Garlic Butter Broccoli Recipe

Introduction

Garlic butter broccoli is a simple and flavorful side dish that elevates ordinary broccoli with a rich, garlicky sauce and a delightful crunch from sliced almonds. This recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for adding a fresh, vibrant touch to any meal.

Ingredients

• 12 oz broccoli florets
• 2 pinches coarse sea salt plus more to taste
• Sprinkle of sliced almonds
• Garlic butter sauce:
• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp melted butter or ghee
• 0.3 oz garlic cloves, grated (about 2 large cloves)
• ¾ lemon, juiced (or to taste)
• 1 to 1.5 tsp coarse sea salt (or to taste)
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 pinches of coarse sea salt.
2. Step 2: Rinse the broccoli florets if pre-cut, and set them aside to drain.
3. Step 3: In a bowl or measuring cup, combine olive oil, melted butter or ghee, grated garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
4. Step 4: Add the broccoli florets to the boiling salted water and blanch for 1.5 to 2 minutes. If adding broccoli stems, blanch an additional 30 seconds.
5. Step 5: The broccoli should turn a deeper green and be tender-crisp when bitten. Use a slotted spoon to remove it and rinse briefly under room temperature water to stop cooking. The florets should feel warm afterward.
6. Step 6: Drain thoroughly, shake off excess water, and transfer the broccoli to a large serving bowl.
7. Step 7: While still warm, pour the garlic butter sauce over the broccoli and gently toss to combine.
8. Step 8: Let the broccoli sit for about 2 minutes to soak up the sauce, toss again, season with additional salt if needed, and garnish with sliced almonds before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, lightly toast the sliced almonds before garnishing.
• You can substitute ghee or melted butter with all olive oil for a dairy-free version.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight kick.
• If using a whole head of broccoli, cut the florets evenly to ensure uniform blanching.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or skillet to avoid overcooking the broccoli. For best texture, it’s recommended to enjoy this dish fresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?

Frozen broccoli can be used in a pinch, but fresh broccoli will give you the best texture and flavor. If using frozen, blanch it directly without thawing and reduce blanching time slightly.

How do I prevent the broccoli from becoming mushy?

Blanch the broccoli only until it’s tender-crisp and bright green, then immediately rinse under room temperature water to stop the cooking process. Avoid overcooking during reheating as well.

Garlic Butter Broccoli Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 150 reviews

This Garlic Butter Broccoli recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to prepare fresh broccoli florets with a rich garlic butter sauce and a delightful crunch of sliced almonds. Perfect as a quick side dish, it features a balance of tender-crisp broccoli blanched to vibrant green perfection, tossed in a zesty lemon-garlic butter dressing.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Blanching
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Broccoli

• 12 oz broccoli florets
• 2 pinches coarse sea salt, plus more to taste
• Sprinkle of sliced almonds

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp melted butter or ghee
• 0.3 oz garlic cloves, grated (about 2 large cloves)
• ¾ one whole lemon, juiced (adjust to taste)
• 1 to 1.5 tsp coarse sea salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the water and broccoli: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it with 2 pinches of coarse sea salt. If using pre-cut broccoli florets, rinse them thoroughly and set aside to drain.
2. Make the garlic butter sauce: In a bowl or measuring cup, combine olive oil, melted butter or ghee, grated garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well, taste, and adjust seasoning as desired.
3. Blanch the broccoli: Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets and blanch for 1.5 to 2 minutes. If including broccoli stems, blanch for an additional 30 seconds. The broccoli should turn a vibrant deep green and become tender-crisp.
4. Shock and drain the broccoli: Use a slotted spoon to remove the broccoli from boiling water and immediately rinse under room temperature water to stop the cooking process. The florets should remain warm to the touch but not hot. Set aside to drain thoroughly and shake off excess water.
5. Toss with sauce: Transfer the drained broccoli to a large serving bowl. While still warm, pour the garlic butter sauce over the broccoli and gently toss to combine well.
6. Let it marinate and serve: Allow the broccoli to soak up the sauce for about 2 minutes, then toss again to incorporate flavors. Adjust salt to taste and garnish with a sprinkle of sliced almonds before serving.

Notes

• If using a whole head of broccoli, cut into florets and peel and slice stems thinly; blanch stems slightly longer (about 2 to 2.5 minutes) before combining with florets.
• Adjust the lemon juice and salt according to preference for brightness and seasoning.
• The blanching stops the cooking process while preserving color and crunch, making the broccoli tender but not mushy.
• This dish is best served warm but can be served at room temperature as a side.
• Sliced almonds add a pleasant texture contrast but can be omitted or substituted with other nuts or seeds if desired.

Keywords: Garlic butter broccoli, blanched broccoli, healthy side dish, lemon garlic sauce, quick broccoli recipe