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Sometimes the simple meals and recipes taste just as good as the complex ones, don’t you think? Take this sauteed broccoli with garlic, for example. It’s incredibly easy, and just 3 ingredients, but SO good, even though it’s SO simple. I love serving this sauteed broccoli recipe as a side for a low carb dinner, or as part of a meal prep lunch. The pan fried broccoli recipe is easily adapted to any type of cuisine… meaning there’s never a bad time for broccoli stir fry! Add it to chicken or steak, and you’ve got yourself a full meal that’s both healthy and delicious.
Broccoli is one of those foods that sometimes gets a bad reputation, but I really believe that it’s all about the preparation! Soggy, mushy steamed broccoli without any fat or flavor? No thanks! But broccoli roasted? Crisp in a salad? Crunchy in a stir fry? YES PLEASE!
All broccoli needs is a bit of fat, a bit of seasonings (garlic and salt in this one!), and the right cooking technique. Those small tweaks will turn those who are broccoli-afraid into broccoli-obsessed!
How To Make Sauteed Broccoli With Garlic
First things first. I’m going to show you how to saute broccoli. It’s fast, it’s easy, it’s healthy!
A sauteed garlic broccoli recipe makes the perfect side, no matter if you’re keto, paleo, low carb, or nothing at all! Oh, and kids love this one too, because it doesn’t have that bland steamed broccoli factor. It’s a lot like sauteed zucchini — the edges get perfectly browned and caramelized!
Here is the best method for how to make sauteed broccoli with garlic:
- Cut the broccoli into florets. It’s up to you how big you make them, but I recommend the size pictured below.
TIP: Slice the florets in half. This will give you more browned edges, and ensure even, faster cooking.
- Saute the garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute just until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. If it starts browning, just take the pan off the heat and add the broccoli.
- Stir fry broccoli. Add broccoli florets to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, until broccoli starts to turn bright green and brown a bit.
- Add water to pan, cover, and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, until crisp-tender.
TIP: Broccoli will shrink by about 25% when cooking, so 4 cups of raw broccoli will yield about 3 cups cooked broccoli.
How Long To Saute Broccoli?
The cook time for sauteed broccoli florets will vary a bit depending on the size, but I like to cook mine for about 6-9 minutes total. This includes the browning step and steaming step – but don’t worry, it’s all in one pan!
My cooking method is a bit different as I start the broccoli in a pan with oil to let it brown a bit, then finish it with some water to steam it until it reaches the perfect texture. It’s lightly browned and crispy, but still tender and crisp. The best of both broccoli worlds. 🙂
Is Sauteed Broccoli Healthy?
Yes, this keto sauteed broccoli recipe is healthy. When you’re trying to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, this is a great one to try, as it’s delicious as it is nutritious!
It’s obviously keto, low carb, paleo, whole30, and just plain GOOD for you.
Can You Make Pan Fried Broccoli Ahead?
This broccoli sauteed with garlic and olive oil is best served fresh, but it also reheats really nicely. If you’re planning on making it ahead of time, cook it for 1-2 minutes less so that when you re-heat it, it doesn’t get mushy!
Can You Freeze Broccoli Stir Fry?
This broccoli stir fry recipe is best fresh, but you can freeze it if necessary. After you cool the broccoli florets, spread them out onto a lined cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag.
Reheat just until hot. It will lose a little crunch, but still shouldn’t be mushy!
More Healthy Broccoli Recipes
I loooooooove broccoli! Served as a side like simple sauteed broccoli, or turned into a main meal, salad, or even rice! If you like this pan fried broccoli recipe, you might also like these easy broccoli recipes:
- Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup – Just 5 ingredients! This recipe is one of the most popular on my entire site!
- Paleo Keto Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry – This broccoli stir fry recipe is full of flavor. Serve over cauliflower rice for double the veggies!
- Low Carb Broccoli Cauliflower Salad – This classic salad gets better as it sits, so it’s perfect to make ahead for picnics or parties.
- Roasted Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower – If you’re a fan of simple sides, this one goes with virtually everything.
Tools To Make Sauteed Broccoli Stir Fry
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Silicone Utensil Set – Functional and they look great on the counter, I love this set!
- Ceramic Nonstick Chef Pan – One of my favorite pans for just about everything, pan fried broccoli included!
- Glass Containers – To store any broccoli stir fry leftovers, or use for meal prep containers.
Sauteed Garlic Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Sauteed Broccoli Recipe (With Garlic)
This easy sauteed broccoli recipe with garlic takes less than 15 minutes and creates perfect crisp-tender florets with browned edges.
Recipe Video
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Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
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Add the broccoli florets. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Increase heat to medium high. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, until the broccoli starts to turn bright green and brown a bit.
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Add the water. Cover with a lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until broccoli is crisp-tender. (There will be steam under the lid.) Remove the lid and if there is any water remaining, stir fry for another minute until it evaporates. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 3/4 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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24 Comments
mary
0This was simply the best! I thoroughly enjoyed the crunch and moist. It was just perfect and the garlic really complimented. Thanks for sharing!
Melinda
0Can I use frozen broccoli? If so, do I thaw it first? Please advise. Thank you!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Melinda, For best results, I recommend fresh broccoli. Frozen can be used, but the texture will be more mushy.
Keri
0Thank you , this recipe is really simple and tasty!
Wani
0Good
Dhir
0Hey, should the broccoli be boiled?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Dhir, No, the broccoli should not be boiled first.
Lynda Pedersen
0This is so good with the added bonus of being quick to make. Do you think it would work with fresh green beans? I usually roast my green beans but wondering if this would work as an alternative. I love fresh vegetables and always looking for new ways to prepare.
Anjellica
0Wow this was so delicious and easy. Reminded me of the broccoli I’d get from a good chinese resturant.
Donna
0I just made this. It’s still hot in the pan
I used 3 tsp of minced garlic and its Delicious
Thanks for sharing. I’ll be doing this again
Sharon
0Love it!! Yummy. I eat the whole dish by myself.
MAŁGORZATA
0SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD. So easy, too.
The only way I am going to have broccoli from now on!
Nush
0This is literally the best homemade sautéed broccoli I have made. Super easy (def beats baking/roasting), super flavorful and super quick. After searching forever, I have finally found “the one”!!
Sylvia Turcotte
0Quick and easy and healthy. Good everyday recipe
Jules Shepard
0Is there a prettier vegetable than broccoli? I don’t think so. This is beautiful and delish!
Amy
0This looks so healthy and the perfect side dish!
Claudia Lamascolo
0I love all the facts here and broccoli isa staple in our home so the extra links for recipes is where I am going next!
Veena Azmanov
0I love the flavor of Garlic. This is surely healthy too.
Debra
0This is both a simple and tasty recipe. I so appreciate this cooking method….quick and easy. The garlic in here adds the perfect flavor without being over powering. Thanks for a great recipe.
mariya
0I added a little bit of soy sauce after I already plated, and Mmmmm, perfect. (I didn’t add the additional salt and pepper when steaming!)
Beth
0So simple, yet so flavorful – you are speaking my language!! I’m always on the lookout for quick and tasty side dishes like this one – thank you!
Nellie Tracy
0There’s nothing like delicious sauteed broccoli! Love this!!
Donna
0Well I thought I knew how to make a simple broccoli side dish, but this just blows that out of the water. Still simple, but this way adds so much flavour!! Cooked just perfectly
Jenna Urben
0Yess, we are total garlic lovers over here. Such a perfect side disk for any occasion! Will def be trying this for dinner soon.