Steamed Broccoli with Toasted Garlic and Lemon
A light and healthy side dish of tender steamed broccoli tossed with toasted garlic and fresh lemon juice. It is simple to put together and pairs well with grilled, fried, or braised main dishes for a balanced meal.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 63kcal
Cost: $
Equipment
- 1 Pot For boiling water to generate steam.
- 1 Steamer Basket Holds the broccoli above the boiling water.
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli cut into florets
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon toasted garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 piece lemon
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli well and cut it into bite size florets.1 head broccoli
- Pour the water into a pot and bring it to a boil.3 cups water
- Arrange the broccoli in a steamer basket and place it over the boiling water.1 head broccoli
- Cover the pot and steam the broccoli for 4 to 6 minutes, or until tender but still bright green.1 head broccoli
- Transfer the steamed broccoli to a bowl. Add the toasted garlic.1 head broccoli, 1 tablespoon toasted garlic
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the broccoli. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Toss gently until well coated.1 piece lemon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Transfer to a serving plate. Serve warm as a side with your preferred main dish for the day. Share and enjoy!
Notes
Ice bath option – For a brighter green color and crisper texture, transfer the steamed broccoli to a bowl of ice water right after steaming, then drain well before tossing with the garlic and lemon.
Toasted garlic shortcut – You can make your own by slowly frying thinly sliced garlic in neutral oil over low heat until golden, then draining on paper towels. Save the garlic-infused oil for other dishes.
Make ahead – Steam the broccoli up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat briefly in the steamer or microwave, then toss with the garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper right before serving so the flavors stay fresh.
Serving variation – A light drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of chili flakes adds richness and a mild kick if you want to dress it up a bit.
Nutrition
Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 953IU | Vitamin C: 151mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 1mg