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.

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

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.

HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BROCCOLI (KEY TIPS)

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.

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.

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

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.
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.
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.

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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FAQs

What makes broccoli taste better? ›

Healthiest Way to Cook 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.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the best cooking method for broccoli? ›

Steaming broccoli is quick and easy, and it's considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare the vegetable. Instead of submerging the florets and stem into boiling water or roasting them in the oven, the broccoli is placed in a steamer basket over simmering water and covered with a lid.

Why cut broccoli before cooking? ›

Researchers found that chopping the broccoli and leaving it alone before cooking significantly increased the sulforaphane.

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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 do you take the bitterness out of broccoli? ›

Blanching broccoli in a large pot of salt water releases bitter acids from the plant cells and rinses them away, an action that steaming doesn't provide because of the low level of water involved. Additional measures for neutralizing broccoli's bitterness include tossing it with salt and citrus sauce.

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How to get a picky eater to eat broccoli? ›

If your child is hesitant at first glance, try serving a micro portion of broccoli. A micro portion is a very small portion, about the size of a small sample or even smaller. Micro portions can make a nervous or selective child feel more comfortable around a new food.

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