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This sauteed garlic broccoli recipe is so quick, healthy, and delicious that it might become a regular side to your meals! Make this dish in as little as 10 minutes using basic ingredients like garlic, butter, and lemon.
Broccoli And Garlic Recipe
Little G loves broccoli, and it is actually one of the very few vegetables he would eat. But no complaints here since broccoli is so nutritious and easy to cook, which is a huge plus for busy moms like me!
One of the easiest broccoli recipes I make at home is this broccoli with garlic and butter that practically only takes 10 minutes to make! It’s so easy, quick, and packed with lots of nutrition and flavors that the whole family will surely enjoy.
Looking for more healthy broccoli recipes? Prep some Broccoli Gratin, Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Shrimp and Broccoli for your next dinner!
Ingredients
- Broccoli – I usually buy pre-cut broccoli florets to cut the prep time. But you can choose to buy a head of broccoli and cut it into florets yourself. You can also use frozen broccoli if that’s the only option.
- Garlic – always use freshly minced garlic! Feel free to add as much as you like especially if you love garlicky food!
- Butter – adds a lot of richness to the dish. I always use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the dish.
- Lemon – a squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens up the dish while adding a nice tangy flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
Recipe Variations
- Vegan: Skip the butter and just use olive oil or vegan butter for a completely plant-based version.
- Chinese-style: Make garlic sauce using ingredients like soy sauce and Shaoxing wine for a nice Asian garlic broccoli or kai lan.
- Roasted: Sauté all the ingredients for a few minutes and then pop in the oven to roast at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes for an extra crispy texture.
- Cheesy: Sprinkle some parmesan, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese on top during the last minute of sautéing like in this Garlic Parmesan Broccolini recipe!
- Protein: Make a complete meal by adding shrimp, chicken, or tofu to the dish. Shrimp and Broccoli and Beef and Broccoli are some of my favorite things to make when I’m in a rush! You can also top it with a fried or poached egg for extra protein and flavor.
How To Make Garlic Broccoli
There’s no such thing as too much garlic when it comes to this recipe. So if you’re a garlic lover like me, you’ll absolutely enjoy this garlic butter broccoli!
Here’s how to make garlic broccoli in a skillet:
Step 1: Heat up a pot of water and bring it to boil. Drop the broccoli florets for 1 minute, drain, and set aside.
Step 2: Heat up a skillet on medium heat and add the melted butter and olive oil. Saute the garlic until slightly browned before adding in the boiled broccoli florets. Toss everything with a spatula to coat the broccoli with the garlic.
Step 3: Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, and then add a squirt or two of lemon juice. Stir to combine well with the broccoli. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Helpful Tips For Home Cooks
- Choose firm, bright green broccoli with tightly closed florets for the best results. If you see a lot of yellowing or wilting on the stem, it probably isn’t that fresh although it’s still safe to eat.
- The key to making the perfect garlic butter broccoli is to cook it just until it’s tender and still has a little bit of crunch. That would take about 5 to 7 minutes, and you can tell it’s done when you can pierce the stem with a fork.
- Add the lemon juice towards the end of cooking to retain its bright, zesty flavor. You can also add some lemon zest for an extra pop of citrusy flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to cook broccoli is definitely sautéing. This technique involves quickly cooking the vegetables in a hot pan with minimal oil and it keeps all the good stuff in while staying nice and crisp.
Broccoli has a mild, slightly bitter taste, making it a great match for bold flavors like garlic, butter, and lemon. You can also try seasoning it with soy sauce, oyster sauce, fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, spices like paprika and chili powder, or even cheese like parmesan and cheddar.
Yes, you can! Make sure to cut your broccoli into small, evenly-sized pieces so they cook faster and at the same time.
This broccoli and garlic recipe has only 111 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Pair this stir fry broccoli with garlic with a side of white rice or Garlic Noodles and your favorite protein for a balanced and satisfying meal. It goes well with Chicken Kebab, Garlic Butter Pork Chops, and Honey Garlic Salmon.
For an easy and wholesome weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Garlic Broccoli
Ingredients
- 10 oz (280g) broccoli florets
- water, for boiling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 squirt lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat a pot of water until it boils. Boil the broccoli florets for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the melted butter and olive oil. Sauté the garlic until slightly browned, then add the broccoli. Toss with a spatula to combine well with the garlic.
- Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Squeeze in a squirt or two of lemon juice and stir to combine well with the broccoli. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Choose firm, bright green broccoli with tightly closed florets for the best results. If you see a lot of yellowing or wilting on the stem, it probably isn’t that fresh although it’s still safe to eat.
- The key to making the perfect garlic butter broccoli is to cook it just until it’s tender and still has a little bit of crunch. That would take about 5 to 7 minutes, and you can tell it’s done when you can pierce the stem with a fork.
- Add the lemon juice towards the end of cooking to retain its bright, zesty flavor. You can also add some lemon zest for an extra pop of citrusy flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I tried cooking this recipe just now. It did not disappoint. Will definitely cook this dish again. Thank you for sharing this brilliant recipe.
Hi Jillian, thanks so much and this garlic broccoli recipe is so easy, right?
Garlic and broccoli love each other. Looks like a super easy recipe, can be my go to weekday life saver ;)
Good, easy recipe that I will use often. Thank you Bee for sharing! :-)