24 Broccoli Side Dishes in 20 Minutes

Make a healthy and delicious broccoli side dish with these easy recipes. These sides take just 20 minutes of active cooking time, so you can focus on preparing your main dish. Whether you keep it raw and crunchy or decide to cook it, broccoli is a great source of vitamins C and K. Recipes like Quick Broccoli Slaw and Honey-Chipotle Roasted Broccoli are flavorful, nutritious and a great addition to any meal.

01 of 24

Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

6628028.jpg

This healthy side dish recipe couldn't be simpler--or more delicious. Broccoli is roasted until brown and crispy, then topped with Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar for a savory and sweet flavor combination that can't be beaten. Try this quick vegetable dish along with chicken, fish or really any main course. It's also great in salads or warm grain bowls. Tip: Preheating the pan helps the broccoli to brown and develop nutty flavors. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2019

02 of 24

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Cream of Broccoli Soup

This simple and healthy cream of broccoli soup recipe gets its flavor from a mixture of aromatic vegetables, including leeks and celery. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender) gives it a smooth, creamy texture. Enjoy this easy homemade cream of broccoli soup as a comforting appetizer or pair it with a sandwich or salad for lunch or dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2019

03 of 24

Sautéed Broccoli with Peanut Sauce

6343076.jpg

Peanut butter, balanced with a little soy sauce and vinegar, makes a delicious and kid-friendly sauce for broccoli and other vegetables. Giving the broccoli a head start by steaming it before sautéing it with the other vegetables ensures that all the vegetables are nicely cooked at the same time. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2019

04 of 24

Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad

7331533.jpg

This festive holiday salad recipe features plenty of oven-roasted broccoli and cauliflower combined with massaged kale. Why massage the kale? It helps tenderize the leaves and infuses the sweet-tangy flavor of the dressing directly into the heart of this healthy winter salad. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2019

05 of 24

Charred Broccoli with Almonds & Cherries

With many layers of texture and flavor, this creamy broccoli salad recipe is a delicious vegetable side that pairs with almost anything. If you can't find dried cherries, try cranberries or currants. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2017

06 of 24

Quick Broccoli Slaw

Use up unused broccoli stems by making your own broccoli slaw instead of using the bagged slaw in this easy potluck favorite. Trim and peel the stalks with a vegetable peeler, then cut 3 cups of matchsticks with the julienne blade on a mandoline or by hand. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

07 of 24

Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Veggies

a recipe photo of the Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Veggies on a cooking sheet
Sonia Bozzo

These easy roasted vegetables will give your plate a pop of color. Give the cubes of butternut squash a head start for 10 minutes to soften in the oven before adding in the other veggies. The broccoli, peppers and onion are naturally more tender than the butternut squash and cook more quickly. That way everything ends up finishing at the same time. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2017

08 of 24

Honey-Chipotle Roasted Broccoli

8291371.jpg

Honey and chipotle peppers coat roasted broccoli in this sweet and smoky side dish. Serve alongside grilled pork, roasted chicken or with any main dish that could use some kick. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2020

09 of 24

Grilled Broccoli Wedges with Herb Vinaigrette

7947198.jpg

Lightly charring the broccoli then finishing over indirect heat allows the stems to get tender without becoming too burnt. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2020

10 of 24

Broccoli-Cauliflower Soup

7459541.jpg

In this healthy broccoli-cauliflower soup recipe, broccoli, cauliflower and baby spinach get blended into a smooth puree which gives the soup body and a bright green color. Cheddar cheese melted on top adds a creamy finish to this quick appetizer soup recipe. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2019

11 of 24

Air-Fryer Broccoli & Cheese Baked Potatoes

6318334.jpg

This side dish gives you the best of two potato favorites. Tender baked potato halves are topped with a creamy Cheddar cheese and broccoli filling, then they're air-fried to create crispy skins. Air fryers require a lot less oil than deep fryers, which leaves room for an extra sprinkle of cheese. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

12 of 24

Broccoli & Grape Salad

7575316.jpg

An unlikely pairing of grapes and broccoli creates an out-of-the-ordinary quick side dish. The sweet snappy bite of the grapes complements the crispy raw broccoli and onion, while the creamy dressing and toasted almonds pull it all together. Enjoy it for lunch or double the recipe for an easy potluck recipe everyone will love. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

13 of 24

Broccoli Rabe with Orange & Sesame

You can go without using oil if you are cooking broccoli rabe in the dry heat of a skillet. It adds a nice sear to the oranges as well. Seasoned with toasty sesame, this healthy vegetable side dish is an easy flavor upgrade. Source: EatingWell Magazine, December 2019

14 of 24

Lemon-Roasted Mixed Vegetables

7409608.jpg

Tossing these roasted vegetables with lemon zest gives them a bright, fresh flavor. Serve them along with roasted chicken or add them to sandwiches and grain bowls for an easy, healthy dinner or lunch. Source: What to Eat with Diabetes 2019

15 of 24

Broccoli Rabe with Cannellini Beans

Broccoli rabe can be a bitter bomb. Some people love it, while others… not so much. In this easy recipe, we cook the broccoli rabe for a few minutes in boiling water to tame its bitter bite. Serve with roasted chicken and potatoes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2016

16 of 24

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

5143673.jpg

Classic broccoli salad, the perfect dish for a potluck, is updated with cauliflower, bacon and a sprinkle of crunchy sunflower seeds in this so-easy recipe that's sure to be a new picnic favorite. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

17 of 24

Broccoli Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette

6343011.jpg

Parmesan, red onions and pecans contribute flavor and texture to this quick and easy broccoli salad that makes a great easy side dish for almost any protein. If you have leftovers, toss them with pasta for lunch the following day. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2019

18 of 24

Roasted Broccoli with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

7881931.jpg

Resist the temptation to turn the broccoli over while it roasts in this easy recipe. Leaving it cut-side down means you'll get deliciously caramelized results. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2017

19 of 24

Broccoli with Black Bean-Garlic Sauce

3755528.jpg

The bold taste of black bean-garlic sauce mellows into a rich and warming glaze in this fast Asian-style dish. Source: EatingWell Magazine, Winter 2004

20 of 24

Amish Broccoli Salad

5522119.jpg

This creamy broccoli and cauliflower salad has a fabulous crunch. The salad holds well and is perfect for potlucks and picnics. Our version has considerably less sugar than most Amish salad recipes and is lighter because we use a mixture of low-fat Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for the dressing. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2018

21 of 24

Balsamic & Parmesan Broccoli

4293507.jpg

Cooking this quick broccoli side dish recipe in a wok gives you a larger surface area, so you get lots of nice crispy bits. Serve with oven-roasted herb chicken or fish, or as a tasty topping to your grain bowl. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2017

22 of 24

Parmesan Broccoli Bites

7881932.jpg

Almond flour (aka almond meal) makes the coating on these broccoli fries extra-crunchy and flavorful. Find it in the gluten-free section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2017

23 of 24

Tangy Broccoli with Almonds

5359583.jpg

This easy 15-minute broccoli side dish means you have no excuse not to eat your veggies. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

24 of 24

Broccoli-Barley Pilaf

Robust, chewy barley teams up with crisp broccoli, creamy avocado and tangy feta cheese in this flavorful side dish. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles