We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Ideas for giving steamed broccoli flavor?

lauraesh0384
lauraesh0384 Posts: 463 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I do enjoy steamed broccoli, but I don't eat it enough because I can't seem to find good ways to give it flavor. I love spicy foods and I am a big fan of the sriracha hot chili sauce but I also like to keep my sodium in check. 240mg for a tablespoon just seems like too much. I also can't do butter on broccoli anymore. I ate it so much when I did low carb that I just can't anymore. Currently the only time I eat broccoli is raw and dipped in a ranch veggie dip.
«134

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    I like vinegar, that's the only way I eat broccoli.
  • Marilyn0924
    Marilyn0924 Posts: 797 Member
    Microplane some parmesan over top :)
  • weehah
    weehah Posts: 81 Member
    Lemon! I also love to toss mine in olive oil, salt, and lemon before sauteeing or roasting. So, so good.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I like to cook broccoli and cauliflower together, in broth (I use powdered for this/no salt).

    Break it into bite-sized pieces, add enough water with bullion to cover. Add a squirt of fresh lemon, some cayenne pepper and cook until al dente. I do add salt and regular pepper to it, too.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    I like salt and butter on mine.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    my mom steams broccoli with pickling spices. its amazzzinnggg.
  • imamyurdumb
    imamyurdumb Posts: 17 Member
    Can I just say, try baking broccoli. A little sea salt and olive oil, It gets crispy and tender. So amazing, like a treat! I can't say what temp and how long but try 400 for 10+ minutes until browned slightly. Amazing. Works well with asparagus and green beans too!
  • babycatchfire
    babycatchfire Posts: 156 Member
    I like to top it off with some salsa verde and trader joes dragon sauce. I will honestly eat a whole bowl.
  • MamaFunky
    MamaFunky Posts: 735 Member
    edited April 2016
    I love my hot sauces too, but when I am trying to reduce sodium I like to use fresh jalapenos. I will steam them with my vegetables or grill them too. I also like to add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper. That's a good way to add the heat without the extra sodium.
  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    I have never tried this but how about nutritional yeast? It's delicious on plenty of other things!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    You don't need a tablespoon of hot sauce on a serving of broccoli. Probably not even 1/4 TEASPOON which would be less than 20mg of sodium. (1/12 of a tablespoon)
  • sweetdianachka
    sweetdianachka Posts: 318 Member
    Personally I like it roasted better than steamed. A little bit of oil and garlic. mmmm
  • GreenBananaAlmond
    GreenBananaAlmond Posts: 7 Member
    Try slicing it up and sautéing it with a tiny tiny bit of olive oil or vegetable broth and then squeezing Meyer lemon on it. Season with salt & pepper.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,255 Member
    I love sprinkling some Parmesan over it
  • jenmovies
    jenmovies Posts: 346 Member
    Cayenne pepper on all the things!
  • kiittenforever
    kiittenforever Posts: 478 Member
    Reduced sodium soy sauce.. delicious
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, a little spaghetti sauce, salad dressing.
  • another_chelle
    another_chelle Posts: 42 Member
    I second or third the roasting/baking of broccoli with olive oil, garlic and salt. Delicious!!
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    whmscll wrote: »
    I love sprinkling some Parmesan over it

    me too.
  • Mentali
    Mentali Posts: 352 Member
    A tablespoon of sriracha is soooo much. You could probably season like a pound of broccoli with that much sriracha and still think it was a bit too hot.
  • schibsted750
    schibsted750 Posts: 355 Member
    edited April 2016
    I melt 2 tbsp of butter, mix in 1/4 tsp turmeric and 1/2 tsp onion powder, and then pour that sauce over the broccoli. Salt to taste.
  • catmoore64
    catmoore64 Posts: 5 Member
    I normally eat broccoli as a soup. Once boiled, drain off all but enough water to barely cover the broccoli, then add 1=2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, salt and pepper to taste and garlic or onion powder if desired, and puree with an immersion blender (or in a regular one). I put this in a mug and have it for lunch, snacks or even before my dinner meal. VERY low calories.
  • catmoore64
    catmoore64 Posts: 5 Member
    fishshark wrote: »
    my mom steams broccoli with pickling spices. its amazzzinnggg.

    Never heard of this, but sounds interesting! Will try it. Thanks for posting!
  • kendi0
    kendi0 Posts: 17 Member
    edited April 2016
    I hate broccoli, but here in Italy people eat them with olive oil, chili and garlic. Heat the pan with olive oil over medium-high heat, then add chopped chili peppers and chopped garlic cloves at will, souteing on a lower temperature (below the smoke point) for around 5 minutes until they start to brown. Then serve it over the steamed broccoli (leaving or removing the chopped chili and garlic from oil, at will).
  • green_owl
    green_owl Posts: 62 Member
    With garlic, fresh mint and extra virgin olive oil
  • Ws2016
    Ws2016 Posts: 432 Member
    Here's a good mix, you'll have to do the
    Math for a smaller batch, this is for 2 lbs of broccoli.

    Cut up the broccoli and mix it in a bowl with: 1 T olive oil, 1/2 t ground coriander seeds, 1/2 cumin, 1 t salt, 1/2 t pepper, 1/8 t chili powder.

    Put the broccoli on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 min in a 425 oven, it will brown a bit around the edges. Turn it once. Then sprinkle with lemon juice and serve.

    This is the broccoli half of a roasted broccoli with shrimp recipe. The shrimp half goes like this: combine 1 lb shrimp with 1 T oil, 1 t lemon zest, 1/2 t salt, 1/2 t pepper.

    If you're doing the full recipe, roast the broccoli for 10 mins then add the shrimp for another 10 mins..
  • MinmoInk
    MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
    Sprinkle some ranch seasoning mix in :)
  • FunkyTobias
    FunkyTobias Posts: 1,776 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    You don't need a tablespoon of hot sauce on a serving of broccoli.)
    Wimp ;)
  • courtney_love2001
    courtney_love2001 Posts: 1,468 Member
    lemon pepper!
  • lousoulbody
    lousoulbody Posts: 663 Member
    Steamed broccoli with drizzled lemon juice and celery salt, yum
This discussion has been closed.