Steamed Broccoli Recipe
Apr 08, 2024, Updated Jul 08, 2025
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This garlicky steamed broccoli with crispy, buttery panko is an easy 25-minute recipe. A splash of lemon juice and herby parsley brighten everything up for the perfect summer side.
Serve this steamed broccoli alongside catalina chicken for an easy dinner.
Why I Love This Steamed Broccoli Recipe
You’ll make this quick broccoli side for weeknight dinners, cookouts, and gatherings.
- Beginner-friendly. There are no complicated techniques for boiling the broccoli or making the breadcrumb mixture, making it perfect for cooks of any skill level.
- Little oil. No oil is needed to cook the tender broccoli, and only a bit of butter is needed to crisp the panko.
- Convenient. Use fresh or frozen broccoli so you can throw together this easy side on any weeknight.
- Versatile. Broccoli is an excellent base for experimenting with flavors. Add Alfredo sauce, make it spicy, or top it with lots of cheese.
The Ingredients
Cooking this steamed broccoli dish starts with gathering some simple ingredients that blend perfectly to enhance the natural flavors of the veggie. The lemon juice adds the perfect amount of brightness!
- Broccoli: Make sure it’s chopped into florets.
- Water: For boiling the broccoli.
- Salt and pepper: I prefer kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper.
- Unsalted Butter: Reduce the salt in the rest of the recipe if you use salted butter.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic or garlic paste are best, but garlic powder will also work.
- Panko: Regular or Italian breadcrumbs work too.
- Lemon: You’ll need the zest and the lemon juice.
- Fresh Parsley: This is an optional garnish, but you could also use cilantro or any other fresh herbs you enjoy.
How To Make Garlic Steamed Broccoli
This delicious broccoli dish requires only a few easy steps to make. The garlic butter adds richness and flavor, and the crispy garlic-panko adds the BEST crunch.
- Prepare the broccoli. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook it (covered) for 7-8 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain it, pat it dry with a paper towel, and season it with salt and pepper. Set it aside.
- Make the panko mixture. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook it for 1 minute, until fragrant. Mix in the panko, zest, and lemon juice. Season it with salt and pepper. The panko mixture should be golden and crispy.
- Mix it. Stir in the cooked broccoli and let everything heat up for another 2 minutes.
- Serve. Garnish with fresh parsley, serve, and enjoy with a bowl of Beijing beef or ribeye steak!
Can You Steam Frozen Broccoli?
Of course! You don’t even need to thaw it. Add 2-3 minutes to the regular cooking time or follow the package instructions.
Recipe Variations
Steamed broccoli won’t be so boring once you toss it with easy bourbon chicken, melty cheddar, or creamy sauce!
- Re-use the pot. To reduce cleanup, once you set the boiled broccoli aside, dry the pot and use it to prepare the breadcrumb mixture.
- Make it cheesy. Sprinkle 1-2 cups shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan cheese over the broccoli during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cover the pan and cook until melty.
- Add crunch. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or cashew nuts over each serving bowl for some nutty crunch.
- Add protein. Toss leftover Instant Pot turkey breast or juicy chicken breasts with the broccoli. Shredded rotisserie chicken works too.
- Use leftovers. Process leftover croutons, salted crackers, or toasty bread until fine and crumbly. Use the mixture as the breadcrumbs.
- Make it creamy. Pour 1 cup béchamel or Alfredo sauce into the pan. Mix it with the broccoli for a creamy side dish.
- More veggies. Swap half of the broccoli for cauliflower florets.
- Add heat. Sprinkle 1/4/-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the breadcrumb mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this garlic butter steamed broccoli as a side with your favorite mains. Try it alongside these juicy chicken leg quarters, my air fryer meatloaf, honey mustard chicken, or air fryer pork chops.
If you prefer seafood, definitely serve it with this garlic butter oven baked tilapia or baked lobster tails. For salad options, prepare my La Scala chopped salad or heirloom tomato salad.
Proper Storage
This light recipe is best the day it’s made because the breadcrumbs will stay crispy.
- Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To reheat it: Microwave it in 30-second increments until warm. You can also reheat it in a pan over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes, stirring constantly.
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Steamed Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds broccoli, cut into florets
- ¾ cup water
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup panko crumbs
- 1 whole lemon, zested
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Steam the broccoli. Add the water to a pot and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water and cover. Cook for 7 minutes or until fork-tender.
- Season it. Drain, pat them dry with a paper towel, and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Make the garlic butter. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute or until soft and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Don't burn the garlic.
- Add the remaining ingredients. To the butter, add the panko crumbs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, mix, and stir until everything is well blended and moist.
- Combine with the broccoli. Stir in the prepared broccoli and cook until all is combined and heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Serve. Remove from heat and transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Use one pot: To minimize cleanup, set the boiled broccoli aside, dry the pot, and then use the same pot to prepare the breadcrumb mixture.
- Use frozen broccoli: For convenience, opt for frozen broccoli; there’s no need to thaw it beforehand. Simply extend the regular cooking time by 2-3 minutes or adhere to the package instructions.
- Storage: Store the steamed broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Holy crap – windchill making it feel like -30 degrees?! And I thought -6 was cold. I Damn near froze my thumb off this morning. Anyway, Merry Christmas! And merry garlicky steamed broccoli. Thats my go to green, by the way.
The one veggie that everybody in my house loves equally is broccoli – this is SO happening. I love the addition of bread crumbs…has my mouth watering.
I love steamed broccoli and I’m always looking for fun variations. This looks great!
I adore broccoli with all of my heart. We’re guilty of just tossing a steamer bag in the microwave for quick eating. But I absolutely must make this version. It looks so bright and fresh. Way better than my limp steamer bag!
What are these steamer bags everyone speaks of?! I must find it! 🙂 Thank you, Kim!!
Oooh. I didn’t know that Orthodox Christians have a different date for Christmas! My mind is kind of blown.
And YES to lots of garlic on broccoli! I don’t like veggies so more garlic is always a good thing. 🙂
What a beautiful broccoli dish. I might make this for dinner tomorrow; this dish is just too pretty to pass up. It would be great to pack this for lunch at the office too, I think.
I love broccoli and this sounds amazingly good!
This looks so good! I love how you jazzed it up with the bread crumbs.
Upstate NY feels your pain today with these nasty wind chills!! I need some of this broccoli! Merry Christmas! 🙂
This broccoli and baklava is all I need! Please and thank you 🙂 Merry Christmas!