Simple and Tender Steamed Broccoli

Tender yet firm with a bright pop of green, this steamed broccoli is a great side dish for any night of the week and ready in less than 5 minutes. Outside of eating broccoli raw, steaming offers the greatest retention of vitamins and nutrients found in this cruciferous vegetable. This simple steamed broccoli recipe was a great way to introduce our kids to this amazing green superfood.

It was important to us to have broccoli be a part of our kids diet. Broccoli is a powerful food that can do wonders for your body. Especially for children, broccoli contains a compound called kaempferol that has been found to help support kids’ healthy brain function and growth. Broccoli also contains calcium, which plays an important role in children’s bone and tooth health by helping keep them strong!

What you need to make Simple and Tender Steamed Broccoli:

THE HARDWARE: Here are two options for what you can use to steam broccoli, or any vegetable. The one on the left is called a folding steamer basket and can fit into almost any vessel with a tight fitting lid. The second one, on the right, fits into a stack and steam pot – this one has handles which makes it easier to remove from the pot once it is hot.

How to make Simple and Tender Steamed Broccoli:

CHOP IT: Cut the florets or head of broccoli into equal bite size pieces. This will cut down on the cook time and be more appealing to the kiddos.

STEAM IT: Add just enough water to your steamer pot so that it sits below the steamer basket without touching and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and place steamer basket, with broccoli, into the pot. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and let steam for 3-4 minutes. Test with fork to assess doneness.

SEASON IT: Season with a light sprinkling of salt or some parmesan cheese.

We try to serve a green vegetable with every meal, and one of our favorite meals is having this steamed broccoli with teriyaki salmon and jasmine rice.