15 Healthy Broccoli Recipes
There are so many reasons to love broccoli and countless delicious ways to prepare it. These Healthy Vegan Broccoli Recipes include options for side dishes, main dishes, and even breakfast!
I know quite a few people who say they don’t like broccoli, but I have to wonder if they just haven’t eaten it served properly. My sister used to proclaim that she was a lifelong broccoli hater, but she changed her tune when she was 47-years-old.
She wanted to try a plant-based diet but was afraid that she couldn’t do it because she didn’t like most vegetables and absolutely hated some of them like broccoli and cauliflower. Come to find out, she just didn’t like them overcooked which was the only way we ate them growing up. To hear more about her transformation to a healthy lifestyle, read her story, From Veggie Hater to Plant-Based.
What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli?
Broccoli is naturally healthy and has many health benefits because it’s low in calories and fat and full of fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
Healthy ways to serve broccoli include:
- Raw- Eat it raw with low-fat dips or in salads.
- Steamed- Steaming it to serve over rice dishes is a simple and terrific option.
- Stir Fries- Use it in oil-free stir-fry dishes that are low in calories and super high in taste!
- Soups- Add it to soups along with other veggies. One of my favorites is Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup.
- Casseroles- I love to add extra nutrition to casseroles, and broccoli is great for that like in this Rice & Broccoli Casserole.
Whichever way you eat it, just be sure not to overcook it. The texture of broccoli is much better when it’s cooked al dente and still has a little crunch. It turns out, that was my sister’s problem with it. She had only ever eaten broccoli when it was overcooked to mush. Once she tried it prepared correctly and healthfully in a stir-fry, it turns out she actually did like broccoli after all.
Seasoning option to make it taste better
Oftentimes, broccoli can be added to dishes like soups and casseroles, and folks never even realize it’s in there because of all the other flavors of the recipes.
If you want to do something simple like just steam broccoli and serve it over rice or a baked potato, try using some of these seasonings to liven up the flavor.
Seasoning ideas:
- Soy sauce- Adds a warm salty flavor. For those that need a gluten-free option, try amino acids because it tastes very similar to soy sauce but has no gluten.
- Seasonings- Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, season salt, and others add savory warm flavor to steamed broccoli.
- Nutritional yeast- This inactive yeast that is used for healthy seasoning has a cheesy-nutty flavor that pairs extremely well with broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous veggies. I use nutritional yeast in many different recipes.
- Spice- I like a little spicy heat and some great options include chipotle powder, red pepper flakes, or even sriracha sauce.
Whether in soup, salad, casseroles, or stir-fries, you’re going to find some terrific broccoli recipes for everyone in the family on this list.
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With different preparation methods and seasonings, this nutritious vegetable can be a hit at any dinner table. Here are some fabulous ways to serve it and have your family and friends immersed in its goodness. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button. This super easy Tofu Teriyaki dish is absolutely delicious and perfect for dinner any night of the week. Serve with rice or noodles to make a complete meal that the whole family is going to love! A classic favorite, broccoli cheese soup was one dish I missed after going dairy-free, so I worked hard to come up with this deliciously satisfying vegan version that is loaded with flavor by the spoonful. This super simple vegetable stir fry can be on the table in about 40 minutes. It’s amazingly peanuty and the rice noodles make it completely gluten-free. Casseroles just make things easier! I can make this vegan broccoli casserole recipe a day ahead and just pop it in the oven Sunday morning without all of the fuss, rushing around, and clean up. This Vegan Broccoli Salad is so creamy and light, even broccoli haters will like it. Broccoli slaw salad lovers will never realize it has a fraction of the fat and calories of the traditional recipe they are used to. These simple 15-minute Veggie Bowl Recipes are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner in a hurry. Different variations can even be prepared ahead of time to eat throughout the week when you don’t have time to meal plan. Stir-fries are so easy to make and a terrific way to use up some of those veggies in the refrigerator that need to go quickly. This Easy Veggie Stir-Fry with sweet and sour sauce is a great recipe for that, and any vegetables you prefer can be used. I love quiche because it’s creamy, delicious, and perfect for any meal–breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even holiday brunch. This vegan quiche casserole is packed with flavor and will be a huge hit no matter when you serve it. It’s so easy to make these Stir Fry Veggies, and they can be on the dinner table in less than 30-minutes. This dish is simple and very versatile since you can use whichever vegetables you happen to have on hand. This Tofu Stir Fry with Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce glazed over seared tofu and veggies is an easy stir fry that will make the whole family rush to the table. These Udon Noodles & Veggies are delicious! The noodles have a naturally sweet flavor that requires very little extra seasoning. We will definitely be making these again! This is a great way to use up leftover rice! It's not the greasy, overly salty Chinese take-out fried rice, but a fresh, light version that's not so heavy the veggies get lost. I love soup for so many reasons! Not only is it easy to make and super filling, but it reheats and freezes well too. This barley vegetable soup recipe is also super healthy and loaded with wholesome ingredients. It can be a one-pot recipe for the stovetop or even made in a slow cooker. Tempeh is fermented soybeans and is incredibly high in protein. It has a nutty, mushroom, meaty flavor, and just one serving of this recipe contains 20 grams of protein. Plus, the broccoli adds highly absorbable calcium and the dish takes just minutes to prepare! Serve this sauté over couscous or rice. Recipe from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.Oil-Free Vegan Broccoli Recipes
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
Every recipe looks delicious, so where do I begin? I’m going to start with with Pasta Veggie Stir Fry, then make the Broccoli Rice Casserole, and proceed from there!
That sounds like an excellent plan! Hope you enjoy them all. 🙂