Steamed Broccoli

Broccoli

VegetablesSteamed broccoli

Bright, crisp-tender, roasted, steamed, or air-fried.

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Step-by-step

  1. 1

    Prep Broccoli for Steaming

    Cut into evenly sized florets, roughly 1–1½ inches across. Uniform size matters — small pieces overcook before large ones finish. Peel and slice stems into same-thickness coins so they cook at the same rate. Rinse under cold water, shake off excess moisture. Set out a serving dish. For quick cooling, have an ice bath ready before you start — the window between tender and overcooked is narrow.

  2. 2

    How to Steam Broccoli

    1. Add 1–2 inches of water to a pot and place a steamer basket inside. Water should sit below the basket. Cover and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat. 2. Add broccoli florets and stem coins in a single layer — no piling. Cover immediately and reduce heat to medium. 3. Steam 4–6 minutes. Check small florets (around 1 inch) at the 3-minute mark; larger ones may need up to 7 minutes. 4. Test doneness by piercing a stem with a paring knife — slight resistance means tender, not mushy. Color should be bright vivid green, not olive or dull. 5. Remove from steamer right away. Residual steam in a covered pot keeps cooking the broccoli even off the heat, turning it limp within minutes.

  3. 3

    Finish, Season & Serve

    Transfer broccoli to a wide dish immediately off the steamer so steam escapes and cooking stops. Season with salt only after removing from heat — salting earlier draws out moisture. Not serving right away? Plunge into an ice bath to halt cooking, then drain on a towel. Watch the color: bright green = ready, olive-dull green = overcooked. Serve quickly; it keeps softening as it sits.

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