How to Cook Frozen Broccoli

Frozen broccoli is a nutritious, cost-effective alternative to fresh broccoli. Since frozen broccoli is already cut, cleaned, and blanched, using it in your meals can also save you time. You can prepare frozen broccoli on a stovetop, in a microwave, or in an oven.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Reheating Frozen Broccoli on Stovetop

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1
Bring a pot of saltwater to a boil. Fill a pot with water. Stir in a heaping tablespoon of salt. Place the pot on a burner over high heat. Wait for the saltwater to come to a boil.
- Before broccoli is frozen it is blanched (cooked in boiling water and then placed in an ice bath to stop the cooking process). Since the frozen broccoli is precooked, you only need to reheat the broccoli.^{[1]XResearch source}
Add the broccoli to the pot of boiling water. Within 2 to 4 minutes, the broccoli will become bright green and tender. At this point, turn off the burner and remove the pan from the heat.^{[2]XResearch source}
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3
Strain, season, and serve the broccoli. Retrieve a colander and place it over a sink. Pour the contents of the pan into the colander. Transfer the strained broccoli into a serving dish. Season the reheated broccoli to taste and serve hot.
- Popular seasoning options include: salt, pepper, butter, and garlic salt.^{[3]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Steaming Frozen Broccoli on the Stove Top

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1
Bring a pot of water to a simmer. Cover the bottom of the pot with a few inches of water—the steamer basket or sieve must fit snugly inside the pot and should not touch the water. Place the pot on a burner over medium heat. Allow the water to come to a simmer.
- To check the water level, insert the steamer basket or sieve into the pan before bringing the water to a boil. If the water level is too high, pour out some water.
- You must use at least 1 cup water.
Once the water comes to a simmer, place the steamer insert or sieve over the water. Pour the frozen broccoli into the steamer. Cover the pot with a lid.^{[4]XResearch source}
3
Steam the broccoli until tender. Steam the frozen broccoli for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid and use a fork to assess the vegetable’s tenderness. If the broccoli is tender, turn off the burner and remove the pot from the heat.
- If the broccoli is not tender, recover the pot and steam for 1 more minute.^{[5]XResearch source}
4
Season and serve the broccoli. Remove the lid and set it to the side. Use hot pads or cooking mitts to take the steamer basket or sieve out of the pot of simmering water. Transfer the broccoli into a serving dish. Season to taste and serve.
- Popular seasoning options include: salt, pepper, olive oil, and/or garlic salt.^{[6]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Steaming Frozen Broccoli in the Microwave

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1
Prepare the broccoli for steaming. Pour approximately ½ pound frozen broccoli into a microwave safe dish. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If your microwave safe dish does not have a lid, cover it with a microwave safe plate.
- As the water heats up, it will turn into vapor and steam the veggies.
2
Microwave the broccoli for 2 minutes, then stir. Place the dish in the microwave. Set the device's power level to HIGH and steam the broccoli for 2 minutes. Once done, remove the dish from the microwave, take off the lid, and stir the vegetables.
- When you uncover the dish, be aware that steam will escape. To protect yourself from the steam, wear oven mitts or use hot pads.^{[8]XResearch source}
3
Microwave the broccoli for 2 additional minutes. Recover the dish and return it to the microwave. Steam the broccoli for 2 additional minutes. Open the door, remove the dish, and check to see if the broccoli is heated through.
- If it is still cold, return the dish to the microwave and steam the broccoli for 1 minute intervals until heated through.^{[9]XResearch source}
4
Strain and serve the broccoli. Grab a colander and place it over a sink. Pour the contents of the dish into a strainer. Once the excess water is removed, transfer the frozen broccoli into a serving dish. Season the broccoli to taste and serve.
- Common seasonings include salt, pepper, and/or butter.^{[10]XResearch source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Roasting Frozen Broccoli in the Oven

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1
Preheat the oven to 400˚F and prep the baking sheet. After turning on your oven, pull out a baking sheet and a roll of parchment paper. Tear off a sheet of parchment paper the size of the baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Instead of parchment paper, you may cover the pan with non-stick cooking spray.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Toss the frozen broccoli in oil and seasoning. Once the oven is preheated, place ½ pound frozen broccoli into a mixing bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the frozen florets and season to taste. Use a spoon to toss the broccoli in the oil and seasoning. Spread the contents of the bowl—including the excess oil—onto the baking sheet.
- Seasoning options include: salt, pepper, garlic, and/or garlic salt.^{[12]XResearch source}
3
Roast the broccoli for 20 minutes then flip. Place the broccoli in the oven and set a timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Use a spatula to turn the broccoli.
- As you flip the broccoli, do your best to redistribute the excess oil and seasonings as well.^{[13]XResearch source}
4
Return the broccoli to the oven to brown. Reinsert the pan into the oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, assess the broccoli’s color. If the broccoli has minor brown batches, remove it from the oven and serve hot.
- If the broccoli hasn’t browned, return the pan to the oven. Monitor the broccoli to ensure that it does not burn. Once it is speckled with brown spots, remove the pan from the oven and serve hot.^{[14]XResearch source}

Recipes

Sample Stovetop Frozen Broccoli Recipe

Sample Steamed Frozen Broccoli Recipe

Sample Microwave Garlic Parmasean Frozen Broccoli Recipe

Sample Roasted Frozen Broccoli Recipe

Community Q&A

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Question
Can I saute thawed frozen broccoli?
Zachary William Joubert
Community Answer
The texture will suffer minimally, but any change will be barely noticeable if too much water was not present on the broccoli. You can saute almost all veggies during winter months that are frozen late fall. Okra, onions, garlic and broccoli are all good to use from the freezer, given proper storage.
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