Delicious Asian Broccoli Recipe: Quick, Savory & Crisp (Print Version)

Delicious Asian Broccoli Recipe for a quick weeknight side! Learn my secret for crisp-tender florets and a savory sauce, with real kitchen stories.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Asian
Dietary: Vegetarian, Vegan (if using tamari)

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Broccoli & Base

01 - Broccoli Florets (1 large head, about 4 cups)
02 - Toasted Sesame Oil (1 tbsp)

→ Savory Sauce Essentials

03 - Low Sodium Soy Sauce (3 tbsp)
04 - Rice Vinegar (1 tbsp)
05 - Brown Sugar (1 tbsp)
06 - Fresh Garlic (3-4 cloves, minced)
07 - Fresh Ginger (1 tbsp, grated)
08 - Cornstarch (1 tsp)

→ Aromatics & Finishing Touches

09 - Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 tsp, optional)
10 - Toasted Sesame Seeds (1 tsp, for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that broccoli ready! I chop my large head into bite-sized florets, trying to keep them somewhat uniform so they cook evenly. Then, I steam them for about 4-5 minutes until they’re bright green and crisp-tender. This is where I always remind myself not to overcook them; a little crunch is key for this Delicious Asian Broccoli Recipe. You want them tender enough to eat easily but still with some bite. You can also blanch them quickly in boiling water, but steaming feels a bit gentler to me.
02 - While the broccoli is steaming, let’s get our sauce going. In a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar until the sugar completely dissolves. In a separate tiny bowl, combine the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. This step is super important for avoiding lumps in your sauce – I learned that the hard way, oops! This mixture is what's going to give our Delicious Asian Broccoli Recipe its lovely, glossy coating.
03 - Now for the magic smells! Heat the toasted sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your minced garlic and grated fresh ginger. Sauté them for about 30-60 seconds, just until they’re fragrant. Honestly, this is one of my favorite parts; the aroma instantly makes my kitchen smell incredible. Be careful not to burn the garlic, though, because that can turn bitter fast!
04 - Once your aromatics are wonderfully fragrant, add the steamed broccoli florets to the skillet. Toss them gently with the garlic and ginger for about 1-2 minutes, letting them soak up all those amazing flavors. This step isn't just about mixing; it’s about infusing that fresh broccoli with the deep, savory notes we're building. I love seeing the broccoli get a slightly glossy sheen as it warms up in the pan.
05 - Give your cornstarch slurry a quick re-whisk, then pour the entire sauce mixture into the skillet with the broccoli. Stir continuously for another 1-2 minutes. You'll see the sauce start to thicken and beautifully coat each floret – it's so satisfying! If you want a little heat, this is when I toss in the red pepper flakes. Don’t walk away from the pan during this step, because that sauce thickens pretty quickly, and we don't want it to get too gloopy.
06 - Once the sauce has thickened to your liking and evenly coated the broccoli, remove the skillet from the heat. Transfer your Delicious Asian Broccoli Recipe to a serving dish and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds. The sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and a lovely visual appeal. Serve it immediately as a side dish, or even as a light main with some rice. The broccoli should be perfectly crisp-tender, and the sauce should be savory with a hint of sweetness and tang. So good!

# Notes:

01 - Always steam your broccoli to crisp-tender perfection, don't overcook it!
02 - Leftovers store well for 3-4 days in an airtight container; reheat gently in a skillet.
03 - If you're out of rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar works okay, just use a little less.
04 - Serve with jasmine rice and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an extra special touch.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or wok
02 - small mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - steamer basket

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 120 kcal
Total Fat: 5g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 5g

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