Healthy garlic-sauteed broccoli with cranberries and pinenuts turns a regular side dish into something special. It takes just 10 minutes to make and is perfect on its own or with any main course such as fish, chicken, beef, lamb, or pork.
Table of Content
My kids love bright green veggies like broccoli. Family and friends are often surprised by how our kids enjoy broccoli. The truth is sauteed broccoli or roasted cauliflower is always our favorite healthy side to eat any day of the week.
Why make this broccoli?
- Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, which means that it belongs to the same family of vegetables that includes cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. Learn about the benefits of eating broccoli here.
- Sautéing is an easy way to prepare vegetables, but sometimes they turn out overcooked or mushy. This recipe will help cook broccoli until it's crisp tender and perfect.
- And all the ingredients are fresh, simple, and easy to find or pantry staples.
- Also, broccoli takes just 10 minutes to prepare on the stovetop. So, it's a quick and easy side to make with any main course.
- Today, we add cranberries and pine nuts. As a result, it's the perfect side dish to serve with festive meals like roast chicken, leg of lamb, lamb roast or beef roast.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Broccoli - Fresh broccoli can be found all year round in most supermarkets. But, you can also use cauliflower in this recipe. Break the large head into smaller broccoli florets.
- Garlic - Of course, use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Oil - I prefer extra-virgin olive oil for flavor, but any cooking oil such as coconut, peanuts, or sunflower works just as well.
- Lemon - A drizzle of lemon adds a refreshing flavor to the vegetables.
- Optional ingredients:
- Butter - A tablespoon of butter adds a wonderful flavor to the broccoli.
- Soy sauce - If you've never had a little soy sauce with your broccoli, then you are in for a wonderful surprise. It does add a wonderful flavor. Try it!
- Red pepper flakes - A little spice really does a lot to the broccoli. But I omit it because my kids don't fancy it.
- Parmesan cheese - Sometimes, a dash of parmesan at the end really adds that little wow factor. And if you use Parmesan, make sure to use less salt because Parmesan is salty.
- Spices - Of course, if you like spice you can also add a sprinkle of coriander or cumin.
- Lemon zest - If you like the flavor of lemon, then ½ teaspoon lemon zest is a great addition.
Garlic sauteed broccoli with cranberries
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Cook these for a minute, then add the broccoli florets.
Pro tip - Make sure the florets are in a single layer so they cook evenly.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of water, cover the skillet and cook on low for 3 to 4 minutes.
Pro tip - Covering the pan will keep the stem inside, which helps soften the stalk making them tender. - Check to ensure the stalks (stems) are tender. If not, cook uncovered for another 2 minutes. Add the cranberries and pine nuts (or other nuts).
Pro tip - We do not cook broccoli covered for more than 4 minutes because it may lose its beautiful green color.
- Drizzle with lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning adding a pinch of salt and black pepper if necessary.
Pro tip - If there is excess water in the pot, cook on medium-high heat to evaporate it.
More side dish recipes
- Cream of Broccoli Soup or Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Chicken and Broccoli Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry
- Carrot Zucchini Fritters or Oven-Baked Carrot Sticks
- Sauteed Asparagus Recipe or Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
- Oven-baked Butternut Squash Fries
- See all side Dish recipes
Frequenty asked questions
I love serving broccoli as soon as it is ready. But, this side will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Broccoli should not take more than 10 minutes. It is important to not cover and steam it for more than 4 to 5 minutes. Otherwise, it can lose its beautiful green color.
No, there is no need. In fact, I prefer not to boil it because the steam created during the cooking process is just enough to make it tender as well as keep it crisp.
This side dish is perfect with any main course. We love it on the side of pasta, rice, slow-cooked meals, roast, steak, as well as roast chicken, leg of lamb, grilled chicken, or fish.
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Printable Recipe
Garlic Sautéed Broccoli with Cranberries
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Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500 g) Broccoli (cut into small florets)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 large Garlic cloves (sliced)
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- ¼ cup Dried cranberries
- ¼ cup Pinenuts
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Cook these for a minute, then add the broccoli florets. Pro tip - Make sure the florets are in a single layer so they cook evenly.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of water, cover the skillet and cook on low for 3 to 4 minutes. Pro tip - Covering the pan will keep the stem inside which helps soften the stalk making them tender.
- Check to ensure the stalks (stems) are tender. If not, cook uncovered for another 2 minutes. Add the cranberries and pine nuts (or other nuts).Pro tip - We do not cook broccoli covered for more than 4 minutes because it may lose its beautiful green color.
- Drizzle with lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning adding a pinch of salt and black pepper if necessary.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- First, separate the broccoli into small similar size florets.
- Saute with oil for 2 minutes. This will cook the garlic ginger and coat the broccoli with oil.
- Cover the pan and steam for just 4 minutes. Covering helps soften the tough stalks, which will get kids eating the whole broccoli not just the tops!
- Dry excess moisture, check tenderness, and season for the last 2 minutes.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Liz
I've been looking for some new broccoli recipe ideas! We are huge broccoli fans at our house! Excited to give this recipe a try!