How to Cook Broccoli

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Broccoli is not only high in vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber, but it's also easy to cook and a nutritious addition to any meal. Whether you're steaming, sautéing, roasting, or blanching the broccoli, it's a tasty veggie that tastes great on its own or with a variety of other meats or vegetables. If you want to know how to cook broccoli, just follow these steps.

Prep time (Steaming): 15 minutes
Cook time: 3-5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Steam Fresh Broccoli

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1
Clean the broccoli. If you bought your broccoli at a commercial grocery store, a thorough rinse is fine. If you grew your own broccoli or bought it at a farm stand, soak the broccoli in salted water for 10 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly.
- Garden-fresh broccoli is prone to cabbage loopers, a common garden pest. In their larval stage, cabbage loopers are green, approximately 1-inch-long worms. Though they're harmless, they can be a real appetite killer. The worms die in the salt water. The cabbage loopers will float to the top of the surface of the water where you can skim them off and dispose of them.
This is the thickest part of the broccoli. The stem of the broccoli is completely edible, but the last inch or so will be a bit tougher and not as tasty. You can eat the stem, or discard part of it.
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Cut the trunks of each floret, or little bunch of broccoli, until you break the florets into several smaller pieces that are easy to work with. If you're not a fan of the stalks, cut just below the crown. If you want to get more mileage from your broccoli, cut farther down the stalk closer to the main stem of the broccoli bunch.
Fill a saucepan with 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water, insert a steamer basket, place a cover on the pan, and place the pan on a burner over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil.
Remove the lid from the pan, place the broccoli florets in the steamer basket, and replace the lid on the pan.
Allow the broccoli to steam for 3 - 5 minutes, depending on how much broccoli you are cooking.
Remove the pan from the burner, and remove the lid immediately. Otherwise, the broccoli will continue cooking and will quickly get soggy.
You can serve the broccoli plain, with sauce or seasoning, or you can incorporate it into another recipe.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Cook Frozen Broccoli

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Just cut or tear the top of the broccoli package to take out the broccoli. It may be easier to cut the package.
2
Cook the broccoli over a stove top. Place the desired portion in a pot with 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of water. Warm it over medium heat just until the water begins to boil. Immediately remove the pot from the burner..
- If you're cooking it in a microwave, cook it for 1 - 3 minutes, depending on the strength of your microwave and the amount of broccoli being cooked. Broccoli should be cooked al dente. If it is still partially frozen, cook it for more time in 30-second increments until it's done, and then remove it from the microwave. Place it in a covered microwave-safe dish with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water.
After you strain the broccoli, you can serve it plain or with seasoning, or incorporate it into another recipe.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Sauté Broccoli

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You should have washed it earlier -- if it's prepackaged from a grocery store, then you don't need to wash it again.^{[1]XResearch source}
Cut the florets, the bushy parts of the broccoli, away from the stems. The stems are completely edible -- just trim or rip off any leaves and make sure you've washed off all the dirt.
of vegetable oil and cook it over medium-high heat. Cook it for at least 30 seconds so it starts to heat up.
Throw in a pinch of salt along with it.
This will coat it in the oil.
The stems will cook a bit more quickly, so they should be added a bit later.
This will mean that it's ready.
Serve the broccoli with other sautéed veggies or on its own.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Roast Broccoli

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If it's wet, it'll end up a bit soggy.
Cut the florets, the bushy parts of the broccoli, away from the stems. The stems are completely edible -- just trim or rip off any leaves and make sure you've washed off all the dirt. You can cut off the last inch or so of the stems, which will be a bit tougher and less tasty.^{[2]XResearch source}
Place it on the sheet in one layer.
Roast it until it's crunchy and a caramelized.
Serve these roasted veggies on their own or with a squeeze of lemon.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Blanch Broccoli

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Cut the florets, the bushy parts of the broccoli, away from the stems. The stems are completely edible -- just trim or rip off any leaves and make sure you've washed off all the dirt. You can cut off the last inch or so of the stems, which will be a bit tougher and less tasty.^{[3]XResearch source}
Make sure it's boiling rapidly.
Cook them until they're crisp-tender, about 45 seconds to 1.5 minutes.
Cook the stems until they're crisp-tender. This should take another 1 - 1.5 minutes. Cook them for another 30 seconds if you'd like softer veggies. Place them in the ice water when you're done.
Enjoy this blanched broccoli in a vegetable platter, cold salad, frittata, or another casserole.

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Can broccoli be stir fried?
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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Broccoli is an ideal stir-fry vegetable. It can either be added as part of a vegetable or meat stir-fry dish, or it can be the staple vegetable of the stir-fry. To prepare broccoli for stir-fry, clean by washing, then break it into small florets. Use as the recipe directs but usually it will cook within 3 to 5 minutes.
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How do you blanch broccoli?
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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Broccoli can be blanched as follows: Wash, then cut into florets. Fill a pan with water and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to boiling, then add the broccoli florets. Allow to boil for 1 to 2 minutes but not more, as you're only wanting it to be semi-cooked. Use as directed or serve immediately with a dollop of butter or a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper for seasoning.
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Is broccoli suitable for making into a purée?
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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Yes, broccoli can be puréed. To do so, choose a cooking method first, such as boiling, steaming or microwaving it. Then remove from the heat and purée it. You can include the stems and these must be cooked a little longer to ensure they can be puréed.
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Tips

Whether you are cooking fresh or frozen broccoli, the first thing to remember is don't overcook it. No one likes eating mushy broccoli.
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