Perfect Sautéed Broccoli comes together in just 15 minutes and will become your go-to way of preparing it. Never dried out, perfectly tender, and lightly charred, this broccoli will win over even the pickiest of eaters.

Why You’ll Love this Sautéed Broccoli:

• Quick and Easy: All you need is a skillet with a lid + 15 minutes!
• Healthy: Unlike boiling, which can cause some of the more heat-sensitive nutrients, like vitamin C, to leach out, sautéing helps vegetables retain some of their more delicate nutrients.
• Versatile: Switch it up with whatever spices and toppings you like (suggestions provided below).
• Perfect Texture: This way of sautéing, which also involves steaming, helps trap in moisture, resulting in fork-tender broccoli florets that are lightly charred and perfectly crisp.

Broccoli is a top-tier vegetable in our house. My husband, picky toddler, and I go through batches of sautéed broccoli every week.

Some weeks, I’ll even throw in my favorite Roasted Broccoli Salad or Broccoli Quinoa Salad to keep things exciting.

If you don’t THINK you like broccoli, I challenge you to give it another try after using this cooking method.

This way of preparing broccoli takes less than HALF the time as roasting, and it never dries out. Which is really the biggest downside of roasting any veggie, right? Roasting is a dry cooking technique, which, unfortunately, can rob food of its natural moisture.

Which is why this method works best for any variety of broccoli. The result is perfect crisp-tender florets every time!

How to Make Sautéed Broccoli

This recipe could not be simpler, and all you need is a large skillet WITH a lid. You can use a nonstick, stainless steel, or cast-iron pan—whatever you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• Broccoli: You need 1 large head of broccoli, which should amount to 6 cups of florets. You can (and should!) slice up and cook the stems too, which are a great source of prebiotic fiber.
  • Although broccoli is available all year, it peaks from October through April, which is when it’s richest in nutrients.
• Oil: I suggest extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
• Seasonings: I keep it pretty basic with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Simple, yet effective!
• Lemon: I love to finish the broccoli with a spritz of fresh lemon juice to really wake up the flavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Chop one large head of broccoli into florets, aiming for similar size. I also like to cook the stems, however they are tougher than the florets. I suggest slicing them into bite-sized pieces to ensure they get adequately tender.
2. Heat 2 Tbsp. of oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Once the oil is shimmering, add broccoli florets. (Note: It’s important to wait to add the broccoli when the oil is HOT. Otherwise, it will absorb the oil and become greasy rather than using the oil as a cooking medium.)
3. Cook the broccoli uncovered for 1 to 2 minutes, COVER it, and continue cooking for about 6 more minutes (8 minutes total). Lift the lid occasionally (every 1 to 2 minutes) to stir the broccoli and prevent burning. You want the florets to lightly char, which adds depth of flavor to the veggie. However if you let it go too far, it could end up tasting bitter.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and finish with 1 to 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice. You can also garnish with Parmesan or nutritional yeast!
5. Remove from heat and serve!

And in just 15 minutes, you have perfectly cooked broccoli ready to enjoy any which way you like!

Recipe FAQs

Recipe Variations:

Sautéed broccoli is delicious with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper, however I love switching up the spices. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Add Parmesan: Once the broccoli is cooked, finish it off with grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast if making dairy free!).
• Make Spicy: I love adding a pinch of chili flakes or drizzle of chili oil.
• Add Citrus: In addition to (or in place of) the lemon juice, sautéed broccoli is also delicious topped with orange zest or lime zest.
• Use Different Spices: A few of my other go-to’s are chili powder, paprika, and ground coriander.

Serving Suggestions:

The beauty of this sautéed broccoli lies in its versatility. It pairs well with literally ANY and EVERY entree you can imagine. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

• Salmon: Especially this Broiled Salmon with Pepita Salsa, and Orange Maple Glazed Salmon.
• White Fish: My Mediterranean Baked Cod is a reader-favorite, and the perfect entree pairing.
• Chicken: Simple roasted or sautéed chicken, or my delicious Chimichurri Chicken Meatballs.
• Tofu: I ALWAYS serve this broccoli alongside my famous Black Pepper Tofu!
• Burgers: A little something green to enjoy alongside these Chipotle Black Bean Burgers.

More Easy Broccoli Recipes:

Give this simple side a try this week for a guaranteed family favorite. And be sure to snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. Also, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!