How to cook broccoli
Skill level
Easy
Equipment you will need for this technique
Medium-sized, lidded saucepan
Kitchen knife
Chopping board
Colander
Serving bowl or plate
Learn how to cook perfect broccoli every time with this quick video. Our easy guide shows you how to boil broccoli in minutes.
Fill a saucepan halfway with water and add a pinch of salt, this helps to soften the broccoli and keep the bright green colour. Bring to the boil over a medium heat.
Meanwhile, prepare the broccoli. Cut one broccoli head into medium sized florets. A floret should look like a tiny tree. Trim each of the floret stems to make them shorter and more even and slice any large ones in half to make them more equal. This will mean they cook at the same rate. Save the stalk of the broccoli, it's great for stir-fries.
Put the florets into a colander and rinse under a cold, running tap to remove any dirt. Then, gently tip into the pan of boiling water. Turn the heat down to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid and cook for 3–5 minutes.
Test after 3 minutes by inserting a knife into a couple of the florets – you want it to be tender so the knife goes into the broccoli easily, but not soft or mushy. Once tender, carefully pour the florets back into the cleaned colander over the sink to drain.
Leave the broccoli in the colander to steam for another minute before serving; this helps stop the broccoli going soggy.
