20 Broccoli Recipes That Prove It’s the Holy Grail of Vegetables
If your idea of broccoli recipes starts and ends with a plain pile of steamed veggies served as a side, we have some good news for you: There are nearly endless ways you can upgrade the simple stalks into something you’re seriously stoked about eating—for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Those tiny trees add hearty textures, savory flavors, and vibrant green hues to all kinds of recipes. And, as you may have heard time and again as a kid, broccoli does a whole lot for your body. The veggie is packed with nutrients, Rhyan Geiger, RDN, founder of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian, tells SELF. For example, it’s filled with fiber, which helps you poop easier and prevents spikes in blood sugar, Geiger explains. It’s also loaded with vitamin C, which can help you fight off infections and mend cuts and wounds, she says. Eat just one cup of the stalks and you’ll meet your daily recommended dietary allowance for the nutrient, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
But if all you’ve been doing with broccoli is steaming it in the microwave or roasting it as a quick side, it’s no wonder you’re bored with it. That’s where having a solid list of tasty and unique broccoli recipes comes in: You can take so many creative routes with the stalks, from frying them into crispy fritters to baking them into a flaky pot pie.
We’ve rounded up 20 delicious ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From easy muffin tin bites to simple sheet pan feasts to creamy pasta entrees, these recipes prove that broccoli can have a spot in any meal. Take a peek at the options below; you’ll be hyped by all that this green vegetable can do.
Shanika Graham-White via Orchids and Sweet Tea1Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Orchids + Sweet Tea
Lindsay Ostrom via Pinch of Yum2Chili Garlic Pappardelle With Smashed Broccoli and Soft Eggs from Pinch of Yum
Do yourself a favor and mix roasted broccoli, eggs, and chili crisp into your pasta. It’s packed with protein that’ll keep you full until your next meal—and some heat to keep you warm this winter too.
Get the recipe here.
Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious3Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli from Damn Delicious
This sheet pan recipe mixes together broccoli, steak, ginger, garlic, and loads of seasonings and sauces like tamari, brown sugar, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. It’s an easy dish to put together and cook, making it great for meal prep.
Get the recipe here.
Ashlea Carver via All The Healthy Things5Broccoli Salad from All The Healthy Things
Bacon and dried cranberries add some salty, sweet goodness to this fresh broccoli salad. It’s topped with a creamy maple syrup dressing and sunflower seeds for extra crunch.
Get the recipe here.
Caroline Phelps via Pickled Plum6Easy Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry from Pickled Plum
For those nights when you’re not in the mood to make a complicated meal but still want something delicious, turn to this stir-fry packed with chicken, broccoli, and soy sauce for a savory finish. You can customize this recipe by adding all sorts of vegetables, like spinach, scallions, or kale.
Get the recipe here.
Monique Volz via Ambitious Kitchen7Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pot Pie from Ambitious Kitchen
This delicious recipe combines two of the best comfort foods: broccoli cheddar soup and chicken pot pie. If you’re not in the mood to make a homemade crust, use store-bought dough to save time.
Get the recipe here.
Jeanine Donofrio via Love and Lemons8Tofu Broccoli Bowls With Carrot Ginger Dressing from Love and Lemons
Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious9Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese from Damn Delicious
Kick up your traditional mac and cheese a notch: Make a creamy cheddar cheese sauce for your pasta, and then toss in some cooked broccoli to add in some savory notes.
Get the recipe here.
Ashlea Carver via All The Healthy Things10Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli from All The Healthy Things
Place frozen broccoli into a mixing bowl, toss it with a combo of lemon juice, avocado oil, salt, red pepper flakes, and garlic, then bake until tender. It’s the perfect side dish to a weeknight dinner or add-in to your lunch meal prep.
Get the recipe here.
Sylvia Fountaine via Feasting at Home11Broccoli Quinoa Cakes from Feasting at Home
Mix broccoli, quinoa, scallion, eggs, almond flour, and Parmesan cheese into a patty of sorts and then pan fry until golden and caramelized. The result? A crisp-tender fritter that you can eat on top of a refreshing salad or stuffed into a warm sandwich.
Get the recipe here.
Alex Overhiser via A Couple Cooks12Broccoli Salad from A Couple Cooks
Make broccoli the star of your lunch by tossing it into a salad. This fiber-rich recipe is packed with sweet and savory flavors—thanks to the poppy seed dressing, sunflower seeds, and raisins—and it’s hearty enough to fill you up too. Throw in some grilled chicken or tofu if you want extra protein.
Get the recipe here.
Sommer Collier via A Saucy Kitchen13Chicken Broccoli Fritters from A Saucy Kitchen
If you love fritters, try this twist: Mix some steamed broccoli, chicken breast, almond flour, nutritional yeast, eggs, salt, and pepper, shape into patties, and pan-fry until golden brown and crisp. Serve the fried bites with a creamy dip like hummus or aioli.
Get the recipe here.
Marisa Moore via Marisa Moore14Roasted Broccoli and Walnut Pasta from Marisa Moore
Grab some pasta and mix in tender broccoli and roasted walnuts when you’re in the mood for a quick and flavorful lunch. This recipe only requires a drizzle of olive oil and a scoop of Parmesan to make the delicious pasta sauce. If you want even more flavor, toss in a spoonful of pesto.
Get the recipe here.
Dana DeVolk via This Silly Girl’s Kitchen15Broccoli Pasta Salad from This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Though this pasta salad is packed with simple ingredients like fresh broccoli, peppers, and onions, it doesn’t compromise on flavor. The bacon topping and dressing add creamy and savory notes, and it’s customizable too: You can mix in other additions like roasted pecans for an extra crunch or a drizzle of chili oil for more heat.
Get the recipe here.
Rachel Conners via Bakerita16Vegan Broccoli Gratin from Bakerita
Instead of making the same-old traditional broccoli casserole recipe at your next holiday gathering, switch it up by using the stalks in a cheesy gratin. Serve this creamy and comforting dish with roasted turkey or grilled lamb.
Get the recipe here.
Alyssa Rimmer via Simply Quinoa17Broccoli and Quinoa Mac and Cheese from Simply Quinoa
The next time you make quinoa, toss some fresh broccoli florets into the pan before cooking it. Then, once you take the mixture off the heat, grate in some cheddar cheese or nutritional yeast for a savory and creamy finish.
Get the recipe here.
Cara Harbstreet via Smart Street Nutrition18Easy Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry from Street Smart Nutrition
Load up this broccoli stir-fry with your favorite proteins like ground beef or tofu (if you’re looking to eat plant-based). Then, flavor it with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar for a spicy and sweet flavor. Serve it with a simple side of fluffy quinoa or brown rice.
Get the recipe here.
Elise Bauer via Simply Recipes19Broccoli Cheddar Egg Bites from Simply Recipes
Make these broccoli breakfast bites and store them in the fridge for an easy morning meal all week long. If you get tired of eating the same flavors, switch up the add-ins you’re mixing into your egg batter. Try tossing in some crumbled feta or chopped brussels sprouts.
Get the recipe here.
Sommer Collier via A Saucy Kitchen20Stir-Fried Broccoli Potato Curry from A Saucy Kitchen
Make your traditional curry recipe plant-based by adding in tender broccoli and potatoes, and serve with some warm pita bread or fluffy brown rice. This dish is perfect for those cooler days when you’re in the mood for a cozier meal.
Get the recipe here.
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