Sauteed Broccoli (in 10 minutes!)
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This delicious sauteed broccoli dish uses a simple technique to create a crispy outside and tender inside. It’s an easy recipe that helps you create flavor-packed garlic broccoli in a few steps. With this recipe, you’ll learn how to saute broccoli so you can always have a quick, tasty side or main dish.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
Easy – This sauteed broccoli dish is great for cooks of all skill levels.
Quick – This easy sautéed broccoli recipe is ready in only 10 minutes (including prep time!).
Delicious – Simple seasoning helps keep this dish fresh tasting while adding flavour.
Flavourful – Bold garlic makes this recipe flavour-packed.
Minimal ingredients – This dish includes only a handful of ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen/pantry.
Budget-friendly – This entire sauteed broccoli recipe costs £1.38, so it’s a great option for a budget-friendly
Here are a few more easy veggie recipes to enjoy during the week: Baked Orzo Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables, Easy Vegetable Rice Pilaf, or 10 Minute Vegetable Noodle Soupdish/meal.
Ingredients
Broccoli
Broccoli is the star of the show with this recipe. However, you can also use the seasoning with other veggies, like cauliflower or green beans. Depending on the veg you use, you may need to adjust the cook time.
Garlic Cloves
The way to add flavour to this dish is with garlic cloves. If you’re short on time, you can use already minced garlic to save a few minutes.
Olive Oil
For this sauteed broccoli, ensure you use a neutral oil that can handle higher temps, like olive or avocado oil.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Prepping broccoli
How to wash broccoli
I prefer to do a quick soak for this sauteed broccoli, as it helps get any bugs/dirt off of the veg. You will need 2 2/3 cups cold water and 1/3 cup white vinegar. Once you have your bowl with water and vinegar, add the broccoli in. Allow it to sit in the water mixture for about two minutes. Then, drain the water and rinse the broccoli well.
How to trim and cut broccoli
When cutting broccoli for this broccoli garlic saute, it’s essential to cut the pieces in equal sizes so it cooks evenly. Slice off the stem of the broccoli, leaving a small amount under the florets. Then, slice each floret off. If you like eating the stem, you can also slice it up and include it in this recipe.
How To Saute Broccoli
How long to saute broccoli
It should take about nine minutes to saute broccoli. The final cook time will depend on how large you slice the pieces for this sauteed broccoli dish. You’ll know the broccoli is done when it’s fork-tender.
Can you use frozen broccoli
If you want to turn this dish into a quicker recipe, you can use frozen broccoli. However, they will not crisp up like fresh broccoli.
How To Make Broccoli Taste Good
What spices go well with broccoli?
I go for simple seasoning in this sauteed broccoli dish. I believe garlic, salt, and pepper make the broccoli shine. However, you can also add Cajun spices, red pepper flakes, or cumin/paprika if you want a bit of heat. Don’t add the spices too early, though, as they’ll burn and result in not a great flavour!
Add some fat
Using olive oil (or a similar fat) helps make quick broccoli recipes taste delicious. For one, it keeps the broccoli from burning as it cooks. It also helps create richness in the dish.
Serving Ideas
This delicious sauteed broccoli has a simple flavour that pairs well with many dishes. It’s great as a side dish to options like fried tofu, Mongolian beef, spaghetti and meatballs, etc.
Consider adding some protein if you want to turn sauteed garlic broccoli into a main dish. For example, you can toss some cooked chicken strips into this garlicky broccoli for a more filling meal.
Variations/ Adaptations
You can elevate this simple sauteed broccoli dish by slightly switching the ingredients/seasoning. Here are a few ideas for an even yummier recipe. Try sprinkling parmesan cheese on top or add a dash of soy sauce/fish sauce at the end. Swap olive oil for avocado oil and use pink Himalayan sea salt instead of regular salt.
You can also use broccolini instead of broccoli for a slightly sweeter, milder taste. Toss the broccoli with Cajun seasoning or another fiery spice mixture for some heat. You can also top the broccoli with a balsamic drizzle if you prefer tangier dishes.
How to make sauteed broccoli
- Start by chopping the broccoli stalks into small pieces on a chopping board (Image 1).
- Then cut the broccoli head into florets (Image 2).
3. Then add the olive oil into a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped stalks into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Fry for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally (Image 3).
