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 properly served. My sister used to proclaim that she was a lifelong broccoli hater, but she changed her tune when she was 47 years old.
If you think you’re not a fan of broccoli, these creative and delicious recipes like my dairy-free cheddar broccoli soup and this vegan broccoli cauliflower salad might just change your mind! Give them a try and discover how tasty this versatile veggie can be.
Reasons you will love these recipes
- Flavorful and Creative: These vegan broccoli recipes transform this humble veggie into delicious dishes packed with bold flavors.
- Versatile Options: From creamy soups to roasted sides, these recipes showcase broccoli in a variety of exciting ways.
- Perfect for Any Meal: Whether it’s a quick snack or a hearty dinner, these broccoli recipes fit seamlessly into any menu.
Healthy ways to serve broccoli
There are so many healthy and tasty ways to prepare broccoli, from crispy roasted florets to creamy soups and more. Below are some of the best recipes to make this versatile veggie shine!
- Raw- Eat it raw with low-fat healthy 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 Vegan 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 turned out she actually did like broccoli after all.
Seasoning ideas to enhance the taste
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 in 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.
- 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 a 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 nutritional yeast plant-based 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. Check out our Broccoli Recipes page for more great recipes!
For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Frozen broccoli works great in soups, stir-fries, and casseroles; just be sure to thaw and drain excess water for best results.
Lightly steam or sauté broccoli for a few minutes to maintain its bright color and perfect crunch.
Avoid overcooking by steaming, roasting, or stir-frying broccoli for a shorter time, and pat it dry before roasting for extra crispiness.
Absolutely! Raw broccoli is perfect for recipes like my dairy-free broccoli salad, slaws, and dipping into hummus or dressings like this creamy vegan ranch dressing.
Oil-Free Vegan Broccoli Recipes
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.
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.
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.
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.
Healthy broccoli cauliflower salad recipe that’s creamy and crunchy! Filled with red onion, apples, and carrots, and covered in a tangy-sweet cashew mayo dressing.
This vegan broccoli pesto is a perfect way to get more veggies into your family. Easy to make and pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
More Healthy Veggie Recipes
I hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of healthy vegan broccoli recipes and found plenty of inspiration for creating delicious menu plans. These recipes make it easy to turn broccoli into a star ingredient!
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. 🙂