Ideas for giving steamed broccoli flavor?

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.
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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: 34,392 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: 2,254 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