31 Broccoli Recipes That’ll Turn It Into the Star of Your Dinner Plate

Broccoli is always a trusty side dish, but playing the same old steamed or roasted cards can get old, fast. Luckily, there’s a whole bounty of creative broccoli recipes to choose from. You can sear the hearty stalks until charred and finish them in the oven until tender, or pair them with tons of fresh lemon juice and garlic for a bright and crunchy Caesar treatment. You can melt your broccoli into a quick and easy pasta dish, or blend it into a warming, flavorful soup. And don’t throw away those stems either; save them for stock or thinly slice them and use them in slaws, salads, or str-fry. Below you’ll find an array of creative recipes that go beyond steamed broccoli.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton1/31Egg Salad With Grilled Broccoli and Chili Crisp
While most broccoli recipes act as side dishes, this creamy egg salad is a satisfying main meal all on its own. Smoky grilled broccoli and a drizzle of chili crisp transform egg salad from a lunch staple to an unexpected and hearty meal.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege2/31Soy-Glazed Chicken With Broccoli
In this quick, kid-friendly dinner, a sweet and gingery soy sauce mixture is used to both braise and glaze skinless, boneless chicken thighs; making it the perfect partner to crisp-tender broccoli sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Photo & Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/31Broccoli and Spam Stir-Fry
In this simple Thai-inspired stir-fry, you’ll quick-sear Spam for a crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth texture, then finish it with a mint (or cilantro) vinaigrette for a fresh, herbaceous lift.
Photo by Waterbury Publications, Inc.4/31Blissed-Out Crispy Cheesy Broccoli Gratin
This isn’t your typical broccoli casserole recipe. By cooking broccoli gratin on a sheet pan instead of in a baking dish, you ensure that every morsel gets an ample coating of crunchy, cheesy breadcrumbs.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks5/31Green Goddess Grain Bowl
In this delicious meal-in-a-bowl, roasted broccoli makes a nice foil to nutty cooked grains, crunchy cucumbers, and creamy avocado, while a bright and refreshing green goddess dressing perks it up.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li6/31Broccoli and Garlic-Ricotta Toasts With Hot Honey
Scattering crispy roasted broccoli florets over garlicky, ricotta-slathered toasts makes for a great party trick—or a great part of a snacky dinner.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou7/31Sheet-Pan Chicken Meatballs and Charred Broccoli
This Japanese-inspired dinner of chicken meatballs and roasted broccoli comes together on a baking sheet with a sweet and sour sauce that will win over even the pickiest of eaters.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone8/31Sesame Chicken With Broccoli
In this speedy, fan favorite meal, the chicken gets a crisp crust thanks to a quick coating in cornstarch. For a complete meal, serve with plenty of rice and don't skip the scallions and toasted sesame seeds on top.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson10/31One-Pot Pasta Primavera With Shrimp
This lightning-fast version of the classic spring pasta calls for just the right amount of water that magically cooks down to create a silky sauce, no draining necessary. And because it’s made with frozen broccoli and peas, you can enjoy it all year round.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Michelle Gatton, prop styling by Alyssa Pagano11/31Broccoli Slaw With Miso-Ginger Dressing
This broccoli slaw is nothing like the dried-out stuff you find pre-chopped at the grocery store. Instead, freshly grated broccoli stems combine with chopped florets to create a fresh slaw with pops of texture in this elevated yet simple side dish.
Photo by Martin Poole12/31Paneer and Broccoli Masala
Broccoli is its best self when sauced with tamarind, turmeric, garlic, ginger, and chiles, and this recipe is proof positive. Frying the paneer in a little oil until golden brown before stirring it through the masala makes it crispy and adds flavor.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones13/31Big Flavor Broccoli
This lemony, garlicky broccoli recipe goes well with just about anything, whether you’re pairing it with roast chicken or a plate of pasta. Pro tip: Don't discard your broccoli stems. Here, the whole vegetable is used and only the very bottom, woody part is trimmed.
Photo by Alex Lau14/31Grilled Broccoli and Arugula Salad
This unexpected side dish calls for a punchy dressing made with anchovies, garlic, mayonnaise, buttermilk, chervil, tarragon, chives, lemon juice, and mustard to brighten up a hearty base of grilled broccoli and peppery arugula.

Sheela Prakash




