Tender Garlic Butter Steamed Broccoli
A quick and easy side dish featuring tender steamed broccoli tossed in rich garlic butter and fresh lemon juice, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head fresh broccoli (about 4 cups florets), washed and trimmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt (sea salt flakes recommended)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Rinse the broccoli thoroughly under cold water. Cut into bite-sized florets (about 4 cups) and trim stalks into 1-inch pieces if desired.
- Fill a pot with 1 to 1½ inches of water, ensuring it does not touch the steamer basket or colander. Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat with the lid off.
- Place broccoli florets into the steamer basket and lower into the pot. Cover with lid and steam for 4-6 minutes, checking at 4 minutes for fork-tender but still crisp broccoli.
- While broccoli steams, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, avoiding burning.
- Remove broccoli from steamer and transfer to a serving bowl. Pour warm garlic butter over broccoli. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Optional: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Do not oversteam broccoli to avoid mushiness; aim for tender-crisp texture. Melt garlic in butter over moderate heat to prevent burning. Drain excess water from broccoli before adding butter if needed. Toss broccoli while butter is warm for better flavor absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 150g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 230
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: garlic butter broccoli, steamed broccoli, healthy side dish, easy broccoli recipe, quick vegetable side