Healthy Sautéed Broccoli With Garlic and Lemon

I bet we all have that one veg that just rubs us the wrong way. We can’t stand to look at it, smell it, or be dared to try a nibble. That’s probably no the best way to start this post but This WAS my relationship with broccoli. However, the following unsuspecting ingredients made the perfect pair!

Steamed broccoli with just enough of a bite, tossed in olive oil infused with garlic and a pinch of salt. Resulting in slightly charred sautéed broccoli, finished with a splash of freshly squeezed lemon. This is a quick and healthy broccoli recipe to make eating vegetables a little more pleasurable.

Careful about scrolling down for the recipe as you might be wishing for a bucketful once you have a taste. But that is not the only way I spruced up the broccoli. If making this for kids then, by all means, keep it nice and simple as in the picture below…. Hahaha this is starting to sound like some gardening theory class. But for real, my hope is that if broccoli is not your star veg then it will be after you try either one of the broccoli recipes below.

It’s perfect as a side and chances are high that your kids just might love it. You can also add it to salads, pasta, or even get creative and blend it into a sandwich spread. Should you be looking for a little heat then try this broccoli recipe spiked with fresh chili.

How to Make Sautéed Broccoli With Chili

First, steam the broccoli and set aside. For this you would need the red bird’s eye fresh chili, size as it seems doesn’t matter because these babies are unpredictable when it comes to heat. Thinly slice the chili if you intend to keep them with the finished dish. Otherwise, large chunks to infuse into the oil will be good enough to make it easy to take them out right before serving.

First step: Let the frying pan get hot over medium-high heat, then pour in the oil and garlic cloves to infuse. Tilt the pan to make a puddle around the garlic and turn them every few seconds. Take out the garlic after 20 seconds or right before they start to brown.

Step two: Toss in the chili and let that sizzle for 10 seconds or until they start to shrivel. Then add in the steamed broccoli. Increase the heat because the broccoli is cooked through and all we want is for it to brown and get those deliciously charred edges we love. Don’t forget to sprinkle in some salt.

How long you sauté the broccoli will depend on you. Why? because you might like broccoli less or more charred.

A minute before you take the broccoli off the fire, squeeze in half a lemon worth of juice over it, toss, and serve.

Simple Sautéed Broccoli Made 2 Ways.

Boil the broccoli (covered: goes quicker) until you can pierce through it with minimal effort. If you like your broccoli with a bit more of a bite compared to overly soft, I suggest you check on it at the 8-minute mark.

There Are Two Ways to Cook the Broccoli Once It Is Boiled:

Stove: After boiling/ steaming the broccoli, you can finish by sautéing it on the stove with some oil infused with garlic (and chili (optional)) for 2-3 minutes. Depending on how charred you would like it to be.

Oven: You could toss the broccoli (florets face down) with the garlic-infused oil and roast in the oven at 230° until charred enough for you. Turn them upside down once the florets are browned to do the same for the stem. Then sprinkle some Parmigiano Reggiano or parmesan on the broccoli to melt over the broccoli.

I love the nutty, salty taste of the cheese blended with the charred broccoli.

How do you choose which method is best for you? Well, sautéing the broccoli over the stove is quicker. The oven has the advantage of ‘toss and walks away’ while you do other things but it takes a wee bit longer than if you prepared them over the stove.

Meal Ideas to Combine Using This Recipe

Here are some ways you could incorporate this recipe to your meal plans.

1. Add it to stir fry using brown rice. For some reason, the earthy brown rice flavor and the zesty charred sautéed broccoli send sparks all over your mouth without the guilt that you are eating unhealthy. So my vegan friends are merry!

2. Mix it through with some chickpeas and couscous simmered in a veggie broth. Yes!!! another healthy vegan option, of course, my meat-loving friends can experiment and let me know down low.

3. Okay, this is going to sound rather strange but what if you sauté the broccoli then finely chop it and use it as a ‘spread’ on your sandwich or wrap with other added ingredients? Hmm, I think I will be making a recipe for this very soon. The light bulb just went on while writing this. hahaha

Other Broccoli Recipes to Drool Over

So, you had some sautéed broccoli with garlic and are now a fan? Here are some other broccoli recipes you might not get enough of.

Leftover Broccoli Stem and Sweet Corn Pizza

It’s hard not to be wowed by this recipe. Why? It’s shockingly delicious, a creative way to eat more veg AND you get to use up every bit of your broccoli with only a slice from the bottom of the stem going in the bin. Loved up with sweet corn and chili for a little heat. The pizza is finished with thick Parmesan/Parmigiano Reggiano slivers and crushed black pepper.

Healthy Sweet Potato Soup With Broccoli Stem

And when you aren’t having the broccoli pizza, you could be spooning up this healthy sweet potato soup with leftover broccoli stem.

Why you will love it apart from the healthy fact is the ‘are you sure there’s broccoli in that’ question you will likely get. AND you can have it cold. Take it to the office for lunch or make ahead for your next get together!

Please give the charred broccoli with garlic and lemon recipe a thumbs up below.

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