How To Boil Broccoli
Learn how to boil broccoli so it comes out perfect every time. Boiling broccoli is easy to do, and you get tender florets that are bright green and tasty.
Suitable for Gluten Free, Paleo, Low carb, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Broccoli recipes are always a winner at my house and everyone, including the kids, loves to eat broccoli. Boiled broccoli is one of the easiest ways to make broccoli florets, and it cooks FAST!
You can have crisp, tender, broccoli florets on the table in just minutes.
This perfect boiled broccoli recipe is easy, and it’s also a blank slate. You can season the florets however you see fit, so everyone loves it. It’s a versatile side dish that pairs well with all your favorite mains. #winwin
Fresh broccoli is a nutrient rich vegetable and easy to prepare so you can feed healthy and delicious green vegetables to your family. With this recipe, it’s easy to serve a well-balanced complete meal on even the business weeknights.
You can also learn How To Cook Frozen Broccoli and learn How To Steam Broccoli In Microwave or make this easy peasy Grilled Broccoli.
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Plus check out How to Cook Fresh Green Beans.
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast – Once the water is boiling, you can have fresh, crisp yet tender boiled broccoli florets in under 5 minutes.
- Healthy – Broccoli is so nutritious, and this cooking process preserves most of the nutrients, so you are still getting vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
- A Delicious Side Dish – Season boiled broccoli however you like so you can pair it with just about any dish.
Ingredient Notes
- Broccoli – Trim and chop 1 medium to large head of broccoli into even-sized florets.
- Salt – Add salt to the water to season the broccoli without making it overly salty.
The Best Way To Chop Broccoli
A large head of broccoli can be a little intimidating. Chopping the florets too small can cause them to fall apart and look messy. They will still taste great, but they may not look as beautiful on the plate. Here’s the best way to chop broccoli:
- Remove the main stem. Chop the single, thick stalk of the broccoli just below where it begins to branch out. Use a sharp knife.
- Cut into long-stemmed pieces. Use a paring knife to separate the individual stems of broccoli. I like to keep the stems long, but you can shorten them up slightly.
- Make similar-sized pieces. Some broccoli pieces may be small, and some may be quite large. Cut them into similar-sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
Ready to make this boiled broccoli recipe? Go ahead and grab that broccoli and salt so I can show you…
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Boil Broccoli
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Trim the broccoli and cut it into similar-sized pieces.
- Add the raw broccoli florets to boiling water and boil for 3-5 minutes, depending on their size.
- Test for doneness around the 3-minute mark. Cook longer, as needed, until they are as tender as you desire.
- Drain, season as desired, then serve.
How Long Does It Take To Boil Broccoli
How long to boil broccoli is a bit of a personal preference, depending on how soft you like your cooked broccoli. Usually, boiling broccoli should take between 3 and 5 minutes.
The simplest method for how long to boil broccoli is to watch for the florets to turn a vibrant dark green color. You can also pierce it with a fork or knife. There should be a bit of resistance, but it should not be firm. A crisp tender texture is what you are looking for.
- Fresh Broccoli – 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of the florets.
- Whole Broccoli – 10-15 minutes
- Frozen Broccoli – 2-3 minutes
- Blanching Broccoli – 2 minutes followed by an ice bath.
Expert Tips
- Trim the fresh broccoli into florets just before cooking. Broccoli will begin to go limp once it has been cut.
- Cut the broccoli florets as evenly as possible for even cooking.
- Cut medium-sized florets. Tiny florets will tend to fall apart.
- Wash the broccoli to remove any dirt.
- Generously salt the water.
- Bring the water to a boil before adding the broccoli.
- Broccoli will turn bright green when you cook it.
- Broccoli will be fork tender when it is cooked.
- Add butter, parmesan cheese, black pepper, and additional seasoning to season your broccoli after cooking.
- Serve your broccoli right away for the best flavor.
Delicious Variations
- Add Seasonings – After boiling broccoli, you can season it with your favorite seasonings. While we always recommend adding salt and black pepper, some of our favorite seasonings include garlic powder, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar.
- Try Boiling Other Veggies – This same method works for boiling other vegetables like cauliflower and carrots. You may need to extend the cooking time to reach the desired doneness.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Trim the broccoli into similar-sized florets.
- Store – Leftover broccoli can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – Freezing fully cooked broccoli may cause it to become mushy. To freeze broccoli, we recommend blanching it before freezing.
FAQs
Blanching is similar to the process of boiling broccoli. To blanch broccoli, you will boil it for 2 minutes and then submerge it in ice water to stop the cooking process.
This is often done before freezing broccoli or when the broccoli will be used in a cold application. Since we are cooking for longer and skipping the ice water bath, this cooking method is not quite the same as blanching broccoli.
Boiling broccoli is the healthiest way to cook broccoli. It cooks the broccoli quickly so that no (or very few) nutrients are lost while cooking. Once the broccoli is cooked, you can season it however you would like.
Yes! Trim off the thick end of the broccoli and submerge the entire head into boiling water. It will take about 10 minutes to thoroughly cook a boiled broccoli head.
More Recipes You May Like
- Easy Instant Pot Broccoli.
- Grilled Broccoli.
- Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli.
- Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
- How To Steam Broccoli In Microwave.
- Roasted Frozen Broccoli.
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli.
- Plus check out How to Cook Fresh Green Beans.
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Serving Suggestions
Recommended Tools
- A great saucepan for even cooking.
- A sharp knife for cutting.
- The best sea salt flakes.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
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How To Boil Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli
- salt
- water
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Trim the broccoli and trim it into similar-sized pieces.
- Add the raw broccoli florets to boiling water and boil for 3-5 minutes, depending on their size.
- Test for doneness around the 3-minute mark.
- Cook longer, as needed, until they are as tender as you desire.
- Drain the boiled broccoli and place it in a serving dish.
- Season as desired, then serve.
Notes
- Trim the fresh broccoli into florets just before cooking. Broccoli will begin to go limp once it has been cut.
- Cut the broccoli florets as evenly as possible for even cooking.
- Cut medium-sized florets. Tiny florets will tend to fall apart.
- Wash the broccoli to remove any dirt.
- Generously salt the water.
- Bring the water to a boil before adding the broccoli.
- Broccoli will turn bright green when you cook it.
- Broccoli will be fork tender when it is cooked.
- Add butter, parmesan cheese, black pepper, and additional seasoning to season your broccoli after cooking.
- Serve your broccoli right away for the best flavor.
- There are 0 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
