RECIPE FOR GARLIC BROCCOLI (2024)

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If you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish that is sure to satisfy then this recipe for Garlic Broccoli is it! It’s made with only 4 simple ingredients but packs an undeniably delicious flavour that will be loved by all!

You can’t go wrong with broccoli, am I right? It’s a favourite in this house. Whether we’re munching it raw in this Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon, having it perfectly roasted straight from the oven or sneaking it into some Vegan Mac and Cheese, week after week it’s always on the top of my grocery list. Pair it with some perfectly crisp thinly sliced garlic and now we’re talkin’ cause you and I both know that garlic just makes everything better. After just one bite, I’m sure you will agree that although this flavour combo may be as simple as it gets, it’s one you’re going to want to keep making on repeat.

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I know I’m not the only one that’s all for easy and versatile side dishes. And there’s nothing better than when easy is also quick and delicious. Garlic Broccoli fits that description perfectly. It goes well with virtually any meal, comes together in just 15 minutes and is great for busy weeknights. It’s crisp yet tender and the little almost burnt but delicious bits of sliced garlic are truly it’s match made in Heaven. You can even easily customize this recipe for Garlic Broccoli by adding things such as parmesan cheese, soy sauce or chili flakes. But rest assured, the delicious combo of garlic and broccoli is pure magic all on it’s own.

If you’re a broccoli lover who also firmly believes that garlic truly makes everything better, then I don’t think I have to convince you to add this simple Garlic Broccoli to your meal plan for this week!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE FOR GARLIC BROCCOLI

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Yup, that’s right. All you need are 4 simple ingredients to make this recipe for Garlic Broccoli. And that’s if we’re counting the salt and pepper. Because there are so few ingredients in this recipe for Garlic Broccoli, you want to make sure everything you’re using is fresh and of good quality. Let’s discuss them in a little bit more detail down below:

  • Broccoli: Well, duh! Broccoli is the star of the show when it comes to this quick, healthy and simple to make side dish. Broccoli is high in Fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron and Potassium. Since broccoli is the main ingredient and bulk of this recipe, go for as big of a head as you can find. I like using fresh broccoli but you could also use frozen in a pinch.
  • Garlic: The other star of the show and pairs perfectly well with the broccoli. It’s crispy edges and distinct garlic flavour add deliciousness to the dish. If you’re a fellow garlic lover, you could probably agree that the crispy cooked garlic bits are the best part of this dish! Fresh thinly sliced garlic works best in this recipe.
  • Olive Oil: Adds flavour to this recipe for Garlic Broccoli. As always, good quality, extra virgin works best. However, you can use a different oil, such as avocado, or even butter instead if you prefer.
  • Salt/Pepper: Adds flavour and balance to the dish.
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HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BROCCOLI (KEY TIPS)

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You can find full instructions for how to make this healthy recipe for Garlic Broccoli in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:

  • Cut the florets into even bite sized pieces to ensure even cooking in the same amount of time.
  • Blanch the broccoli in boiling salted water for a couple of minutes first. This will soften them up before cooking as well as brighten their natural green colour. EXTRA TIP: To stop the broccoli from cooking further after blanching, drain them and run them under cold water.
  • Thinly slice the garlic. As oppose to a mince or a dice, you want to thinly slice your garlic for best results. It’ll crisp up nicely in the oil rather than burn. You really want to taste those crispy bits in your final dish! On that note, keep an eye on the garlic as it’s cooking and stir frequently to make sure it doesn’t burn. Burnt garlic will taste bitter and ruin your overall dish.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Add more salt and pepper, if needed. Or try drizzling it with an extra squirt of olive oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, grated parmesan cheese, chili flakes or balsamic if you want to change things up a bit and are feeling a little adventurous.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CUT GARLIC TO MAKE GARLIC BROCCOLI?

You want to cut your garlic into very THIN slices. Don’t finely mince or grate it or it’ll burn in the first step of the recipe. A sharp kitchen knife and careful hands should get the job done just fine. Thin slices cooked in enough oil will crisp up nicely rather than burn giving us the perfect crispy garlic we need in this recipe.

HOW LONG DOES GARLIC BROCCOLI LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

If stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge, this Garlic Broccoli will last about 4 days. To reheat, simply toss it in some olive oil in a skillet until heated through, use a microwave or reheat on a sheet tray in an oven.

WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH GARLIC BROCCOLI?

This Garlic Broccoli is a great side dish for so many meals. Serve it up with your favourite sandwich or burgers, next to all your favourite chicken recipes, with this Greek style pork souvlaki or these delicious homemade meatballs. Add it to spaghetti squash or pasta or to soups, stews, stir frys, bowls and/or all your favourite broccoli dishes.

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Yield: 4 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

If you're looking for a quick and easy side dish that is sure to satisfy then this recipe for Garlic Broccoli is it! It's made with only 4 simple ingredients but packs an undeniably delicious flavour that will be loved by all!

Ingredients

  • 1 large head Broccoli, trimmed and cut into bite sized florets
  • 3-4 Garlic Cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 2 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and barely tender. Drain, run under cold water and set aside.
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  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until crispy but not burnt.
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  3. Add the broccoli, salt and pepper and toss to combine. Cook a few additional minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the broccoli and garlic are cooked and crisp to your liking.
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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 59Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.

