This Steamed Broccoli Rabe is so incredibly aromatic and simple. This easy dish combines tender broccoli with garlic and spices for a delicious side dish.
Broccoli is a leafy green vegetable made up of stems, buds, and leaves, all of which are edible. You may also have seen that it’s called Rapini. The heads of this vegetable are small, not large like regular broccoli, and they taste slightly bitter. However, when cooked just right, they take on an incredible flavor.
This Steamed Broccoli Rabe is a simple and easy to make dish that packs a lot of flavor. Sautéed in fresh garlic and with just a touch of heat, these veggies have a sweeter, milder flavor that’s delicious. This is a wonderful accompaniment to any main course you decide to serve it with.
video guide
main ingredients
- Broccoli Rabe. Use fresh broccoli.
- Olive oil. This recipe tastes best with extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic. This gives this dish a great flavor.
- Red pepper flakes. For just a touch of warmth. Use more or less depending on what you like.
- Salt pepper. Taste.
How to make steamed broccoli rabe
1. Wash a bunch of broccoli and place on a cutting board. Cut off the tips of the broccoli stalks and discard. Then cut the bunch in half and separate the leaves from the thick stems. Place them in two separate bowls.
2. Pour the olive oil into a large saucepan and add the garlic. Cook the garlic over medium heat until it starts to brown.
3. Now add the water and the stalks of the broccoli. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and let it cook for 15 minutes.
4. Add the leaf parts by placing the leaves directly on the stems, then season with salt. Cover again and cook for another 15 minutes, making sure there is still enough liquid left. Taste and add more salt and black pepper if needed.
Helpful tips & tricks
- Use fresh broccoli. Choose a fresh bouquet with nice green stems and firm little heads. Remove any parts that appear yellow before you start cooking.
- Be careful with the garlic. This ingredient burns easily, so keep an eye on it to make sure it just barely browns. The burning will result in a bitter taste in your steamed Rabe Broccoli.
- Separate stems and leaves. It’s important to cook the stalks first because they are tougher and take longer, while the leaves are more tender. Separating them allows them to cook evenly.
- Use enough water. If you notice that your broccoli rabe isn’t soft but the water has evaporated completely, add a sprinkle more. Or if you notice it’s fully cooked but there’s extra water in the pot, remove the lid to allow it to evaporate.
Variations on this recipe
- Set the spice level. If you like it spicy, then feel free to add more paprika flakes or some cayenne pepper. Or if you don’t like it spicy, omit these ingredients altogether.
- Add pine nuts. Adding these little nuts adds a deliciously smooth, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness. They harmonize very well with the slightly bitter taste of Broccoli Rabe.
- Add a little more acid. Some light acidity is delicious with these vegetables. Squirt in some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
- Add different vegetables. You can also make this recipe with green beans, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, or spinach.
How to store and reheat it
Store this steamed broccoli rabe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
What to serve this steamed broccoli Rabe with
- proteins. Serve with these vegetables Chicken and Rice Casserole, Spinach Stuffed Salmon, Easy Rigatoni Bologneseor Baked Black Bean Taquitos.
- sandwiches Use this steamed broccoli rabe as a side to a Chickpea Carrot Salad Sandwich, Beef Sandwich on Naan Bread, Easy Tuna Melt Sandwichor Roasted Pepper Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
- Potatoes. Pair it with Parmesan Mashed Potato Cake, Baked Potatoes, Baked Potatoesor Fried parmesan potatoes.
- Soup. Serve this vegetable with a bowl Lentil and kale soup, turkey cabbage soup, hearty beef barley soupor Chicken and cheese dumpling soup.
You will love this steamed broccoli rabe. It’s aromatic, simple, and versatile. It’s a fantastic side dish.
More delicious recipes to try:
Steamed Broccoli Rabe
This Steamed Broccoli Rabe It’s so incredibly tasty and so easy. This easy dish combines tender broccoli with garlic and spices for a delicious side dish.
ingredients
- 4 Tablespoon. Extra virgin olive oil
- 6 Tablespoon. Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes or to taste
- ¼ Cup water
- 2 Bunch of Broccoli Rabe
- ¾ tsp. sea-salt or to taste
Remarks
Variations on this recipe
- Set the spice level. If you like it spicy, then feel free to add more paprika flakes or some cayenne pepper. Or if you don’t like it spicy, omit these ingredients altogether.
- Add pine nuts. Adding these little nuts adds a deliciously smooth, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness. They harmonize very well with the slightly bitter taste of Broccoli Rabe.
- Add a little more acid. Some light acidity is delicious with these vegetables. Squirt in some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
- Add different vegetables. You can also make this recipe with green beans, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, or spinach.
How to store and reheat it
Store this steamed broccoli rabe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
nutrition
Calories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 11GProtein: 5GFat: fifteenGSaturated Fatty Acids: 2GPolyunsaturated fat: 2GMonounsaturated fatty acids: 11GSodium: 405mgPotassium: 317mgFiber: 4GSugar: 1GVitamin A: 3056ieVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 3mg