Boiled Broccoli
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure).
Boiled Broccoli is such an easy recipe! You’ll turn to this method again and again for perfectly cooked broccoli to serve as a side dish or add to a main course.
Boiled Broccoli Seasoning
This broccoli comes out tender crisp and delicious as is, or you can add seasonings to taste. Try chili pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or even paprika.
And boiling broccoli is super easy! First, you take these cute little florets and you pop them into a pot of boiling water for just a few minutes until they’re nice and soft but still a little crunchy. Once they turn bright green, you know they’re ready. Drain off the water and season them up with a pinch of salt and maybe a dash of pepper for some extra zing. It’s a delicious and healthy side dish that’s perfect for adding some green goodness to your meal.
Looking for more recipes featuring broccoli? We’ve got plenty of flavorful ideas! Check out Sautéed Broccoli Recipe (How To Cook Broccoli On A Frying Pan), Shrimp and Broccoli Spicy Garlic Stir-Fry, and Broccoli Apple Salad (Healthy No Mayo).
How To Make Boiled Broccoli
You’ll need broccoli florets for this recipe, so if you start with a head of broccoli, you’ll need to chop off the stem and cut the top into separate florets.
Fill a cooking pot about halfway full with water. You need just enough water to cover the broccoli while it is cooking. Turn heat to high.
Once water is boiling, add in the broccoli. Cook for about 2-4 minutes, or until broccoli is tender-crisp. To check doneness, use a slotted spoon to pull out one floret and check to see if it cooked to your liking.
After broccoli cooks, turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon (or colander) to move broccoli from water to a serving plate or bowl.
Season to taste with your choice of seasonings. We used a sprinkle of pepper in this recipe.
Cooking Tips
- Optional: add a teaspoon of salt to the water to subtly flavor the broccoli
- Water should be at a rolling boil when you add the broccoli in
- Cook broccoli until it is tender to your liking, it will take about 2-5 minutes
Why Should Broccoli Be Well-Drained After Boiling?
Well-draining the boiled broccoli is important so the broccoli does not become mushy. Use a slotted spoon or colander to remove broccoli from the water before serving.
What To Serve With Boiled Broccoli
This perfectly cooked broccoli would be delicious alongside home-style dinners like Air Fryer Cube Steak Recipe, Air Fryer Panko Chicken, or Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs.
Or add this tasty broccoli to boost the veggie count in dishes like Instant Pot Ramen Noodles, Easy Oven Baked Salmon Kabobs Skewers Recipe, or Chili Lime Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.
More Easy Recipes For Cooking Vegetables
Rainbow Vegetables Recipe (Easy Healthy Oven Roasted Veggies)
More Broccoli Recipes
Boiled Broccoli
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb broccoli florets
- 1 tsp salt optional
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Fill a cooking pot about halfway full with water. You need just enough water to cover the broccoli while it is cooking. Turn heat to high.
- Once water is boiling, add in the broccoli. Cook for about 2-4 minutes, or until broccoli is tender-crisp. To check doneness, use a slotted spoon to pull out one floret and check to see if it cooked to your liking.
- After broccoli cooks, turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon (or colander) to move broccoli from water to a serving plate or bowl.
- Season to taste with your choice of seasonings. We used a sprinkle of pepper in this recipe.
Notes
- Optional: add a teaspoon of salt to the water to subtly flavor the broccoli
- Water should be at a rolling boil when you add the broccoli in
- Cook broccoli until it is tender to your liking, it will take about 2-5 minutes
Nutrition
See Also:
- Pork Tenderloin Cooked In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Tilapia
- Air Fryer Bone-In Center Cut Pork Chops
I’m glad you posted this recipe. Boiling a vegetable seems basic and obvious, but those feelings come from decades of doing so. We all had to learn somehow and hopefully your guidance will save others from the awful, mushy, overcooked stuff that I started with!
Love this basic and easy recipe for broccoli.