Broccoli Recipes ♥ Alphabet of Vegetables
So hey, Broccoli Lovers. Your favorite "veggie evangelist" here with a new collection of broccoli recipes, all spiffed up for the holidays. Or let's be real – January.
If you're here from Google, you might be looking for "brockly" or "brockley". No worries! I have the exact same spelling problem withzuchini zukeney zookeeny, errrr, make that zucchini. :-)
Anyway, every so often I do a little housekeeping with the Alphabet of Vegetables here on A Veggie Venture. The goal is to develop hyper-organized spaces for our "most favorite" vegetables so their pages will load more quickly, handy for all but especially those of us who check for recipes on our phones. Up today? Everybody's (not so?) favorite vegetable, broccoli! ~Alanna
PS Facebook & Pinterest users, if you love A Veggie Venture, be sure to "like" and "pin" this page! More and more, search engines and even real-live human beings rely on social media indicators to identify favorite sources of trusted information.
If you're here from Google, you might be looking for "brockly" or "brockley". No worries! I have the exact same spelling problem with
Anyway, every so often I do a little housekeeping with the Alphabet of Vegetables here on A Veggie Venture. The goal is to develop hyper-organized spaces for our "most favorite" vegetables so their pages will load more quickly, handy for all but especially those of us who check for recipes on our phones. Up today? Everybody's (not so?) favorite vegetable, broccoli! ~Alanna
PS Facebook & Pinterest users, if you love A Veggie Venture, be sure to "like" and "pin" this page! More and more, search engines and even real-live human beings rely on social media indicators to identify favorite sources of trusted information.
IN A RUSH? Prefer Another Vegetable?
Skip Straight to the Recipes or Switch to the A-Z of Vegetables.
Broccoli 101: THE BASICS
Pronounced [brok-lee].
Other Names for Broccoli. Do all moms call broccoli "trees" to tempt small children to eat their broccoli? Mine did! Broccoli is sometimes erroneously paired up with the unrelated broccoli raab aka broccoli rabe and rapini, a leafy green. (For A Veggie Venture recipes, see Broccoli Raab.)
The Season. The broccoli season is "early summer". That's because broccoli is a cool-weather crop and performs poorly in hot weather. So it's planted in late winter for harvest in early summer and then planted again in late summer for harvest in late fall. The wonder of our global food distribution system is that for many of us, broccoli is essentially a "seasonless" vegetable because its bright green crowns are always available, always fresh and beautiful.
How to Select Broccoli. Check the crown first. Are the florets tight and uniformly green? That's fresh. If the florets are dry or turning yellow, that's less fresh.
Botanically Speaking Broccoli belongs to the cabbage family (that makes it a "cruciferous" vegetable) and it's eaten both raw and cooked. Broccoli is mostly deep green in color but every so often, it's fun to run across some lovely rainbow-colored broccolis, pale tangerine, saffron yellow, pale purple, lime green.
Broccoli's Family Broccoli's "cousins" are Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and kohlrabi.
Broccoli Outlaws Wouldn't a good sleuth think that broccoli would be related to the vegetable called "broccoli raab"? The two greens share a name and even look a lot alike. But broccoli and broccoli raab aren't related! Broccoli raab (also called rapini) belongs to the turnip family. There's also an elegant vegetable called "Romanesco" that looks like a fractal version of broccoli, except oops, it's actually a cauliflower, not a broccoli.
What Is Broccolini? Broccoli's little brother? Kind of. Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It's also called "tenderstem broccoli" because its stems are, no surprise! more tender.
Broccoli = Super Food! Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouses, full of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and vitamin K.
Broccoli in Special Diets. Broccoli is gluten-free, paleo approved, suitable for low-carb eating, Weight Watchers friendly, Whole30 and keto approved. (Naturally, specific preparations matter to each of these eating regimens.)
