Five Ways to Eat: Broccoli

Faith Durand
Faith DurandSenior Vice President of Content at AT Media
Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning, The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.
updated May 2, 2019
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Broccoli is famously hated by two-year-olds and presidents alike. But it’s a powerhouse of green nutrients and delicious flavor too. Here are five of our favorite ways to eat this tree-like cruciferous vegetable.

What’s your favorite way to eat broccoli?

  1. Raw! – Our favorite way to eat broccoli is in a spicy raw salad, like this recipe for Sexy, Spicy Broccoli from Melissa Clark. Lots of olive oil, chili pepper, and some garlic. Delicious! Also try this Broccoli Slaw.
  2. Steamed – Probably the easiest way to eat a head of broccoli. You can steam broccoli stalks in the microwave quickly and easily. Serve with a little salt, vinegar, and olive oil.
  3. Roasted – Crispier and darker in flavor than the ubiquitous steamed broccoli, roasting is just as easy. Here’s how to roast broccoli. Great with a little Parmesan cheese!
  4. With pasta – There’s something about the texture and taste of broccoli that we really love paired with pasta. We like it as a vegetable tossed into sausage pasta, and as an addition to a healthy feta and broccoli pasta salad.
  5. As a pasta sauce! – But broccoli isn’t just an addition to pasta; it can also be the sauce! A little oil and cheese transforms steamed broccoli into creamy, delicate green pasta sauce. It’s really delicious and a great way to eat your veggies. Here’s the recipe: Velvety broccoli and feta pasta sauce.

Here are a few other good tips and fun things about broccoli.

• Good Question: Do You Eat Broccoli Stalks?
Conscientious Cook: Good Uses for Broccoli Stalks
Virtual CSA Box: Broccoli
• Tiny Laughing Faces In Your Broccoli