Microwave Broccoli

A simple recipe for microwave broccoli, the easiest way to prepare the vegetable, simply dressed with melted butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

I have quite a few broccoli recipes on this blog, some more elaborate than others. And I make all of them often – I really like broccoli.

But I’ll be honest with you. When I have broccoli head in the fridge or a bag of broccoli florets, and it’s time to start dinner, eight times out of ten I use this recipe. Part of it is that, just like you, I’m lazy 😉 . Another part is that freshly steamed, tender-crisp broccoli is so delicious!

The ingredients you’ll need

You’ll only need five simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

1. Fresh broccoli florets: I’m lazy, so I buy the pre-washed bags.
2. Kosher salt: If you use fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use.
3. Black pepper: Freshly ground tastes best.
4. Fresh lemon juice: It’s OK to use bottled lemon juice, but fresh does taste better.
5. Butter: I use unsalted butter, and I love yellow creamy European butter!

How do you microwave fresh broccoli?

It’s easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. These are the basic steps:

1. You place the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add a little water.
3. Cover, and microwave on high for 4 minutes.
4. Add your dressing, toss and serve.

I dress the broccoli with the simplest dressing. A squeeze of lemon juice, a little melted butter or a drizzle of olive oil, coarse salt, and black pepper. As long as the broccoli isn’t overcooked, it’s delightful – tasty, fresh, and crisp.

Is it bad to cook broccoli in the microwave?

On the contrary! Microwaves are considered safe. And a clear advantage of cooking vegetables in the microwave is that it’s a healthier cooking method compared to boiling in water. No nutrients are lost in the cooking water.

What to serve with microwave broccoli?

This side dish goes with anything! It’s truly versatile. It goes with beef, poultry, and seafood. It can also make a great side to vegetarian dishes. I often serve this dish as a side to one of these main dishes:

• Baked catfish
• Butter chicken
• Spicy shrimp
• Cheeseburger casserole

Can I keep the leftovers?

You can keep leftovers for 3-4 days in the fridge, in an airtight container. But they won’t be as good as when served fresh. They tend to become a little soggy. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave on 50% power.

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4.98 from 69 votes

Microwave Broccoli

A simple recipe for microwave broccoli, the easiest way to prepare the vegetable, simply dressed with melted butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 84kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. fresh broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place the broccoli in a large microwave safe bowl. Add 1/4 cup water.
• Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes.
• Remove the plate carefully – hot steam will escape. Season the microwave broccoli with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, fresh lemon juice and melted butter. Serve immediately.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

Watch the video – see how easy it is to make microwave broccoli, and how gorgeous the broccoli turns out, vibrant green and perfectly tender-crisp:

NUTRITION INFO Nutrition info is approximate and may contain errors. It is calculated using the SparkPeople.com recipe calculator, and the carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Please feel free to make your own calculations. Please read the disclaimers in our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Please verify they are before using.

Nutrition Facts

Microwave Broccoli

Amount Per Serving

Calories 84 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Sodium 311mg14%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 3g6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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