Broccoli Anatomy The edible part of a broccoli plant has a tree-like structure, a large "stalk" at the bottom, a "head" made up of several "crowns" at the top. The tiny tight tips are called "florets" which are some times mistakenly referred to as flower-ets – though it's maybe only natural since those florets are, indeed, the flowers of the broccoli plant. FYI for a visual broccoli anatomy lesson, there's a great graphic near the top of this step-by-step photo tutorial, How To Steam Broccoli.
What's Your Favorite? Lots of people buy broccoli crowns, skipping the light-green broccoli stalks entirely. But for me, after peeling, the delicate trunks are the real treat in broccoli! How about you?
What About Frozen Broccoli? Frozen broccoli has its place, in fact, it makes a decent Quick Broccoli Soup (or Cauliflower Soup). Quality varies from brand to brand, sorry, I don't buy frozen broccoli often enough anymore to recommend a particular brand. But ... if so far you've only cooked frozen broccoli, give fresh broccoli a try. You may not go back!
Broccoli in Popular Culture Just look! So many ways to express our devotion to broccoli! Society6 (fyi, not an affiliate link, just a site I order from occasionally, mostly work from artists and photographers expressed in coffee mugs, shirts, prints, phone cases, so much more)
Natural Pairings. Butter (just ask the twin grandsons). Lemon. Garlic.
Fun Facts Thomas Jefferson planted broccoli at Monticello in the late 1700s but it wasn't until Italian immigrants arrived in the U.S. in large numbers in the early 1900s that broccoli became more widely available. In the 1920s, broccoli was the first vegetable in the U.S. to move from a generic vegetable to a branded product. Broccoli's first product name? "Andy Boy". Today, the company Andy Boy is a major supplier of broccoli, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, fennel, romaine hearts and other vegetables.
Sources. Personal experience and accumulated learning, also the most-wonderful On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee aka the "Curious Cook", The Flavor Bible and most recently, The Carrot Purple and Other Curious Stories of the Food We Eat by Joel S. Denker.
BROCCOLI NUTRITION INFORMATION
What's your favorite broccoli recipe? or what broccoli recipe did you hope to find here? I'm always looking for new ones, especially healthy broccoli recipes. Does your family have a funny name for broccoli? Leave me a quick note in the comments or via recipes@kitchen-parade.com! ~Alanna
HEY, BROCCOLI LOVERS! WHAT SOUNDS GOOD?
~ A Few Highlights ~
BROCCOLI: BASIC HOW-TO TIPS & TECHNIQUES
How to steam broccoli in a collapsible basket (step-by-step photos)
How to roast broccoli in the oven
How to cook broccoli in the microwave
How to cook broccoli by pouring boiling water over top
How to perfectly pan-fry broccoli
How to stir-fry broccoli
How to cook broccoli in foil on the grill or in the oven
How to cook broccoli in the same pot as cauliflower & carrots
RECIPE COLLECTIONS
No collections yet. This is my reminder!
PERSONAL FAVORITES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Smashed Potatoes & Broccoli Casserole ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup ♥
Detox Chopped Salad ♥
Lemony Broccoli with Lemon Vinaigrette ♥
PINTEREST LOVES IT!