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RECIPE FOR GARLIC BROCCOLI (2024)

FAQs

How do restaurants make broccoli so good? ›

How do restaurants make broccoli so good? Restaurants often blanch broccoli first to ensure it's cooked quickly and evenly, maintaining a vibrant color and crisp texture.

What seasoning is good on broccoli? ›

It's definitely hard to find a spice or herb that doesn't work with broccoli or broccolini. Any combination of garlic, salt, pepper and any classic herbs, (basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, tarragon, thyme, etc.,) is a surefire way to treat these veggies right.

How do you make broccoli taste good without adding calories? ›

SALT! And/or pepper or other dry seasonings. A little lemon or lime juice can also simmer down some of the bitter flavors and make the dish much more interesting and flavorful. Technically adds a tiny bit to the calorie count, but not enough to actually matter in a real sense.

Is it better to boil or bake broccoli? ›

In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking. All cooking treatments, except steaming, caused great losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C. Only boiling and stir-frying/boiling caused the loss of total carotenoids.

Why does Chinese restaurant broccoli taste so good? ›

Even adults don't enjoy eating their vegetables sometimes. The high water content in some veggies renders them a bit bland on their own, so many people would prefer to make them palatable by adding various ingredients.

How do Chinese restaurants get broccoli so crispy? ›

The Chinese broccoli needs to cook as fast as possible, so that the nutrients and color don't have as much opportunity to leach out into the water. It's best to start with as much boiling water as you can. Restaurants serve amazingly green and crunchy Chinese broccoli because they use huge amounts of boiling water.

What season is best for broccoli? ›

A cool weather vegetable, broccoli thrives in the winter and spring, but is grown year-round in warm climates like California. The best season for broccoli is October through April. When selecting broccoli at the grocery store, choose florets with firm stems and dark green buds.

Should I season broccoli before or after cooking? ›

Cook, covered, for 2 to 4 minutes more, until the broccoli is tender but still bright green. Finally, season. Remove the cooked broccoli from the heat, and season it with a big squeeze of lemon juice and more salt and pepper to taste. If you like, sprinkle on some red pepper flakes, too.

How do you perk up broccoli? ›

You can soak the broccoli in a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes or more to help it regain its firmness. Another method is to slice off a portion of the stem and place the remaining stem and crown in a pot with a cup of water. Store it in the fridge overnight, and the broccoli will be crisp and fresh in the morning.

How to improve the taste of broccoli? ›

Over-cooking broccoli can result in a tasteless mush. A quick saute with garlic and a splash of water, that is enough to not only cook this under-appreciated vegetable but also retain all it's flavour and nutrition.

Which cooking method is best for broccoli? ›

The easiest way to cook broccoli is to blanch it. Blanching is a process in which the broccoli is submerged in boiling water for only a few minutes, then transferred into an ice bath to keep it from overcooking and turning mushy. The broccoli florets will turn a vibrant shade of green and maintain a much-needed crunch.

What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli? ›

Moreover, too much exposure to high temperatures destroys the enzyme that converts the inactive glucosinolates to active compounds. Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds.

Why is roasted broccoli so good? ›

Roasted broccoli is so easy to make, and the florets come out of the oven deliciously golden brown, crisp, and tender. I have a hard time not eating them all straight off the sheet pan, but they're also a fantastic addition to all sorts of recipes and a yummy side dish on their own.

Why add milk to water when cooking broccoli? ›

In the middle of the cooking water may be added to the milk to aid in preventing leaching of calcium from bones by the microelements contained in broccoli.

How to cook broccoli to avoid gas? ›

Cooking: Raw broccoli is a common component of vegetable/dip platters at parties and events, of course, but eating it raw is actually more likely to lead to gas. Instead, by steaming or microwaving it, your body will have an easier time breaking it down.

Why do restaurant vegetables taste so good? ›

Many restaurants roast or pan-fry their vegetable side dishes in bacon, butter, or other animal fat – or a mixture of these. Why? Because it makes veggies taste richer, more flavorful, and saltier than they would if you cooked them at home, which encourages you and other customers to keep coming back for more.

How do restaurants keep broccoli green? ›

Use one teaspoon salt per 1 cup of water. Salt provides a “barrier” against carbon dioxide, which prevents chlorophyll from changing color. Make sure that you have enough water in your pot so that all of the broccoli is floating in it.

How do chefs make vegetables taste good? ›

What Chefs Know About Vegetables (That You Don't)
  1. Recaudo makes everything taste good. ...
  2. Blanch kale to make it more tender. ...
  3. Charring concentrates flavor and heightens sweetness. ...
  4. Shave root veggies into a salad. ...
  5. Swap sweet potatoes in for white ones. ...
  6. Make a luxurious tomato confit. ...
  7. Cook vegetables before marinating them.

What makes broccoli a super food? ›

Broccoli is a great source of antioxidants and may enhance your health by reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control, boosting immunity, and promoting heart health. Why Is Broccoli a Superfood? fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. 27 calories per ½ cup.

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