This super easy, quick recipe for Lemon Garlic Broccoli may surely become your new favorite. The broccoli has great texture with bright, fresh flavor!
Who is trying to eat more vegetables this year? Truth be told for most of my life uncooked vegetables have been my favorite. But in the winter, it’s too cold for that. Then there are vegetables whose flavor changes significantly enough when they are cooked (cauliflower) that it’s like eating a completely DIFFERENT vegetable (it’s why there is cheese sauce).
Broccoli was the first vegetable I learned to cook. It was in my wok in college (all the cool college kids had one). I had a stir fry cookbook from Sunset Magazine I think. I just remember laboriously cutting the broccoli into florets than making an X in the stalk of the floret per this cookbook. Apparently, it helps the broccoli cook more uniformly? Who knows. That was a long time ago in a land far, far away.
I really do love broccoli. It has a bit of a nutty taste when cooked. I love the crunch of it and always cook it so it still has a bite to it. I’m sure you’ve been at a buffet sometime and scooped some emerald green broccoli onto your plate expecting a crunch in the bite only to realize if you had no teeth you still could comfortably eat it. Yuck.
I have a super easy, delicious, fun-flavored broccoli recipe to share today: Lemon Garlic Broccoli. It’s steamed before quickly being tossed in some hot olive oil that has been infused with (you guessed it) garlic and lemon. It has five ingredients but two are from the same thing so it seems like only four.
I love this recipe, especially at this time of year. It is light and healthy, with great flavor which makes it more satisfying too. The recipe takes about 15 minutes total to make. The Lemon Garlic Broccoli is great on its own and pairs easily as a side dish with all sorts of proteins. You could throw leftovers on a salad too.
I have included a sorely ignored part of the broccoli into the recipe: the stalk. Do you eat the broccoli stem? It has a wonderful sweet flavor and nice texture. The very bottom of the stalk can have a woody consistency and we won’t use that. The area just below the florets though (3-4 inches) is not to be missed. In fact I made a fun spiralizer recipe with broccoli stalks: Spiralized Broccoli-Stem Carrot Slaw with Dried Cranberries. You have been throwing away your favorite part of the broccoli!
One quick step turns ordinary steamed broccoli into this fresh, flavorful Lemon Garlic Broccoli recipe. Quick to prepare and a great compliment to any main dish.
Lemon Garlic Broccoli
Light lemon flavors make this brocoli a mouthwatering side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Broccoli (approximately 1 pound)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 large Garlic Cloves , peeled and diced
- Zest of one Lemon
- Juice of Half a Lemon
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water with a steamer insert (or that will fit a steamer basket of some type) to a boil. While the water is heating, cut the broccoli into florets. Cut the woody bottom of the stalk off and discard; peel the remaining upper stalk and slice into 1/8-inch thick slices.
- Place the florets and stalk slices in the steamer to steam for 3-4 minutes.
- While the broccoli is steaming, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and ¾ of the lemon zest; sauté allowing the oil to become fragrant (1-2 minutes).
- Add the broccoli and toss to coat. Drizzle the lemon juice over the broccoli, toss, and remove from heat. Add to a serving bowl and sprinkle the remaining lemon zest on top.
Rachel Ferrucci says
This looks amazing. I do love my veggies and broccoli is one of my favorites! I love lemon with my broccoli and I add vinegar when I do it cold
Toni Dash says
Really?! What an interesting idea, the vinegar. I definitely will give that a try soon.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds amazing. I make broccoli all the time, and it can get boring. Thanks for this great recipe!
Jen Rattie says
I have to try this! We usually have broccoli covered in cheese sauce. Which, of course, completely takes away the entire health factor.
Colleen Lanin says
This recipe sounds so good! I love healthy recipes that go heavy on flavor without going heavy on calories. I’ll definitely be serving this in the very near future.
Toni Dash says
Yes! I’ll admit that is part I really like (low calories).
Kristen Chidsey says
I love lemon and broccoli together, but really love that you included the stems in this recipe–so smart.
Shauna says
Broccoli is one of my favorite side dishes, yet it tends to get boring so I love this recipe. What a great way to add some delicious tastes together in one dish. Thanks so much for sharing.
Diana Rambles says
What a fun new spin on broccoli. I had no idea about cutting an X in the stalk. I’ll try that next time.
Tara says
I love my broccoli with a bit of a crunch left to it and the stalks are quite good. I love the simplicity of this recipe.
Reesa Lewandowski says
What a great way to serve up broccoli and add some flavor! This looks delicious!
Marcie W. says
Broccoli is a family favorite around here, even with the kids. This lemon garlic version sounds like the perfect side!
Kathy says
This sounds great. I love broccoli too. My girls are probably going to love this as well. We all love broccoli. I can’t wait to give it a try.
Ann Bacciaglia says
This recipe is going to be perfect with my roast chicken this weekend. I am always looking for new ways to make broccoli.
Sarah Bailey says
Broccoli and cheese is one of our favorites. I will have to give this a try instead!
Jennifer says
I am all about the broccoli these days. I am going to have to check this one out.
Alicia says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! Looks like a delicious way to get my veggies in!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This looks like a great recipe.
My dad is going more away from flour dishes; this will come in handy.
Kecia says
Yeah, this sounds a lot healthier than the broccoli and cheese my boys love. We sometimes have it fresh with a salad too. But I bet the lemon really adds to the taste of the veggie!
Jeanine says
This looks delicious. A few of my kids are obsessed with broccoli so this would be lovely to try, and different. I always get bored with the same ‘ol so this would be a nice change!
Nancy Polanco says
This is my Hubs favorite. Will have to try it like this, thanks!
Tess says
This looks like a great recipe. I’ve got to add it to our dinner some time.
Danielle says
I literally eat broccoli every day for lunch. This would be a good way to perk it up a little! I do use lemon on a regular basis, but not garlic. I also hate mushy broccoli; a little bite is always good. Any healthy…I’m glad this recipe stays healthy. It’s always easy to come up with new ideas for broccoli if you’re adding cheese, butter, cream, etc. This is great, thanks.
Our Family World says
I think I’m throwing away my chances of having a good meal with Broccoli. You just made it more enticing for me with the lemon garlic toss!
Kiwi says
Wow I never had broccoli like this before. I bet this will give in an additional fresh flavor!
Cassie Tucker says
What a great way to spice up a side dish! I can only imagine how good the lemon and garlic will taste together.
dawn says
i love broccoli..but i have never tried it with lemon. this looks great.
Brianne says
Oh this looks so yummy! I am always looking for new ways to make veggies!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
That looks so good! I love broccoli!