Garlic Butter Broccoli Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/garlic-butter-broccoli-recipe/