4. Add the broccoli florets into the pan and toss to coat in oil. Evenly distribute across the pan and season with salt and pepper (Image 4).
5. Cover with a lid and leave to fry over a medium heat for 3 minutes (Image 5).
6. At this point the broccoli should have taken on some nice colour (Image 6).
7. Add the garlic into the pan and continue to fry for around 3 minutes, now uncovered (Image 7).
8. Once tender, serve with an optional squeeze of lemon and dig in! (Image 8).
Here are some other side dishes for you to try ; Israeli Couscous (Pearl Couscous Recipe) and Creamy White Beans with Parmesan (Cannellini Beans)
Tips for the best result
Don’t skip the oil
As mentioned, the oil in this dish helps add flavour/richness. It also helps prevent the sauteed broccoli from burning.
Avoid overcooking the broccoli
If you overcook the broccoli, it can burn or become soggy (depending on how much oil/liquid is in the pan). Overcooking broccoli also removes some of the nutrients from it. For the best results, cook the broccoli until it’s fork-tender.
Add cheese for more flavour
You can easily boost the taste of this dish by adding some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. Add a sprinkle of cheese after serving. The broccoli should still be warm enough that the cheese melts without adding heat.
Use leftover broccoli with these yummy recipes: Broccoli Pesto Orzo, Creamy Vegan Broccoli and Kale Soup, or Broccoli Pesto Pizza.
Storage instructions
Once you’ve cooked sauteed broccoli, allow it to fully cool. Then, pack it into an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to five days.
Reheat instructions
Reheating sauteed broccoli is quite easy. Simply pop a serving into the microwave and heat for about 45 seconds. If you want to re-crisp your broccoli, put it on a baking sheet and heat it in the oven at 350F. It will take about five minutes.
Freezing instructions
You can also freeze sauteed broccoli with garlic. Ensure it’s packed in an airtight baggie or container. Then, keep the sauteed broccoli in the freezer for up to one month. Reheat the broccoli in the oven or toss it in a wok with a small amount of oil for a crispier texture. As a note, the broccoli will not be as crispy after it has been frozen.
For the veggie lovers, here are some healthy soup recipes for you to try ; Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque, Courgette Soup and Celeriac Soup
FAQS
I prefer sauteeing broccoli (like in this sauteed broccoli dish), as it adds a delicious crisp to the exterior. Steamed broccoli is also great, but it’s easy for it to turn mushy.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli to create pan fried broccoli. However, there will be a texture difference. It won’t crisp up like fresh broccoli.
Yes, you can use minced garlic instead of fresh/sliced garlic. It will still provide a yummy flavour.
No, you can use a skillet or another similar pan. I recommend a wok, as it holds heat more evenly, so you can whip up recipes quickly.
There are a few small differences between sauteeing and pan frying. For one, when pan-frying food, you’ll use more oil. Additionally, pan-frying typically requires a lower temperature than sauteeing.
No, adding water will not make the broccoli mushy. The key is only adding a small amount of water, as it will evaporate as the broccoli cooks.
Yes, you can saute broccoli (like in this recipe!).
Create a more satisfying meal by adding these mains alongside the sauteed broccoli: Chicken Katsu Curry, Viral Salmon Rice Bowl, or 5 Ingredient Spaghetti Chorizo Carbonara.
If you tried this Sauteed Broccoli recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Sauteed Broccoli (in 10 minutes!)
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli, sliced into florets and stalks chopped (£0.69)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced (£0.39)
- Optional lemon juice (£0.30)
Cupboard Essentials
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
Method
- Start by adding the olive oil into a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped stalks into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Fry for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the broccoli florets into the pan and toss to coat in oil. Evenly distribute across the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and leave to fry over a medium heat for 3 minutes,
- At this point the broccoli should have taken on some nice colour. Add the garlic into the pan and continue to fry for around 3 minutes, now uncovered.
- Once tender, serve with an optional squeeze of lemon and dig in!
Notes
- Don’t skip the oil as this helps add flavour/richness. It also helps prevent the sauteed broccoli from burning.
- Avoid overcooking the broccoli, as it can burn or become soggy (depending on how much oil/liquid is in the pan). Overcooking broccoli also removes some of the nutrients from it. For the best results, cook the broccoli until it's fork-tender.
- You can easily boost the taste of this dish by adding some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. The broccoli should still be warm enough that the cheese melts without adding heat.
Nutrition
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