Boiled Broccoli

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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.

plate of Boiled Broccoli

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.

pot of Boiled Broccoli

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.

broccoli cooking in a pot

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).

yummy side dish Boiled Broccoli

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.

broccoli florets boiling in a pot of water

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.

slotted spoon removing cooked broccoli from pot

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

Boiled Broccoli with a sprinkle of pepper

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.

forkful of Boiled Broccoli

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.

fork with broccoli floret

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.

vibrant green broccoli in a pot of water

More Easy Recipes For Cooking Vegetables

Rainbow Vegetables Recipe (Easy Healthy Oven Roasted Veggies)

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Fries In The Air Fryer

Smashed Brussels Sprouts In The Air Fryer

Curried Roasted Cauliflower

hand holding fork with boiled broccoli floret

More Broccoli Recipes

Crispy Air Fried Broccoli

Pan Fried Broccoli

Instant Pot Broccoli

Shrimp And Broccoli

Raw Broccoli Apple Slaw

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Boiled Broccoli

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.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 minutes
Total Time9 minutes
Course: Healthy, low-carb, Side Dish, Vegetables
Keyword: Boiled Broccoli
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 39kcal

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
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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 619mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 707IU | Vitamin C: 101mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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!

5 from 2 votes

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