on Jan 15, 2013, Updated Jul 18, 2024 24 Comments Broccoli is a tasty and nutritious vegetable for your family’s meals. It is delicious in salads like my Broccoli Salad, soups like my Broccoli Cheese Soup, side dishes like this one, and so much more! My family enjoys this broccoli recipe as a side dish – it’s cooked until tender yet retains so much flavor. I’ve named it “broccoli for picky eaters” because the ones I know enjoy it! This is very similar to how my Mama would prepare it to get me to eat it as a child, so I adapted it long ago when I started cooking it myself. While we love broccoli prepared in many other ways, I can always count on this stovetop broccoli recipe to be a crowd-pleaser! Broccoli can be deliciously prepared in so many ways. However, what we may love as adults might not meet the expectations of our little, sometimes picky eaters. My mama found that I would eat it as a child when it was prepared very similarly to my current recipe, so I used it and slightly changed it to meet the taste preferences of my own family. It’s easy to prepare, so let me share how I cook this broccoli for picky eaters.
How to Make the Best Stovetop Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information. There are a few ingredients you’ll need to prepare this broccoli recipe:
broccoli – fresh bunches, or heads, of broccoli that have been washed well olive oil – extra virgin olive oil butter (optional) – While it may be optional, I find that it adds a rich flavor that makes it so delicious that everyone loves it. salt and pepper – use to taste water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare. Clean the bunches of broccoli, then cut the stalks up close to the florets as evenly as possible. Clean the stalks with a vegetable peeler to remove any leaves. Then, slice the florets on the stalks into approximately 1-inch pieces. Cook. Place the florets into a large, heavy-bottomed pot, cover with water, and add olive oil. Cook as directed until you can pierce the stalk with the tines of a fork (about 20-30 minutes). I cook this broccoli longer than I would if I wanted it to turn out somewhat “crisp.” Again, this broccoli is tender to chew and has a lot of flavor that picky little ones (and adults) love. Serve. Remove the florets with a slotted spoon and put them into a serving bowl. If you’re using butter, add it to the warm broccoli, along with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Storage Tips
Best eaten warm after it’s cooked. Place cooled broccoli in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Here’s my broccoli recipe for picky eaters. I hope you love it too! Enjoy!Robyn xo
