10 MINUTES and it’s ready! Delicious, Tasty, Healthy, low calorie, low fat, low carb Broccoli! How To Boil Broccoli.
This boiled Broccoli is ready to use for, Broccoli cheese casserole or just to add butter, salt, pepper and enjoy just like you do with Boiled Cauliflower! This is similar in taste to our frozen broccoli recipe. You’ll want to use fresh broccoli for our broccoli opposite salad.
Why This Recipe Works…
- EASY!
- FAST! Ready in under 30 minutes total time.
- Prepares you for so many other recipes OR ready to eat as is!
Here’s How To Boil Broccoli…
STEP 1.
Cut the florets from the main stalk.
STEP 2.
Place those in a sauce pan and cover with enough water to cover . Bring to a full boil and boil till fork tender 5-7 minutes.
What Is the Healthiest Way to Cook Broccoli?
Boiling broccoli is the healthiest way to cook broccoli. Boiling adds no calories but can add immense flavor if you use the appropriate seasonings.
Frequently Asked Questions about How To Boil Broccoli (FAQ’s)
How To Boil Broccoli
Place the Broccoli florets into a medium sized saucepan and cover with 1 quart of water. Bring water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the Broccoli is fork tender. Drain Broccoli. Top with butter or flavored oil. Add seasoning. Serve hot.
How Long To Boil Broccoli?
Boil Broccoli 5-10 minutes depending on how big the pieces are and how tender you want your Broccoli. Boil Broccoli florets 5 minutes and boil large pieces (¼ – whole head) for 10. When fork tender, it’s done.
Does Boiled Broccoli Lose Nutrients?
Any boiled vegetable can lose nutrients if you boil it to death! Only boil broccoli as long as it takes to make it tender, then remove it from the hot water. You can submerge it in cool water to stop the cooking if needed.
What Can I Use Boiled Broccoli For?
Use Boiled Broccoli for…
- A delicious way to make a simple Broccoli side dish.
- Delicious recipes like baked potato casserole!
- Prepped for Stir fry
- OR for Broccoli Chili!
What IS Broccoli Anyway?
Broccoli is a vegetable that is related to cauliflower, brussel sprouts and collard greens. (Thanks Wikipedia!)
How Long To Boil Broccoli?
This depends on several factors….
Fresh Broccoli…
- A WHOLE HEAD of Broccoli will be ready when fork tender 10-15 minutes.
- Florets of Broccoli will be done in 5-10 minutes.
Frozen Broccoli…
- Florets will be ready in about 5 minutes.
Can I Boil a WHOLE Head of Broccoli?
Sure!
- Cut the green parts off and the biggest part of the stalk.
- Place in a large boiling stock pot of water with enough water to cover.
- Boil for about 10 minutes until completely fork tender.
How To Boil Broccoli in the Microwave
- Cut the Broccoli into florets
- Place in a large microwave safe bowl of water.
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
- Stir
- Repeat at 1 minute intervals until fork tender.
What About Those Spots on My Broccoli Head?
- A few light yellow spots on the surface of the Broccoli head are normal.
- Simply use a sharp knife to cut that area off.
How Can I Tell If My Broccoli Is Bad?
- If the spots go through the Broccoli, then the Broccoli is bad.
- Do you notice a rotten smell and does the Broccoli feel slimy? Then, it’s bad.
What Can I Serve with Boiled Broccoli?
Broccoli is a great side dish to almost any meal!
Try this crockpot pot roast or this garlic rosemary pork loin!
You could also eat it as your main dish if you are going lighter and it tastes excellent with Tennessee Onions and Broccoli
Tips & Tricks for Boiled Broccoli.
- If you plan to eat right away, then you will want your Broccoli more tender (so that the fork easily goes through the entire piece).
- Are you using it in a recipe that will be cooked more? Then only boil it until a fork can pierce the Broccoli but doesn’t want to go completely through.
- Broccoli is hard when raw, it can not be pierced with a fork at all.
- You will notice that it turns a slightly different color when cooked, a bright green color. This is normal.
- Save the water you boiled Broccoli in if you are making a sauce, it can be used to thin and flavor the sauce.
PRO TIP: The smaller the pieces of Broccoli are, the more quickly they will cook, no matter HOW you are cooking them. Be careful so as not to overcook the Broccoli. Drain it well to remove the extra water.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe for How To Boil Broccoli, You Might Also Enjoy…
How to Cook Canned Green Beans
How to Cook Canned Pinto Beans
OR try ANY of our DELICIOUS Side Dishes!
Need MORE Broccoli Info?
How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
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How To Boil Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli
- 1 quart water or enough water to cover the cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the florets from the broccoli and set the stalks aside for some other use.
- Place the broccoli into a medium sized saucepan and cover with water. Add more water if 1 quart doesn't cover all of the pieces.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Heat on high for 5-7 minutes until the water is simmering.
- Allow to simmer for 5-7 minutes, then check by piercing it with a fork. If you are using this for another cooked recipe, then the fork should barely pierce the exterior. If you plan to eat the as is, cook it until a fork goes easily through the entire piece (10 minutes or so).
- While is cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan and add the garlic powder and onion powder to the butter, stir well. Turn the heat off when the butter is fully melted.
- When cooked the way you want, pour into a colander to drain initially and then place on paper towels to drain on paper towels.
- Once drained, place in a bowl and pour the melted butter mixture over the top. Taste and add salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
- If you plan to eat right away, then you will want more tender (so that the fork easily goes through the entire piece).
- Are you using it in a recipe that will be cooked more? Then only boil it until a fork can pierce but doesn't want to go completely through.
- Raw Broccoli is brittle when raw, it breaks easily and can not be pierced with a fork at all .
- You will notice that it turns a slightly different color when cooked, a bright green color. This is normal.
- Save the water you boiled in if you are making a sauce, it can be used to thin and flavor the sauce.
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
I've struggled with myself today. Sometimes it is hard to sit down and work because of interruptions but most of the time, it's all because of me. I pray for some help with this struggle with myself.
Proverbs 24: 33-34
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
kate g says
told me everything I need to know about broccoli and beyond...thank you and great job...
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Kate, Thanks so much for the kind and sweet comment as well as the stars. I'm glad you found everything you needed to know!
Wendi Spraker says
aggregate rating test