10 Minute Garlic Butter Broccoli

Garlic butter broccoli is a quick and simple side dish that takes less than 10 minutes to make! Tender broccoli florets get tossed in garlic butter and parmesan. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Steamed Broccoli:

Confession: As much as I love crispy, oven roasted broccoli, my favorite way to make broccoli is in the microwave! It's so dang simple.

Most people I know equate steamed broccoli with mushy limp broccoli, but this shouldn't be the case!

Steamed broccoli should be bright green and tender, but never mushy. If it's mushy, it's overcooked!

This garlic butter broccoli recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make!

Key Ingredients:

• Broccoli florets - I buy a bunch of broccoli crowns, then cut them into florets. You can purchase pre-cut florets. Just make sure they're not too big.
• Unsalted butter - I always buy unsalted butter and add my own salt. If you only have salted butter, omit the salt from this recipe.
• Garlic - The amount of garlic you add is a personal preference. I used one clove, but you can use two.
• Lemon - A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens up this recipe! Fresh lemons are a staple for us.
• Parmesan - You can buy pre-grated or grate a block of parmesan. Both work great!
• Oregano - For a subtle herby flavor.
• Kosher salt - Salt is key to flavorful food. If you only have table salt, reduce the amount by half.

How to Make Garlic Butter Broccoli:

There's three easy steps to this recipe:

• Steam the broccoli - Steam the broccoli florets in the microwave. They should be bright green and tender but firm. They shouldn't be overly soft or mushy! Alternatively, you can steam them on the stovetop.
• Melt the butter - Melt the butter and garlic, then add the parmesan, lemon, salt, and oregano. The garlic will cook slightly in the hot butter.

• Toss together - Pour the melted garlic butter over the broccoli. Use a large spoon to toss the ingredients together. Top with more parmesan and a sprinkle of salt.

How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave:

The process is very simple!

• Cut the broccoli heads into florets. Or buy them already cut up.
• Place the florets in a microwave-safe bowl. Don't use metal! Look for a bowl that is labeled microwave-safe.
• Add enough water to steam the broccoli. A quarter cup works nicely.
• Cover the broccoli with a microwave-safe plate. If you don't cover the bowl, the broccoli cooks unevenly. The bottom cooks quickly and the top doesn't.

• Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. I start with three, check the broccoli and stir it, then cook for another minute or so.
• The broccoli is finished when it's bright green and tender yet firm. It shouldn't be overly soft or mushy! If it's too hard, cook it for 30 more seconds.

Expert Tips:

• The broccoli will continue to cook after you remove it from the microwave. If it's soft like butter when you pull it out, it's overcooked.
• If you prefer to cook the broccoli in a steamer pot, that works too! Again, don't overcook it! Once the broccoli is finished, don't leave it in the steamer pot. Transfer it to a bowl or it will continue to cook even when it's off the heat.
• Add as much or little garlic as you like! I don't like my veggies to be garlic-heavy so I used one clove. You can use two if you like! Just remember to let the garlic sit in the hot butter. It mellows the flavor a bit.

Storage:

• Steamed broccoli is best when it's freshly cooked!
• That being said, you can transfer the broccoli to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Easy Side Dish Recipes:

• Crispy Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
• Roasted Honey Gold Potatoes with Cilantro Vinaigrette
• Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
• Crispy Tenderstem Broccoli