A Veggie Venture recipes
Perfect Pan-Fried Broccoli ♥
MY GO-TO Broccoli RECIPES
For Weeknight Easy Quick Cauliflower Soup or Quick Broccoli Soup ♥
For Meal Prep How To Steam Broccoli (Step-by-Step Photos) ♥
For Roasting Roasted Broccoli with Lemon & Garlic ♥
For Potlucks Detox Chopped Salad ♥
FAVORITE SIMPLE SEASONAL SUPPERS
Winter Date-Night Chicken ♥
Spring Broccoli Rigatoni with Chickpeas & Lemon ♥
Summer Lemony Broccoli with Lemon Vinaigrette ♥
Fall Broccoli & Tomato Thai Curry ♥
BROCCOLI for KIDS
“I Like Broccoli” ♥
Power Food Broccoli Salad ♥
BEST Broccoli Recipes for LUNCH ON-THE-GO
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli, Pepper & Celery Salad ♥
CROWD PLEASERS with Broccoli
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli, Bacon & Raisin Salad with Cheddar ♥
RAVE REVIEWS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup ♥
Cauliflower-Broccoli Cheddar Horseradish Gratin ♥
Lemony Broccoli with Lemon Vinaigrette ♥
Perfect Pan-Fried Broccoli ♥
BEST Broccoli Recipes for THANKSGIVING
A Veggie Venture recipes
Pioneer Woman's Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole ♥
Favorite Recipes for Thanksgiving's Favorite Vegetables
Spoiler: Broccoli doesn't make the list :-)
BEST Broccoli Recipes for CHRISTMAS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli Tomato Holiday Wreath ♥
Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter ♥
Healthy Holiday Salad with Broccoli, Cauliflower & Dried Cranberries ♥
BEST Broccoli Recipes for MEATLESS MONDAY
Kitchen Parade recipes
Broccoli Rigatoni with Chickpeas & Lemon ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli & Tomato Thai Curry ♥
BEST Broccoli Recipes for WEIGHT WATCHERS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Quick Cauliflower Soup or Quick Broccoli Soup ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
How To Steam Broccoli (Step-by-Step Photos) ♥
Tomato & Zucchini Salad ♥
BROCCOLI in (ALMOST) EVERY COURSE
Recipes marked with this "little pot" call for cooked broccoli, good reason to cook extra!Broccoli for BREAKFAST
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Broccoli in Smoothies
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Broccoli in APPETIZERS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli Tapenade 20min/30min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb4
Christmas Tree Vegetable Platter 30min/30min – WW0 – PP0 – SP0 – FS0 – NetCarb5 ♥
Broccoli in BREADS
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Broccoli in SALADS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Power Food Broccoli Salad ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli, Pepper & Celery Salad 10min/10min – WW1 – PP1 – SP1 – FS1 – NetCarb6 ♥
Broccoli & Cauliflower Refrigerator Salad 15min/24hrs – WW0
Broccoli, Bacon & Raisin Salad with Cheddar 15min/20min – WW3 – PP3 – NetCarb5 ♥
Broccoli Salad with Olives 20min/2hrs – WW1 – NetCarb4
Detox Chopped Salad 25min/25min – WW2 – PP3 – SP4 – FS4 – NetCarb13 ♥
Healthy Holiday Salad with Broccoli, Cauliflower & Dried Cranberries 15min/15min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb8 ♥
Lemony Broccoli with Lemon Vinaigrette 25min/25min – WW2 – PP2 – SP3 – FS3 – NetCarb4 ♥
Mighty Perfect Cabbage & Broccoli Coleslaw 40min/60min – WW2 – PP2 – NetCarb10 ♥
Tomato & Zucchini Salad 10min/10min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb6 ♥
Broccoli in CASSEROLES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Smashed Potatoes & Broccoli Casserole ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli Parmesan Casserole 45min/60min – WW3 – NetCarb18 ♥
Broccoli-Potato Kugel 55/90min – WW2 – NetCarb11/16
Broccoli Soufflé 45min/2hrs – WW10
Cauliflower-Broccoli Cheddar Horseradish Gratin 25min/40min – WW2 – PP3 – NetCarb9 ♥
Pioneer Woman's Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole 75min/2hrs – WW2/5 – PP3/6 – NetCarb12/25 ♥
