This boiled broccoli comes out perfectly crisp tender and bright green! Spritz with lemon and drizzle with olive oil, and it’s a healthy and easy side dish.
I’m not kidding when I say that my family is obsessed with this boiled broccoli recipe! I know, boiling broccoli doesn’t sound like something that would inspire an obsession. But my kids actually request this weekly (they call it “soft broccoli”).
Salted and seasoned with olive oil and a spritz of lemon, it’s a favorite of the whole family: and I love that it’s so much faster than a pan of roasted broccoli. In fact, the florets come out perfectly bright green and crisp tender after just 2 minutes in hot water. Here’s exactly how to boil broccoli!
How to make boiled broccoli
My boiling method is one the easiest methods for how to cook broccoli, and there’s really no technique involved. There’s only one thing to remember: don’t overcook the broccoli! Even just a minute longer in that boiling water and it will become unappealing mush. Here’s exactly what to do (or jump to the recipe):
- Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli: Remove any leaves from the broccoli stems and rinse the heads under cold water. Cut into medium-sized florets, keeping the stems as long as possible for the best presentation.
- Step 2: Boil the Water: Fill a large pot with water—you want enough to completely submerge all your broccoli florets. Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Step 3: Add the Broccoli: Carefully add all florets to the boiling water at once. The water temperature will drop initially, but it should return to a boil within 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Cook and Test: Boil for exactly 2½ to 3 minutes, starting your timer when the water returns to a boil. At the 2-minute mark, fish out a floret with a slotted spoon and take a bite. It should be tender but still have a slight crunch.
- Step 5: Drain Immediately: As soon as the broccoli reaches perfect doneness, drain it immediately in a colander. Don’t let it sit in the hot water for even a few extra seconds.
- Step 6: Season and Serve: Transfer to your serving bowl and immediately drizzle with olive oil and kosher salt to taste.
Tips for chopping broccoli
A nice way to cut florets for boiled broccoli is to keep the stems as long as possible. If you cut the stems short and stubby, you’ll end up with tiny florets that make a mess on the plate and look less appetizing. Here’s how to chop broccoli so it looks the best:
- Keep the stems as long as possible. When you chop the floret, cut it at the base of where the floret attaches to the main stem. This makes for the best shape.
- Make the florets medium sized, as similar in size as possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but keeping the florets similar sized helps them to cook at the same rate.
More great ways to cook broccoli? Try my Roasted Broccoli, Steamed Broccoli, or Sauteed Broccoli recipes.
Blanching vs boiling
Is this recipe actually blanched broccoli? (Great question.) Almost! Blanching is a cooking method for boiling vegetables until they’re crisp tender, then plunging them into ice water to stop the cooking process.
This boiled broccoli recipe technically isn’t blanching because it doesn’t use ice water. The ice water is used to keep the veggies as colorful as possible. You’ll notice that this recipe is beautifully bright green, but leftovers can become more yellow in color depending on how long you boil them.
Ways to season this boiled broccoli
The key to great-tasting boiled broccoli is the seasonings! First and foremost, I like to make sure to salt it perfectly to taste (under seasoned broccoli is never a winner). If you’re looking for some adders, here are some ways to take it over the top:
- Feta cheese or goat cheese crumbles
- Shredded Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
- A shake or two of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds
- Slivered toasted almonds or toasted pine nuts
- Grated garlic or fresh ginger
- Panko and dried herbs
Dietary notes
This boiled broccoli recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
The florets should be tender enough to pierce easily with a fork but still have a slight firmness when you bite into them. They should maintain their bright green color throughout.
Yes! Vegetables with similar cooking times work well together. Try adding snap peas or green beans. Just keep in mind that different vegetables may need slightly different cooking times.
Absolutely! Salting the water seasons the broccoli from the inside out and enhances its natural flavor. I use about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt per large pot of water.
Boiled broccoli is best served immediately for optimal texture and color. However, you can boil it up to 2 hours ahead and serve at room temperature with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice.
Both methods are healthy! Boiling may cause a small amount of nutrient loss compared to steaming, but the difference is minimal with such a short cooking time. The most important thing is eating vegetables, regardless of the cooking method!
Boiled Broccoli (Surprisingly Easy & Delicious!)
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeBoiled broccoli comes out perfectly crisp tender and bright green! Spritz with lemon and drizzle with olive oil, and it’s a healthy and easy side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiled
- Cuisine: Vegetables
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (2 large heads) broccoli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into florets.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and boil them for 2 ½ to 3 minutes until bright green and crisp tender, taste testing often (basically, don’t leave the pot!). Once they’re cooked, drain into a colander.
- Place in the serving dish and stir in the olive oil, lemon juice, and kosher salt. Taste and add additional seasoning to taste.
Other broccoli recipes you might enjoy
Aside from our basic broccoli recipes, we’ve got lots of other great ways to cook it! Here are some favorites:
- This broccoli potato soup is creamy, satisfying, and 100% plant based!
- Broccoli and cheese is the best fast and easy side dish! A fan favorite.
- This shrimp and broccoli comes together in minutes for a fast and easy healthy dinner.
- A broccoli stir fry makes this green vegetable taste irresistible!
- Here’s how to steam broccoli in microwave: it tastes just as good as stovetop!
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/dtC4ASm
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