Recipe Details
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch florets
Olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (seasoning optional)
Directions
Prep and gather all your ingredients before you start cooking.
Pour 1 inch of water into the base of a large saucepan.
Place a steamer basket inside the saucepan, then bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Arrange the broccoli florets in the steamer basket, turn the heat down to medium-low, and cover the pan tightly with a lid.
Let the broccoli steam until it reaches a crisp-tender texture, which takes 5 to 6 minutes — cook longer if you prefer softer, more tender broccoli.
Finish by seasoning with olive oil, salt, and pepper to your personal taste, if desired.
Cook’s Note
How to steam broccoli without a steamer basket
Add ½ inch of water to cover the bottom of a large lidded pot, then bring the water to a boil. Toss in your broccoli florets, cover the pot, and steam for 5 to 6 minutes until the broccoli is cooked to your preferred doneness (crisp-tender is recommended). Season your broccoli following the instructions in the main recipe above.
How to steam broccoli in the microwave
Add your prepared broccoli to a microwave-safe bowl, along with ¼ cup of water. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or vented microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until the broccoli reaches your desired texture. Season as directed in the main recipe.