Broccoli in SIDE DISHES (HOT)
JUST BROCCOLI
A Veggie Venture recipes
Asian Broccoli in the Microwave 5min/15min – WW0 – PP1 – NetCarb3 ♥
Broccoli with Garlic Oyster Sauce 15min/25min – WW1 ♥
Broccoli with Ginger & Garlic 5min/12min – WW1 – NetCarb4
Broccoli with Pancetta & Parmesan 10min/25min – WW1 – NetCarb5 ♥
Broccoli with Rice Wine & Oyster Sauce 5min/10min – WW1 – NetCarb4 ♥
Broccoli with Sautéed Garlic 15min/25min – WW1 – NetCarb7 ♥
How To Steam Broccoli (Step-by-Step Photos) ♥
Never-the-Same Steamed Broccoli ♥
Quick Sesame Broccoli 15min/20min – WW0 – NetCarb3 ♥
Pan-Roasted Broccoli 5min/20min – WW0
Perfect Pan-Fried Broccoli 15min/20min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb2 ♥
Roasted Broccoli with Lemon & Garlic 10min/30min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb6 ♥
Sautéed Broccoli Coleslaw 5min/15min – WW0
Sautéed Broccoli with Toasted Garlic, Orange & Sesame 20min/20min – WW1/WW2 – NetCarb4 ♥
BROCCOLI + MORE
A Veggie Venture recipes
Barbecues Vegetables Oriental 20min/45min – WW2 – PP3 – SP3 – NetCarb11 ♥
Broccoli & Bok Choy with Coconut Curry 15min/25min – WW3 – NetCarb7 ♥
Broccoli Tomato Holiday Wreath 20min/60min – WW4 – PP4 – SP8 – FS7 – NetCarb5 ♥
Broccoli with Fennel 15min/25min – WW1 ♥
Curried Broccoli, Cauliflower & Carrot 10min/25min – WW0 – PP1 – SP2 – NetCarb7
Broccoli in SOUPS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Quick Cauliflower Soup or Quick Broccoli Soup ♥
Finnish Summer Soup ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli Potato Cheddar Soup 20min/35min – WW3 – PP4 – SP5 – FS4 – NetCarb11 ♥
Cream of Broccoli & Carrot Soup 25min/45min – WW3 – PP3 – NetCarb16 ♥
Quick Broccoli Soup with Chive Oil 15min/25min – WW3 ♥
Broccoli in SANDWICHES, WRAPS & MORE
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Broccoli in MAIN DISHES (SALAD SUPPERS)
A Veggie Venture recipes
Lemony Broccoli with Lemon Vinaigrette 25min/25min – WW2 – PP2 – SP3 – FS3 – NetCarb4 ♥
Broccoli in MAIN DISHES (VEGETARIAN)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Broccoli Rigatoni with Chickpeas & Lemon ♥
Kitchen Stir-Fry ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Stir-Fried Broccoli with Tofu 20min/30min – WW3 – NetCarb14
Broccoli & Tomato Thai Curry 35min/45min – WW3 – NetCarb20 ♥
Broccoli in MAIN DISHES (with MEAT)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Date-Night Chicken ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Simple Broccoli & Chicken Stir Fry 20min/30min – WW4 – NetCarb16
Broccoli in SAUCES
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Broccoli in SWEETS & BAKING
No recipes yet, this is my reminder! On second thought, forget this one!
RECIPES using FROZEN Broccoli
A Veggie Venture recipes
Broccoli & Cauliflower Refrigerator Salad 15min/24hrs – WW0
Steamed Frozen Broccoli 2min/15min – WW0
Your Basic Freezer-Burned Broccoli 5min/10min – WW1 – NetCarb3
Broccoli in CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
MOVING BEYOND THE STOVE & OVEN
Broccoli on the GRILL
Kitchen Parade recipes
Grilled Vegetables in Foil ♥
Broccoli in the MICROWAVE
A Veggie Venture recipes
Asian Broccoli in the Microwave 5min/15min – WW0 – PP1 – NetCarb3 ♥
Broccoli in the SLOW COOKER
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Broccoli in the STOVETOP SMOKER
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
A Veggie Venture is home of broccoli liker (nope, not lover ... but working on it)
and "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.
© Copyright Kitchen Parade 2005 – 2018
and "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.
© Copyright Kitchen Parade 2005 – 2018
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Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe, whether a current recipe or a long-ago favorite. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. ~ Alanna