Whether broccoli is your favorite veggie or the one you still avoid, there’s no denying it’s usually an afterthought in most recipes.
Sure, steaming or boiling it is easy and doesn’t taste bad, but there’s so much more you can do with the green veg — add it to casseroles, make it into a salad, or DIY your favorite Chinese takeout dish, for starters.
We promise, even the veggie-haters will be convinced with these recipes.
1. Creamy almond broccoli salad
Most creamy salads are loaded with mayo, but this version opts for an almond butter, miso, and orange juice dressing that gives it a tangy kick.
Toss the ingredients together, drizzle with sauce, and you’ve got a side dish/BBQ contribution/veggie lunch ready to go.
2. Whole30 cream of broccoli soup
What if we told you this soup was just as good chilled as it is hot? Such is the magic of broccoli in liquid form, along with a few other key ingredients.
Coconut milk adds the creaminess, green apple adds hints of sweet and tart, and Yukon gold potatoes give the soup some density. Herbs like shallots and spices like cinnamon tie all the flavors together.
It’s so good, you’ll want to slurp it right out of the bowl.
3. Best broccoli salad
This classic summer dish has been modified to taste great without all the sugar, gobs of mayo, bacon, and cheese (believe it or not).
Even better, the finished salad gets better as time goes on, as the flavors have time to marinate. Save nuts and seeds as a garnish for the day you eat the salad though, in order to preserve their smoky flavor and crunch.
Pro tip: Cut the broccoli into small pieces, so that dressing coats every inch. Sneaky, yet delicious.
4. Creamy vegan broccoli salad
Whenever we see “creamy” and “vegan” in the same sentence, we’re instantly curious. The magic behind this is the herby hemp dressing, which you’ll want to put on everything from now on (and maybe even drink it).
This salad is all about interesting textures. Turnips, radishes, and purple cabbage not only look gorgeous on a plate, they’re fun and crunchy too. For a little extra oomf, sprinkle hemp hearts over the top.
5. Crispy broccoli parmesan fritters
Think broccoli tots, but bigger. These latke-like fritters only require a food processor and a frying pan, and can be ready in half an hour. Top ’em with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, plus maybe a little salsa.
6. Lemon garlic magic broccoli
Anything dubbed “magic broccoli” is worth a try. This recipe requires only a tiny bit more effort than your usual roasting-in-a-pan, but the extra time makes such a difference.
Add garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parmesan to broccoli and pop ’em in the oven for 25 minutes. It’s a game changer.
7. Vegan bang bang broccoli
This vegan broccoli dish is as tasty as it is colorful. Chili paste and hot sauce give it a kick, and you probably already have most of the other ingredients in your pantry — score!
8. Curried broccoli slaw
This recipe caught our attention because of the curry powder and apples, two unusual ingredients in a broccoli slaw recipe. And it might not seem like it would work, but trust us, it really does (so good!).
You can make your life easier by picking up a bag of prepackaged broccoli slaw in the store. That way you can simply pour it in a bowl, add the mix-ins, and you’re good to go.
Pro tip: To make your own broccoli slaw, grate broccoli and carrots on a cheese grater, then add purple cabbage to the mix.
9. Cheesy cauliflower broccoli bake
This cheesy, veggie-filled dish is the ultimate healthy(ish) casserole. It’s lighter than the usual ‘role thanks to low-fat cheese, fat-free or coconut milk, and olive oil. Paprika and dijon kick things up a notch, flavor-wise.
10. Szechuan shrimp and broccoli
Peace out, takeout, we’ve got this covered. This spicy shrimp and broccoli dish will rival any Chinese delivery, and it’s simple to make. If you like things extra spicy, add a bit more Sriracha or red pepper flakes.
11. Ginger chicken and broccoli stir fry
A stir-fry is our favorite low-key weeknight meal, and this one is no exception. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar go a long way in transforming chicken and broccoli into a stellar dish.
12. Paleo chicken and broccoli alfredo
You know that question, “If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Well, this recipe might just be your new answer.
Alfredo without dairy is a thing — and it’s the bomb. To trip you out even more, the noodles are made from turnips (as in, the vegetable). Suitable for Whole30 fans, paleo peeps, and keto-dieters, it’s a dish that’s sure to please.
The thought of broccoli at dinner used to have us like: uh, not again.🙄Steamed, raw, and sautéed just was not cutting it anymore.
But then this list happened. Between fritters, stir-fry, and spoonfuls of creamy broccoli slaw, we’re officially hopping on the broccoli bandwagon. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for you, too.
