45 Amazing Broccoli Recipes Even Broccoli Haters Can’t Resist (2024)

45 Amazing Broccoli Recipes Even Broccoli Haters Can’t Resist (1)

If you're the type who hears the word "broccoli" and is immediately filled with wary skepticism, we're here to change your mind about one of our favorite veggies. If you've only had this classic vegetable steamed or raw, these recipes will open your mind to a whole new world. From delicious broccoli salads to cheesy casseroles to comforting, warming soups, broccoli is a versatile veggie star you won't regret trying in your next healthy weeknight dinner.

Broccoli is one of our fave veggies not only because of its versatility, but also how quick and easy it is to cook! It takes to so many different forms of cooking depending on your desired texture—crispy, slightly crunchy, raw, or softly steamed. You can toss these babies in your stir-fry, steam them in the bag, or toss them in the air fryer or even on the grill! If you just can't get enough of roasting your veggies, try out our best ways to eat roasted broccoli for tons of inspo.

While we've included plenty of recipes that let broccoli shine, if you're still a bit nervous about it—or if you have some picky eaters in your household—many of these recipes sneak in the veggie in the most creative ways. Tater tots, cheesy garlic bread, and pesto all get a broccoli makeover, making them extra-green, ultra-flavorful, and the tastiest way to get in an extra helping of veggies.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you're a broccoli lover or hater, try out these quick and delicious recipes for weeknight dinner ideas or easy vegetable sides that will please any and every crowd.

1

Beef & Broccoli

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In terms of popularity, this is right up there with orange chicken, and for very good reason: The combination of tender, seared beef and broccoli tossed in a garlicky, velvety sauce is practically impossible to resist.

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2

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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Our recipe is thick, hearty, cheesy, and just rich enough to make it a staple comfort food recipe during cold and chilly nights. You get that stick-to-your bones goodness and the sharp, cheesy flavor from the cheddar, while still getting a good dose of veggies. Mmmm!

Get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe.

3

One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta

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This creamy pasta is kind of the grown-up version of , but even easier and better. Broccoli is a star here, coated in cheese with a kick of heat from red pepper flakes.

Get the One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta recipe.

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4

Chicken Stir-Fry

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A stir fry is our go-to weeknight dinner when we just don’t have the energy to spend a long time in the kitchen or the grocery store—this recipe is no exception. Make it as is, then use it as a jumping-off point to create your perfect chicken stir-fry.

Get the Chicken Stir-Fry recipe.

5

Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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There’s your average casserole... and then there’s this cheesy loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole. Filled with plenty of veggies and feel-good flavors, there’s something in this dish for everyone.

Get the Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole recipe.

6

Cream of Broccoli Soup

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Cozy up to a bowl of this creamy, healthy soup when the nights get cold. Packed with broccoli, potatoes, and a healthy dose of heavy cream (use coconut cream if dairy-free!), this fall soup is SO satisfying.

Get the Cream of Broccoli Soup recipe.

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7

Air Fryer Broccoli

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For perfectly crisp and tender broccoli, skip the oven and use your air fryer. You can get away with minimal oil, making it a smart way to cook the veggie, while still tasting absolutely delicious.

Get the Air Fryer Broccoli recipe.

8

Mongolian Beef Ramen

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We made the classic take-out dish even easier in this recipe by using packaged ramen noodles. Tip: Don't forget the cornstarch! It's the secret ingredient for making the sliced sirloin steak crispy and caramelized, and for thickening the delicious sauce.

Get the Mongolian Beef Ramen recipe.

9

Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble-Up Bake

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Broccoli is a match made in heaven with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and biscuits in this quick and easy bake!

Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble-Up Bake recipe.

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10

Tofu Stir-Fry

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We love adding broccoli to stir-fries because of how fast and easily it cooks in the pan alongside all our other veggies. We used tofu in this recipe for a vegan dinner that rivals any take-out.

Get the Tofu Stir-Fry recipe.

11

Air Fryer Broccoli Ranch Tots

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Switch up your normal tater tots by adding finely chopped broccoli and ranch seasoning. Using an air fryer will give you ultra-crispy tots in half the time!

Get the Air Fryer Broccoli Ranch Tots recipe.

12

Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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We think broccoli cheddar soup was invented solely for keto people who hate vegetables. It's so much easier to get your daily serving of veggies when they're paired with a luscious, cheesy broth.

Get the Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe.

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13

Air Fryer Beef & Broccoli

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This classic Chinese-American dish features tender strips of beef, perfectly cooked broccoli florets, and a savory-sweet sauce. Bonus: Since it only takes 30 minutes, it might be even faster than takeout!

Get the .

14

Broccoli Slaw

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Nothing says summertime like a good cruciferous slaw, and this tangy, crunchy broccoli one will make you the star of every summer cookout. It’s got the classic slaw veggies, with the addition of raw broccoli, toasted walnuts, and sweet craisins tossed in a maple and lemon dressing.

Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.

15

Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry

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When you’re looking for an satisfying vegetarian dinner, but are craving take-out , it’s time to turn to the almighty walnut. It’s fatty and rich, with a fun, rippled texture that gives this sweet and spicy sauce lots of nooks and crannies to hug onto.

Get the Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe.

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16

Keto Broccoli Salad

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This might be one of our favorite keto recipes. Packed with crispy bacon, broccoli, cheddar cheese, and sharp red onion all tossed in a creamy dressing, this is always a crowd-pleaser.

Get the Keto Broccoli Salad recipe.

