Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

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Updated on Mar 13, 2023

Perfect Sautéed Broccoli! Learn how to cook broccoli in a skillet for an easy, delicious and healthy side dish.

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

Broccoli is one of my go-to veggies when I need an easy side dish to go with our meals. I’ve shared my favorite Roasted Broccoli and Steamed Broccoli recipes, and today I’m sharing my easy method for making perfect crisp-tender sautéed broccoli.

This broccoli is simply seasoned with garlic and lemon and cooks quickly in a skillet on the stove. You’ll love the bright green color, fresh flavor and crisp texture.

Serve this sautéed broccoli alongside your favorite proteins or toss it with pasta for an easy lunch or dinner. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or sesame seeds make it extra irresistible. This good-for-you side is sure to become a favorite of yours, too!

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Sautéed Broccoli Recipe Ingredients

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

You’ll need just a few ingredients to make sautéed broccoli with stand-out flavor:

  • Broccoli: Of course! You’ll start with fresh broccoli crowns, and chop them into florets. Since frozen broccoli has a higher water content, it won’t give you the same crisp results as fresh.
  • Olive Oil: For sautéing the broccoli. I use extra virgin olive oil, but any olive oil will work.
  • Water: Adding a little bit of water to the pan helps to steam-cook the sautéed broccoli to make it tender. It’s hard to get broccoli tender from sautéing alone, without burning the edges.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds flavor.
  • Salt & Pepper: I like to use sea salt or coarse Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Lemon Zest: To brighten up the flavors.

How to Make Sautéed Broccoli

A few simple steps will ensure that you get perfect, crave-worthy sautéed broccoli. You’ll need a large cast iron skillet or other heavy skillet and a lid to cover the skillet. It’s ok if the lid doesn’t fit exactly, as long as it covers the pan to trap the steam inside.

  1. Cut the broccoli into florets. Then cut all but very small florets in half. Quarter any very large florets. You want all of the pieces to be approximately the same size so that they will cook evenly.
  2. Pat the broccoli florets dry to remove any remaining moisture.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the broccoli to the hot pan and use kitchen tongs to arrange the broccoli pieces flat side down in the pan. This step increases the surface area of the broccoli that’s in contact with the pan, so you’ll get more browned, caramelized edges. Cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Then stir and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring the broccoli often. Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (3)
  6. Add the water and cover the pan. Cook for 2 minutes. The steam in the pan will finish cooking the broccoli. Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  7. Uncover the skillet and stir in the minced garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt, pepper and lemon zest. Then serve and enjoy!

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (5)

Serving Suggestions

You can serve the sautéed broccoli as is, or sprinkle on grated Parmesan cheese (my favorite!). For a spicy kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

This easy broccoli goes with just about everything! Try it with Baked Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Salmon, Baked Pork Chops or Chicken Parmesan.

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (6)

More Favorite Broccoli Recipes

If you love this sauteed broccoli, try this Broccoli Stir Fry or one of these easy broccoli recipes next:

  • Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Instant Pot Broccoli
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Broccoli Cheese Quiche
  • Broccoli Casserole

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (7)

Grab a skillet, chop that broccoli and get this fresh and flavorful side dish cooking. Then watch those veggies disappear!

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

5 from 4 ratings

Sautéed Broccoli

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 7 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

How to cook perfect crisp-tender Sautéed Broccoli. You'll love the bright green color and fresh flavors of this easy side dish!

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound broccoli crowns
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt or sea salt, or to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

  • Cut the broccoli into florets. Then cut all but very small florets in half. Quarter any very large florets. Pat dry to remove any moisture on the broccoli.

  • Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or other heavy skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the broccoli to the pan. Use kitchen tongs to turn the pieces so that the flat sides are down against the bottom of the pan. Cook, without stirring, for 3-4 minutes.

  • Then stir the broccoli and continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.

  • Pour in the water and immediately cover the pan. Cook for 2 minutes.

  • Uncover the pan and stir in the minced garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat.

  • Sprinkle the salt, pepper and lemon zest over the broccoli. Stir to distribute. Serve immediately.

Calories: 88kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 184mg, Potassium: 367mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 707IU, Vitamin C: 102mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

5 Ingredients Dairy Free Gluten Free Side Dishes Vegetarian Recipes

posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Mar 17, 2022 (last updated Mar 13, 2023)

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5 comments on “Sautéed Broccoli”

  1. Kelly Reply

    This is so yummy! It’s a perfect broccoli recipe that I know I’m going to make over and over again for my family!

