Quick & Easy Garlicky Sautéed Broccoli

This Sautéed broccoli is an easy and healthy side dish for just about any meal. With very little prep and a short cook time, this one-pan garlic broccoli side dish is great for busy weeknights and meal prep! 

What you’ll need:

• Water 
• Broccoli florets
• Extra-virgin olive oil 
• A few cloves garlic 
• White sesame seeds
• Kosher salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes (optional)

How to easily sauté broccoli

One pan, four ingredients, and 15 minutes is all this sautéed broccoli requires! The key to perfect sautéed broccoli is two-fold. First, you’ve got to steam the broccoli briefly before uncovering and letting the water evaporate off. The second step is to add some oil and sauté the broccoli and garlic until crisp tender.

This two-step process results in perfect tender broccoli that’s not over or undercooked in any way.

1. Bring ½ cup water to a boil in a sauté pan (be sure to bring to the water to a boil with a lid on the pan, otherwise the water will evaporate). 
2. Meanwhile, cut the broccoli into medium-sized florets, keeping some of the stem of visual and textural appeal.
3. Add the broccoli, cover and steam for 3 minutes. 
4. Remove the lid and continue to cook until all of the water has evaporated out. 
5. Add the oil and garlic and cook until the broccoli is crisp-tender and the garlic is golden brown. 
6. Stir in the sesame seeds and season with salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. 

How to reheat cooked broccoli 

This sautéed broccoli recipe is a great meal prep recipe. Make a few batches of this broccoli at the beginning of the week then reheat for breakfast with scrambled eggs, toss over a salad for lunch, or serve with roasted salmon for dinner. 

To reheat this garlic broccoli you can either zap it in the microwave for a minute on high or toss in a nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high until warmed through. 

How to store cooked broccoli 

Store cooked broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cooked broccoli cannot be left out overnight, it must be refrigerated!

How to serve sautéed broccoli

I love to serve this sautéed broccoli as a side dish with any kind of grilled or roasted meat or fish. It’s fabulous tossed in pasta with some Parmesan, sprinkled over a pizza, or drizzled with a creamy tahini sauce. 

Variations of sautéed broccoli:

• Substitute some of the broccoli for cauliflower. 
• Give it an Asian stir-fry flare by adding sliced mushrooms and shredded carrots (add to pan with the oil), and finishing with a splash of soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. 
• Give it an Italian flare by adding sun dried tomatoes, basil and Parmesan.
• Replace the garlic with sliced scallions. 
• Make it more decadent by using butter instead of olive oil. 
• Finish with a sprinkling of Parmesan. 

Serve sautéed broccoli with these main dish recipes…

• Blackened Fish
• Gouda Carbonara
• Crispy Pan-Seared Salmon (for a super fat superfood dinner)
• Chimichurri Chicken
• Browned Butter Garlic Noodles

You may also like…

• Easy Roasted Green Beans 
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Crispy Fingerling Potatoes
• Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or tag #zestfulkitchen on social media if you make a recipe!

Don’t forget, if you make this Sautéed Broccoli recipe, leave a comment and rating below!

To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can click the button on any of the photos, or the red button on the bar below the recipe. Happy cooking!

Print