17

Miso Glazed Salmon

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This easy baked salmon is glazed in a miso sauce and cooked right alongside broccoli for a simple and fast dinner in under an hour. Quick and super-delicious, this is one of our go-to healthy dinners.

Get the Miso Glazed Salmon recipe.

18

Broccoli Cheesy Bread

45 Amazing Broccoli Recipes Even Broccoli Haters Can’t Resist (20)

You may have had zucchini cheesy bread, but have you ever had our broccoli version? This bread has all the classic cheesiness of garlic bread, but with an adding helping of veggies! Serve it with marinara or ranch for a seriously irresistible snack.

Get the Broccoli Cheesy Bread recipe.

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19

Shrimp Stir-Fry

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Now THIS is what we call a one-skillet dinner. Whip up this easy, customizable shrimp dinner in around 30 minutes for a super-satisfying, quick weeknight dinner.

Get the Shrimp Stir-Fry recipe.

20

Chicken Teriyaki

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We used chicken breasts in this recipe to pair with our sweet and salty teriyaki sauce and steamed broccoli, but feel free to switch out your main protein for tofu or pork!

Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.

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Taylor Worden

Assistant Digital Food Producer

Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.

45 Amazing Broccoli Recipes Even Broccoli Haters Can’t Resist (2024)

FAQs

How do you get a picky eater to eat broccoli? ›

If your child is hesitant at first glance, try serving a micro portion of broccoli. A micro portion is a very small portion, about the size of a small sample or even smaller. Micro portions can make a nervous or selective child feel more comfortable around a new food.

How do you make broccoli less tough? ›

Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill!

What to add to broccoli for flavor? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

What does your body need when you crave broccoli? ›

Yes, sometimes we do crave fresh food and vegetables like kale or broccoli. Many times this desire for fresh ingredients appears when your body needs more Vitamin C, calcium, iron or magnesium.

How do you make broccoli more digestible? ›

Speaking with indianexpress.com, she said that for better digestion of broccoli, one can add pepper to stimulate gastric juices along with white butter or cold pressed oil. “Green vegetables are a good source of vitamin A, which gets better utilised in the body when eaten with little fat,” she added.

Why do you soak broccoli in vinegar? ›

Washing vegetables with vinegar is effective because vinegar is acidic. Its acidity allows it to remove dirt and break down residues, making it particularly useful for cleaning off the sticky film left by stickers on produce. Vinegar also kills E. coli and salmonella, two harmful food borne illnesses.

Why do you soak broccoli in salt water? ›

Immediatley before cooking, soak your broccoli, head down, in cold, salted water (1 tsp salt to 8 cups water) for 5 minutes. Any critters will float to the top where you can rescue them or allow them to suffer a salty death. (NOTE: If you soak in salt water and then store it, it will become rubbery and wilted.

Why put broccoli in ice water before cooking? ›

Blanching is a cooking process that removes the harsh, bitter taste of raw broccoli while setting its bright green color. You start by boiling raw broccoli florets for just a few minutes, then plunging the florets into an ice bath.

Why does restaurant broccoli taste so good? ›

How do restaurants make broccoli taste so good? As with everything made by chefs, they have unexpected (read: unhealthy) additions to their meals — mostly butter, oil and heaps of salt. An excellent tip for the perfect broccoli is the blanching step.

What is the best tasting way to eat broccoli? ›

Roasting broccoli is one of my favorite ways to prepare it! It always has so much flavor. And it makes a great side dish and can also be used warm or cold in salads. Tip: Jazz up your roasted broccoli with a squeeze of lemon juice.

What do you soak broccoli in before cooking? ›

Fill a large bowl with 2 ⅔ cups cold or warm water and ⅓ cup white vinegar. Allow it to soak for 2 minutes, then dump the broccoli into a colander. Rinse the vinegar-treated broccoli very well under running water.

Why is Chinese broccoli so good? ›

Like many leafy green vegetables, Chinese broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients. It contains high amounts of beta carotene. Beta carotene helps prevent age related macular degeneration (ARMD), which causes vision loss and eventually blindness. Additionally, Chinese broccoli is a good source of vitamin E.

Which cooking technique gives the best results when cooking broccoli? ›

The easiest way to cook broccoli is to blanch it. Blanching is a process in which the broccoli is submerged in boiling water for only a few minutes, then transferred into an ice bath to keep it from overcooking and turning mushy. The broccoli florets will turn a vibrant shade of green and maintain a much-needed crunch.

How do Chinese restaurants get broccoli so crunchy? ›

Restaurants serve amazingly green and crunchy Chinese broccoli because they use huge amounts of boiling water.

How do you get someone to like broccoli? ›

Lemon Garlic Roasted Broccoli: This is the easiest (and most delicious!) broccoli recipe ever! In a bowl, toss broccoli florets with a bit of olive oil and chopped garlic. Line the broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet and squeeze some lemon juice on top.

How do you sneak vegetables into picky eaters? ›

Here are few ideas for adding vegetables into dishes:

Add in some finely chopped broccoli to an omelet. Add in pumpkin or butternut squash into mac n cheese. Grate zucchini and add it into pancakes. Blend carrots, bell peppers, spinach, or any other veggies on hand into your child's favorite pasta sauce.

Why do some people like broccoli and some don t? ›

It could be down to your genes, say US scientists who have done some new research. Inheriting two copies of the unpleasant taste gene provides a "ruin-your-day level of bitterness" to foods like broccoli and sprouts, they say.

References

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