Broccoli is a great way to get some healthy green veggies on your plate. These tasty little morsels have plenty of the nutrients you need to help keep your body running, and they're also easy to prepare. Let's review how to cook broccoli, and explore some broccoli recipes that will delight the family and help keep them healthy.
How to pick and store broccoli
The first step to making a delicious broccoli dish is to buy quality product. When you're at the grocery store, look for broccoli with firm, bright green florets. Pass over any florets with yellow spots and any soft stalks.
If you won't use your broccoli right away, store it in the fridge unwashed and loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel. Put it in an open plastic bag or perforated bag in the crisper drawer. That will help it to stay moist and get plenty of air, extending its shelf life.
Different ways to cook broccoli
You can eat broccoli raw, but cooking it really brings it to life. A well-cooked floret of broccoli is a vibrant green and just cries out to be eaten. There are plenty of ways to prepare it.
How to steam broccoli
Steaming broccoli helps bring out its amazing green color. Set it in a steamer basket over boiling water for around five minutes until tender (but not soft). Alternatively, boil it in the water directly for between three and five minutes. We recommend running your broccoli under cold water directly after you drain it to stop it cooking.
How to fry broccoli
You can also put it over direct heat by sauteing or stir-frying, which gives you a chance to add flavorings like garlic or soy sauce. Or you can opt for a more novel ingredient. The secret to this Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli Recipe is McCormick Brown Gravy Mix. Try it out for a deep, rich stir fry surprise that you won't forget in a hurry.
You can also add eggs to a pan-cooked broccoli and get a filling alternative to a stir-fry. This Broccoli and Potato Frittata makes a filling breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Baked and roasted broccoli
Try broccoli in the oven to give it a crisp texture. Tossing it with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet and then roasting for 15-20 minutes at 400°F will bring out all its flavors. Just remember to stir it halfway through for a more even roast. This Roasted Broccoli & Tomatoes recipe mixes one of our favorite vegetables with juicy tomatoes that pop in the mouth. Its stunning color combination adds plenty of visual appeal.
Baking in a casserole dish is another take on oven-cooked broccoli. Our Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole pairs the vegetable with its paler cousin, blending in salty Parmesan cheese and fragrant McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning for a taste of veggie heaven.
If you want an omnivore alternative, check out this Chicken, Broccoli and Rice casserole. It marries juicy chicken tenders with McCormick Garlic Powder and enticing McCormick Rosemary Leaves to create a whole meal in a casserole dish - no sides required.
Broccoli in the slow cooker
Slow cookers are a great way to prepare broccoli. They make excellent casseroles like this five-ingredient Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Casserole, which uses McCormick Original Country Gravy Mix to create a rich, comforting meal.
A thick, creamy broccoli soup is another perfect recipe for slow cooker fans. Our McCormick Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Instant Pot Seasoning Mix is the key ingredient in this Slow Cooker Cheddar Broccoli Soup, which adds cheese and onion for bliss in a bowl.
Other kinds of broccoli
The broccoli we're all most familiar with is the Calabrese variety, with its characteristic large florets. There are other kinds of broccoli you can experiment with, though, including purple broccoli and sprouting broccoli, which is smaller with lots of side shoots. Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan) is a smaller form with a more bitter taste, and tough stems that you must cut before using. It's the basis for the side dish in this delicious Dukkah Crusted Fish with Broccoli & Red Lentils dish. You can get the best of both worlds with broccolini, which blends Gai Lan and Calabrese together.
So, try a little broccoli in your meal plan this week. With so many dishes to choose from, this versatile vegetable will keep your family coming back for seconds. And thirds.
More broccoli dishes
Can't get enough of those little green trees? Here are some other broccoli recipes to try.
