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Home | Salad and Sides | Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic

Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic

By: Erin Indahl-Fink
Modified: October 30, 2025 - Published: January 5, 2023 - No Comments

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Need an easy and flavorful way to prepare broccoli? This sauteed broccoli with garlic is simple to make and tastes amazing. This sauteed broccoli recipe is a fantastic side dish and is versatile enough to be prepared with just about any dinner.

Sauteed broccoli in a skillet and in a serving bowl.

Do you love the idea of preparing broccoli as a side dish, but just not sure how to make it? This simple sauteed broccoli recipe will have you grabbing broccoli at the store every week.

Simply made, this easy broccoli recipe comes together with just olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Keeping the ingredients simple helps create a super versatile side that can be served with pasta, meats, and more!

Ingredients needed to make sauteed broccoli with garlic.

What do I need to make sauteed broccoli?

Here’s a check-list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this sauteed broccoli recipe:

  • Broccoli crowns or florets – most grocery stores sell broccoli in larger crowns, but you can also purchase packets of pre-trimmed broccoli florets as well.
  • Garlic – you can mince your own garlic cloves or use jarred, minced garlic.
  • Lemon juice – the lemon juice will help neutralize the flavor of the broccoli.
  • Olive oil – needed for sautéing the garlic and broccoli.
  • Salt and Pepper – basic seasoning is great for keeping this side dish versatile.

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!

Broccoli in a skillet before being steamed.
Broccoli in a skillet after being steamed.

How do I make sauteed broccoli?

Start by steaming the broccoli. This is helpful in softening the flesh and giving it a more tender bite.

To steam the broccoli, place the broccoli florets in a skillet along with water. Heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. It will not take long for the broccoli to become more tender. You’ll notice the broccoli becomes a very bright, vibrant green.

Transfer the steamed broccoli to bowl and cover to keep warm.

Garlic in a pan being sauteed for broccoli.
Sauteed broccoli with garlic in a skillet.

In the same skillet, add olive oil and heat over medium high heat. Sautee the garlic until golden and fragrant. Add in the steamed broccoli and sauté for 2 minutes. Add in the lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Benefits of having broccoli in your diet:

  • Nutrient Dense – broccoli is a highly nutritious food, and is a great source of Vitamin C, B6 and an excellent source of fiber.
  • Anti-inflammatory – broccoli is a great food to include in your diet to help fight inflammation.
  • Cancer fighter – broccoli is considered a super-food, and includes health protective effects and antioxidants to help protect against certain types of cancer.
Sauteed broccoli served with chicken thighs and potatoes.
Honey sesame chicken on plate, with chopsticks.

What can I serve with sauteed broccoli?

Sauteed broccoli is very versatile and a great vegetable to pair with just about any meal. Pictured above are my Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and my Honey Sesame Chicken.

Here are some other recipes that would be great paired with this sauteed broccoli recipe:

  • Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken
  • Mongolian Beef Noodles
  • Maple Glazed Air Fryer Salmon
  • Italian Grilled Chicken
  • Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
  • Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
  • Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe
  • Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
  • Balsamic Steak Marinade for grilled steaks

Frequently asked questions about how to cook broccoli:

What is the best cooking method for broccoli?

Steaming is good if you like a softer, more tender broccoli. Sauteing is the best if you like broccoli to be more firm and flavorful.

What can I add to broccoli to make it taste better?

Broccoli is great when you add in garlic, lemon juice and simple seasoning, like salt and pepper. You can also add seasoning mixes like lemon pepper seasoning or a garlic seasoning salt.

Why is my broccoli mushy?

Broccoli will quickly become mushy and fall apart if it is cooked too long. Avoid boiling broccoli. When steaming broccoli, steam it for just 2-3 minutes to get it tender yet still firm to the bite.

Sauteed broccoli with garlic in a serving bowl.

Do you love cooking with broccoli? Here are some of our most popular recipes that have broccoli:

  • Chicken Tortellini Alfredo with Broccoli
  • Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
  • Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
  • Mac and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli
  • Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
  • Chicken Broccoli Cheese Soup
  • Sheet Pan Sweet and Sour Shrimp

If you loved this broccoli recipe, check out some of these other vegetable side dish recipes:

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Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic

Erin Indahl-Fink
Wondering how to cook broccoli as a side dish? This simple, delicious sauteed broccoli with garlic is easy to make and tastes amazing. With simple ingredients this sauteed broccoli recipe is versatile enough as a side dish for just about any meal.
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Sauteed broccoli with garlic in a serving bowl.
Print Recipe Remove Ads Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 13 minutes mins
Course Salad and Sides
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 97 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Skillet This Anolon 12" nonstick skillet is a great versatile skillet for any kitchen!
  • Serrated Utility Knife This 5" serrated utility knife is the ideal multi-purpose knife!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. broccoli crowns trimmed into florets
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • To a large skillet add the trimmed broccoli florets and the water. Cover the skillet with a lid. Heat over medium heat until the water begins to simmer. Steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, drain off any excess water and transfer the steamed broccoli to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
  • To the same skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium high heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes or until light golden brown and fragrant. Add in the steamed broccoli and toss together in the garlic and oil for 1-2 minutes until lightly seared.
  • Serve right away while hot.

Notes

For a more firm broccoli, steam for just 1 minute. For a more tender broccoli steam for 3-4 minutes, but no longer. If steamed for too long, the broccoli will become mushy and fall apart.
Seasoning; customize your seasoning to the meal you are serving the broccoli with. Salt, pepper and Italian seasoning for pastas, lemon pepper seasoning goes well with fish and other lemony dishes. Garlic pepper seasoning salt is great with beef.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 166mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Keyword sauteed broccoli, sauteed broccoli recipe, sauteed broccoli with garlic
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Sauteed broccoli in a skillet with garlic, and on a plate with chicken and potatoes.
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