Learn how long to boil broccoli to get the most vibrant green, crisp, nutrient-rich vegetable on the table in minutes. Using simple techniques, you’ll get flawless boiled broccoli every time.
Broccoli makes a beautifully green side dish, rich in antioxidants and fiber, and adds essential vitamins and minerals to your meal. Plus, broccoli has more protein than most other vegetables.
I find it hard to resist broccoli when cooked and seasoned correctly. I add it to soups and salads and as a side dish to many main meals like this Chicken Leg Quarter Recipe.
Boiling broccoli requires a watchful eye because we all know what overcooked, soggy broccoli tastes and looks like on a plate.
Today, we’ll show you what you need to know to get vibrant, flavorful broccoli on the table in no time.
Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cook the broccoli, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes. You’ll know the broccoli is done when it’s bright green and crisp-tender.
How to cut broccoli
Starting with the basics, let’s talk about prepping broccoli.
Start cutting from the bottom and trim about an inch off the trunk. If the trunk appears dry, woody, hollow, or tough, keep trimming until you reach a tender green center.
Both the trunk and florets are edible, but the trunk takes a little longer to cook, so I peel the fibrous trunk with a vegetable peeler and toss the outer skin.
Once the trunk is peeled, cut the stem away from the head or “crown,” then cut away individual florets. To cut the florets into bite-sized chunks, slice down the middle of the florets to make smaller pieces.
If you plan to use the stems, cut them into round discs or cubes or julienne them into small strips for stir-fries; use them in Cheddar Broccoli Soup or add them to frittatas. If you haven’t tried the trunks, you might find them sweeter than the florets.
Cut the florets into equal sizes to ensure they cook evenly and are ready simultaneously.
Does boiling broccoli reduce benefits?
Water soluble vitamins like vitamin C and folate leach into water when boiled. So rather than throw those vitamins and antioxidants down the drain, it’s best to use broccoli water to make soups and stews or drink it down. A little a day will go a long way.
If you save the broccoli water, I suggest freezing it if you don’t use it right away. Just put it in an airtight container or freezer bag and label it with a date. It should be good for up to 6 months.
When you’re ready, set it in the fridge to thaw the night before making your soup.
To store leftover broccoli, ensure it comes to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container or resealable bag.
Boiled broccoli can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
When storing fresh, unwashed broccoli, wrap it in a plastic bag, and it will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. However, the longer it sits, the less nutritional value it will have, so it is best to eat it as soon as possible or at least within 3 days.
Tips on how to boil broccoli to make it dramatically more delicious | Cooking Tips for Beginners
FAQ
How long should you boil broccoli?
How do you know when broccoli is done cooking?
Should broccoli be hard or soft when cooked?
Can you boil broccoli too long?
How do you know if broccoli is done cooking?
No matter what size your broccoli florets are, you will know they are done cooking when they are a bright, vibrant green with a crisp texture and a little bit of give. If you want your broccoli to be softer, cook it for an additional 30 seconds. Once the broccoli begins to turn yellow and develops a mushy texture, it’s been boiling for too long.
What is the healthiest way to cook broccoli?
Steaming is the best way to cook broccoli, and the one that keeps most of the vitamins and minerals present in it.
Why should you know how to boil Broccoli?
Here are a few reasons why you should know how to boil broccoli: Quick & simple: Boiling is a technique almost anyone can do! Plus, it requires very little in the equipment department, meaning it’s one of the most economical options. Vibrant and crisp: Knowing how to boil broccoli helps retain its appealing color and crisp texture.
What does boiled broccoli taste like?
Perfectly boiled broccoli is bright green with a crisp-tender texture, making it the ideal healthy side as is, or the perfect canvas for a hearty pat of butter, a generous squeeze of lemon juice, or a bountiful sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. For the best way to boil broccoli, follow these steps: