Learn how to steam broccoli perfectly every time! Seasoned with salt, pepper, and a big squeeze of lemon juice, it's a delicious healthy side dish.
cooking basics / side dishes — Jump to recipe
When I need a super-fast, super-fresh side dish to round out a meal, I make this steamed broccoli recipe. The whole process takes under 10 minutes, prep time and cleanup included, and the results are always delicious. The steamed broccoli is crisp-tender and vibrant green. I love it on its own (the steaming brings out the broccoli’s natural sweetness), but it’s even better with salt, pepper, and a big squeeze of lemon juice on top.
How to Steam Broccoli
My method for how to steam broccoli couldn’t be simpler! Here’s how it goes:
First, prepare the broccoli. Trim off the stalk and cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. If you like, you can also peel, dice, and steam the stalk. Otherwise, save it for another use, like making broccoli rice!
Next, cook.Add the broccoli florets to a steamer basket, and place it in a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pan. Let steam for 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green.
Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to taste. That’s it!
Steamed Broccoli Serving Suggestions
Most often, I enjoy steamed broccoli as a healthy side dish. Before I serve it, I toss it with salt, pepper, olive oil, and a big squeeze of lemon juice so that it’s nice and bright. It also tastes fantastic dressed with lemon vinaigrette, vegan ranch, honey mustard dressing, or romesco sauce.
Once it’s seasoned, steamed broccoli pairs nicely with almost anything – serve it next to a frittata, a baked potato or sweet potato, vegan meatballs, or a hot bowl of soup. I especially love it with pasta. Try pairing it with any of these recipes:
- Fettuccine Alfredo or Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
- Classic Mac and Cheese or Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Best Vegetarian Lasagna
If I’m not serving steamed broccoli as a side dish, I like to add it to grain bowls or toss it with noodles. Try it in my Cashew Broccoli Soba Noodles or my Macro Veggie Bowl. It’d be excellent in this Buddha Bowl and this Power Bowl, too! Steamed broccoli also adds color and texture to this cozy Vegan Broccoli Soup.
How do you like to eat steamed broccoli? Let me know in the comments!
More Vegetable Cooking Basics
If you loved learning how to steam broccoli, try roasting or sautéing it next! Then, experiment with these easy vegetable recipes:
- Sautéed Broccoli Rabe
- How to Cook Fresh Green Beans
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- How to Cook Fennel
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- How to Cook Asparagus
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Or Mixed Roasted Vegetables!
How to Steam Broccoli
rate this recipe:
5 from 9 votes
Prep Time: 3 minutes mins
Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
Serves 4
Save RecipePrint Recipe
This steamed broccoli recipe is my favorite method for cooking broccoli. It takes less than 10 minutes, and the florets are sweet, crisp-tender, and bright green. Serve it as a side dish, or toss it into grain bowls, mac and cheese, and more!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- Water, for steaming
- Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, for seasoning, optional
Instructions
Place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket and set over a pot with 1-inch of water.
Bring the water to a simmer, cover, and let steam 5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.
Season the steamed broccoli with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, as desired.
