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Tender and crisp broccoli florets are so easy to achieve with this simple to follow Steaming Broccoli Recipe. It could not be any easier to make and all you need is a head of broccoli and a steamer basket to get started!

If there’s one thing that’s always on my shopping list week after week, it’s broccoli. I love it. The boyfriend loves it. It fits into every diet we’ve ever wanted to try (keto and low FODMAP, I see you). It’s versatile. Easy to make. And goes with virtually every main dish. Am I right? Whether you’re roasting it or sautéeing it with a little bit of garlic, there’s no dish it doesn’t pair well with. And on busy weeknights when the last thing I feel like doing is cooking, it’s the veggie I can always count on for being as delicious as it is easy.

broccoli florets in a bamboo steamer basket, brick of butter and salt and pepper in the background

The biggest reason that I love broccoli, though, is that you don’t need to do anything fancy or crazy to it in order for it to be downright delicious. A little butter or olive oil and some salt and pepper is all you need to make it shine and once kids all over the world can get over its vibrant green colour, everyone always loves it. And you best believe that this simple yet delicious steaming broccoli recipe could not make that statement more true. Trust me!

You can’t get any purer than steamed broccoli. It’s broccoli in its purest form…just the way I like it! You’re going to need some sort of steamer basket for this recipe. I like using a bamboo one as you can stack them and all that means to me is MORE STEAMED BROCCOLI. It’s crisp and tender, simple and delicious and comes out perfect EVERY DAMN TIME. A side dish I could seriously eat ERRR’DAY of the week. You feel me?!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS STEAMING BROCCOLI RECIPE

ingredients for steaming broccoli recipe - broccoli, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper — *Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.*

Steaming broccoli really could not be any simpler to make! You can easily season or customize it however you like with whatever spices you have on hand. However, you can always choose to keep it plain with just some salt, pepper and butter or olive oil. Either way, I think you’ll love whipping up this easy steamed broccoli as much as I do! Let’s discuss the ingredients in a little bit more detail down below:

Broccoli: Opt for fresh broccoli crowns with tightly closed florets and firm stalks. And be sure to rinse them thoroughly and trim any tough ends. To save on time and for convenience, you can use pre-cut broccoli florets you can find in the produce section of most grocery stores instead of cutting it up yourself.
Butter or Olive Oil: Both of these ingredients will add a tasty and unforgettable touch to your steamed broccoli. And no, you don’t need both, either one of ’em will do. For butter, choose unsalted for a rich and creamy flavour. I personally love using grass fed as it’ll really shine through in this recipe. However, any butter will do. For olive oil, choose extra virgin olive oil which adds a light and fruity flavour to the steamed broccoli.
Salt and Pepper: Enhances the natural flavours of broccoli. Therefore, don’t be shy and season, season, season!

side view of a bowl of broccoli, bamboo steamer set in the background

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT STEAMED BROCCOLI (KEY TIPS)

fork holding up a broccoli floret over a steamer basket with more

You can find full instructions for how to make this easy steaming broccoli recipe in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:

Trim the tough ends of the broccoli stalks and cut them into evenly sized florets. This ensures even cooking in the same amount of time.
Get the water hot and steamy first, before adding the broccoli to the steamer basket. I like placing the basket in the pot and letting the steam build up. Once the water is steamy and boiling, I add my broccoli florets and then start my timer. EXTRA TIP: A quick way to get the water hot and boiling almost immediately is to use a tea kettle.
Set a timer since it’s easy to overcook broccoli using the steaming method. Therefore, it’s important to pay close attention! Check for doneness starting at the 5 minute mark. Be mindful not to overcook the broccoli to maintain its vibrant colour and texture.
Check for doneness by inserting a fork into a floret — it should be tender but still have a slight crunch. When they’re ready, the florets should also be a bright and vibrant green as opposed to mushy looking and a mellow green.
Season the broccoli while it’s still hot, especially if using butter. The steam will cause the butter to melt and the seasonings to stick better resulting in maximum flavour.
Serve immediately. Enjoy steamed broccoli right away to savour its freshness and optimal texture.

broccoli florets in a bamboo steamer basket

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS IT BETTER TO BOIL OR STEAM BROCCOLI?

Steaming is generally considered a better cooking method for broccoli compared to boiling. It helps preserve the vegetable’s nutritional content and vibrant colour. Steaming broccoli also maintains the texture of broccoli more so than boiling it. However, it’s always up to personal prefernece so as I always say, YOU DO YOU, BOO.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STEAM BROCCOLI?

There are two very simple methods to steam broccoli that IMHO are the best. Here they are in a little bit more detail:

Stovetop Steaming: Place a steamer basket in a pot with a small amount of water (about 1 inch). Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets to the steamer basket, cover the pot with a lid, and steam for 5-7 minutes or until the broccoli is tender but still crisp.

Microwave Steaming: Place the broccoli florets in a microwave safe dish. Add a couple of tablespoons of water to the dish and cover it with a microwave safe lid or microwave safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, checking for doneness after 2 minutes. However, please note, you may need to adjust the time based on your microwave’s power.

HOW DO YOU STEAM BROCCOLI WITHOUT A STEAMER?

Don’t have a steamer? Fear not. Steaming broccoli without a steamer is easy; you can use a microwave or a stovetop method. See above for the microwave method. For the stove top method, improvise a steamer basket by using a heat safe colander or a metal sieve that fits into the pot, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the broccoli. Then, follow the instructions and timing as directed in the recipe card down below.

HOW LONG DOES STEAMED BROCCOLI LAST?

You can store any leftover broccoli in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply do so in a microwave or pan with a little bit of butter or oil until heated through.

bowl of broccoli, bamboo steamers in the background

EASY STEAMED BROCCOLI

Yield: 4 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients

1 head Broccoli, trimmed and cut into even sized florets
Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Butter, optional
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

Fill a pot with about 1-inch of water and place your steamer basket on top. Close the lid and bring the water to a boil/allow the steam to build up. Carefully lift the lid and add your broccoli florets, careful not to overcrowd the basket.
Steam for 5-7 minutes or until the broccoli is crisp, tender, vibrant green and easily pierced with a fork. Remove from the heat. While still hot, add butter or olive oil and salt and pepper. Give it a good stir then transfer to a dish and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 88Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.