Go back to basics with our steamed broccoli recipe. In this dish, you get to enjoy the authentic flavor of broccoli. If you’re not a fan of broccoli, this recipe might just change your mind with its creamy sauce and some simple seasonings alongside the main ingredient.
This quick and easy-to-make dish makes a perfect vegetable side to add to your everyday meals.
Is This Steamed Broccoli Healthy?
Yes, steamed broccoli is a healthy dish. We have tweaked the recipe according to our nutrition guidelines to make sure.
Each serving of this dish has 153 calories, which is a fair amount for a steamed dish.
Containing only 2 g saturated fat and 18 mg cholesterol in one serving, this recipe is also perfect for people who are watching their weight.
We also pay attention to the amount of sodium, limiting it to 194 mg per serving.
Broccoli contains lots of valuable nutrients, which contribute to its health benefits. Broccoli has an outstanding amount of vitamin C, which may play a role in improving your immune system.
Eating broccoli also supplies you with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These nutrients may promote heart, eye, and brain health.
Main Ingredients
- Broccoli
Broccoli is a special vegetable; its stalk and floret have very contrasting textures. One is crunchy and the other is softer. In terms of flavor, it is at the midway point between sweet and bitter, which contributes to its bad reputation with children.
- Sauce
For people who don’t like broccoli, this sauce may change their minds. We serve steamed broccoli with a creamy sauce made from Japanese mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and a little bit of pepper.
- Others
Aside from the two main components, we also have parsley, paprika, and parmesan cheese in this dish. These three ingredients provide their signature spark to give this dish a more layered flavor profile.
And in the aesthetics department, paprika adds little spots of red that stand out from the dark green broccoli.
How to Season
For steamed broccoli, you can choose whichever seasoning you prefer. However, the most important aspect is balance.
In this recipe, the balance comes from the different flavors of the following ingredients: fruitiness from parmesan cheese, freshness from parsley, tanginess from Greek yogurt, and a little kick from paprika and pepper.
We season the broccoli after steaming so the flavors firmly stick and infuse into the vegetable.
How to Steam
This should be easy if you have a steamer. Add water to the pot and place the broccoli in the steam basket and close the lid. The cooking time will be about 5 minutes.
- Without a steamer
Add 1-2 inches of water to your pot and bring it to a boil—any more water than this will turn your dish into boiled broccoli instead of steamed. Then, add your broccoli and cover with a lid. It will also take around 5 minutes.
- Microwave
Put your broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and add 2-3 tbsp of water. Cover the bowl with a lid, then cook on high for 3-4 minutes. You can cook for 2-3 minutes and take the broccoli out to check. Your broccoli is cooked when you can pierce it with a fork.
How to Steam Frozen Broccoli
Frozen broccoli is not that different from the fresh version, the steamer will do the job just nicely. The cooking time will be longer: 5-8 minutes.
We don’t recommend using the microwave to steam frozen broccoli because the broccoli can turn mushy when exposed to heat and water for too long.
However, it is possible. Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl without additional water. Test it at 1-minute intervals until it reaches the desired consistency.
Want to try more steamed dishes? Our Chinese Steamed Sea Bass Recipe is the perfect choice for an effortlessly flavorful dinner.
How to Store and Reheat
Broccoli should be refrigerated in shallow and airtight containers, and its shelf life ranges from 3 to 5 days.
We recommend two ways to reheat steamed broccoli: the oven and the microwave.
- Oven: Cook on low heat (200-250°F) to prevent the broccoli from turning mushy or burning. The oven takes around 10 minutes to finish reheating.
- Microwave: Use a microwave-safe container and cover the broccoli with plastic wrap to lock in the moisture. The microwave will only take 1-2 minutes.
More Easy Broccoli Dishes to Try
- Instant Pot Broccoli Recipe
- Roasted Broccoli Recipe
- Asian-style Broccoli Recipe
- Air Fryer Broccoli Recipe
How to Make Steamed Broccoli
Today's steamed broccoli recipe highlights the natural flavor of broccoli alongside a creamy sauce and some seasoning.
- cook TIME 10 mins
- prep TIME 7 mins
- total TIME 17 mins
- COURSE Side Dish
- CUISINE Global
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 153 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 24 oz broccoli (prepared)
- 0.5 oz shredded parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Broccoli: cut into florets
Make sure that the broccoli pieces are the same size so they cook evenly.
Cook
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, add 3 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise, 1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Whisk until well combined.
Steam the broccoli: Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Add 24 oz prepared broccoli and steam for 5 minutes.
Season the broccoli: Take the broccoli off the heat, transfer onto a serving plate. Drizzle the sauce and sprinkle 0.5 oz parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 2 tbsp parsley on them.
Serve and enjoy.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary Consultant
Luna Regina
Writer, Author
Natalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer
- swilliamsa1999A simple and healthy way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable.