How to steam broccoli in oven that is packed with flavor while still being a healthy side dish to serve with just about any meal! Topped with a bit of parmesan it’s the best way we’ve found to cook this delicate vegetable to perfection.
If you only know how to boil broccoli this keeps more of it’s vitamins and nutrients but comes out fork tender just like you love it to be.
Here’s an easy steamed broccoli recipe to try yourself. With the new year arriving here soon we always have good intentions to exercise more and eat healthier. Healthy really doesn’t have to mean bland, like this tasty steamed broccoli recipe that incorporates a bit of cheese and lots of flavor! (post may contain affiliate links)
How to Steam Broccoli in Oven
Over the years we have set a goal to serve a veggie at every meal for us and to get our children to appreciate the taste of fresh vegetables and it’s been a success!
Most times they’d rather have a plate full of greenery than meat, and serving it almost every day has been the key. Fresh produce is always best but you can even do this if it’s rock hard. The best way to do that is to follow our air fryer frozen broccoli instructions.
I got a small steamer when I went off to college and it was so great I bought a larger one when I got married.. If you don’t have one I highly recommend it.
If you have a pressure cooker it takes just 1 minute to make broccoli. You can see how fast I made these easy Instant Pot artichokes which are also really healthy! Just bake a few breasts, throw the rice and broccoli in the steamer and seriously in less than 30 minutes you’ve got yourself a healthy meal. This is one of my 8 year old’s favorite meals now!
Ingredients
- Use broth or water to cook broccoli to tender
- One to two crowns which you will cut into large bite size fresh broccoli florets
- or this is how to bake frozen broccoli
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil and seasonings (at least salt and pepper we use)
- 1/2 fresh lemon juice when served is optional
- Parmesan cheese optional
- Red pepper flakes could be added if you wanted to make our cajun garlic butter sauce for dipping
Beyond that you need aluminum foil, a freezer bag or bowl and a baking sheet. If you use foil you could cook this over a campfire this same way too. In the oven you could lay on a sheet with high sides and cover with foil to steam.
When you cut broccoli you only want the florets like you see here. The trees if you will. The bottom part of the head of broccoli, the stem, can be discarded. For the directions you just;
How to Steam Broccoli in Oven
- Rinse and cut broccoli into 2-inch florets. Lay on paper towels and gently press to remove moisture from outsides. Put into freezer bag with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper and minced garlic. Zip and toss to coat.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Use a large piece of foil large enough to wrap florets. Pour on to foil and fold the sides up to create a sort of bowl. Pour in coated florets + broth. Set on a baking sheet (in case it leaks) and fold up to seal shut on the top.
- Put on middle shelf in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until they are as tender as you would like them to be.
- Add lemon juice over top and sprinkle parmesan before serving.
If you wanted a bit of browning you can uncover for the last few minutes to roast broccoli. You can jump to recipe below or we have a few other tips below you may enjoy.
We are all about cheese sauce too. A parmesan asiago mix is perfect for this vegetable side dish too. But if you prefer one over the other just use either! A bit of fresh lemon always brings a freshness to any recipe so I’d have a few around to use on your dishes.
Easy Steamed Broccoli Recipe
It’s an easy non fat way to really bring a lot of flavor to fish, veggies, and we make fresh squeezed lemonade often because it is just SO good! If you’re looking to make Instant Pot broccoli refer to this cooking times guide. We also have air fryer broccoli that is incredible.
- Glazed carrots are yummy if you’re looking for other vegetable side dishes.
- We love salt and pepper zucchini chips too if you’re looking for more ideas.
Steam Broccoli in Oven
Equipment
- 1 freezer bag
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1/2 c broth, or water
- 1-2 crown broccoli
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- 1/4 c parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Rinse and cut broccoli into 2-inch florets. Lay on paper towels and gently press to remove moisture from outsides. Put into freezer bag with olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper and minced garlic. Zip and toss to coat.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Use a large piece of foil large enough to wrap florets. Pour on to foil and fold the sides up to create a sort of bowl. Pour in coated florets + broth. Set on a baking sheet (in case it leaks) and fold up to seal shut on the top.
- Put on middle shelf in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until they are as tender as you would like them to be.
- Add lemon juice over top and sprinkle parmesan before serving.
- ** If you don't want to create a bowl with foil you could use a baking sheet with a large lip and just cover the pan with foil, though this may take a few minutes longer
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