  2. Duaine Reply

    Made the broccoli for dinner and it was a hit. Will be making it again for sure.

  3. Judy Hedlin Reply

    Such a tasty way to cook broccoli! Thanks for sharing

  4. Debbie Reply

    Simple and delicious. Personally, I would use zest of half a lemon.

  5. Jennifer Reply

    I love this recipe! It is the new norm from broccoli preparation in our kitchen. It is simple, delicious and turns out right every time! The lemon zest…brilliant. Game changer!

Leave a comment »

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (Easy & Delicious!) - Kristine's Kitchen? ›

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.

Which cooking technique gives the best results when cooking 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.

Is it better to saute or boil broccoli? ›

Why You'll Love this Sautéed Broccoli: Quick and Easy: All you need is a skillet with a lid + 15 minutes! Healthy: Unlike boiling, which can cause some of the more heat-sensitive nutrients, like vitamin C, to leach out, sautéing helps vegetables retain some of their more delicate nutrients.

What should I season broccoli with? ›

Most often, I enjoy steamed broccoli as a healthy side dish. Before I serve it, I toss it with salt, pepper, olive oil, and a big squeeze of lemon juice so that it's nice and bright. It also tastes fantastic dressed with lemon vinaigrette, vegan ranch, honey mustard dressing, or romesco sauce.

How to make broccoli taste good without making it unhealthy? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

What's the healthiest way to cook broccoli? ›

You can also preserve both nutrients and the enzyme needed to form protective isothiocyanates if you steam broccoli for three or four minutes (just until crisp-tender) or microwave for less than one minute.

Is it better to microwave or boil broccoli? ›

Microwaving is a safe way to cook broccoli and requires less time than steaming. Microwaving is also thought to preserve the nutrients in vegetables most effectively.

Is it better to saute vegetables in oil or butter? ›

Butter is best for sautéing vegetables because it has a low smoking point and adds an incomparable rich, nutty flavor. Start by heating the pan, then swirl butter as it melts to coat the pan before adding your vegetables. Cook over moderate heat to create the perfect texture without burning the butter.

Should I blanch broccoli before stir frying? ›

An expert Chinese chef's tip for making the best broccoli

In this masterclass on how to stir fry broccoli, my dad shares two essential tips for keeping the broccoli nice and crisp. First, blanch the florets! This not only softens the stems, but also stops the enzyme that leads to browning.

Why should broccoli be well drained after boiling? ›

Drain immediately after boiling to prevent the broccoli from becoming mushy. If you like broccoli a little crunchier, boil for 2 minutes. Is boiled broccoli still healthy? Boiled vegetables do lose some nutrients in the cooking water, namely water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and folate.

What spices pair well with 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.

What do you soak broccoli in before cooking? ›

Fill a large bowl with 2 ⅔ cups cold or warm water and ⅓ cup white vinegar. Allow it to soak for 2 minutes, then dump the broccoli into a colander. Rinse the vinegar-treated broccoli very well under running water.

How to cook broccoli for best results? ›

Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill!

Which cooking method is best for broccoli? ›

Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli

Lightly sauteed with garlic and a splash of water. It's that simple. Cooking broccoli in this way retains most of its colour, nutritional value along with that crunch that results in a delicious side dish that even my youngest and pickiest eater enjoys.

Why do you soak broccoli in salt water? ›

Removing Cabbage Worms with Salt Water

If you're making organic or home-grown broccoli, you may be concerned about worms in the florets. To be safe, soak the florets in a brine solution.

What is the best tasting way to eat broccoli? ›

Roasting broccoli is one of my favorite ways to prepare it! It always has so much flavor. And it makes a great side dish and can also be used warm or cold in salads. Tip: Jazz up your roasted broccoli with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Is it better to steam or bake broccoli? ›

In this regards, it is likely that broccoli cooked by steaming will be better fit for human consumption than other cooking methods. In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking.

Which cooking method for broccoli is most likely to preserve nutrients and quality? ›

Steamed broccoli may be one of the healthiest ways to cook broccoli because it's quick and nutrients and vitamins won't be lost in the cooking water, as can be the case with boiled broccoli.

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