Broccoli Stir Fry

Step by StepJump to Recipe

This classic Chinese-inspired broccoli stir fry recipe is great to prepare as part of a satisfying meal in under 30 minutes. Flavorful and nutritious broccoli is perfect to stir fry for a quick, delicious, and healthy side dish. Here you’ll find step-by-step photos and instructions to make savory vegetarian and vegan stir-fried broccoli for dinner tonight!

broccoli stir fry in a white oval plate with wooden chopsticks by the side

About This Broccoli Stir Fry

Broccoli stir fry is a Chinese inspired dish that I like to make often as a healthy and tasty side. Fresh broccoli is quickly cooked with vibrant aromatics – like onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and pepper – so the florets are perfectly cooked while still keeping a nice bit of crunch.

Stir frying the broccoli not only helps keep the florets firm and not mushy, it also helps to sear in those delicious flavors. Each bite is bursting with umami without being too overpowering. So it’s great to serve as a side dish with your favorite mains, or simply pair with rice or noodles for a light yet satisfying meal.

And start to finish you need less than an hour to prep and make this easy recipe. Give this stir fried broccoli a try for a relaxing and nearly effortless dinner any night of the week!

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make Broccoli Stir Fry

Prepare the Broccoli and Sauce

1. First, prepare the fresh broccoli. Cut the florets from 1 medium broccoli head (415 grams) and rinse them well in water. Set aside.

If you want you can even blanch the broccoli florets in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes. This makes stir frying time shorter and helps keep that vibrant green color.

Finely chop 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves, 1 inch ginger, 1 green chili, 1 small celery stick and slice thinly 1 medium onion. You will be needing:

  • ⅓ cup sliced onions
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
  • ½ teaspoon finely chopped green chillies or serrano pepper
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped celery
chopped broccoli florets on wooden board

2. In a small bowl, add the sugar and spices:

  • 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or raw sugar
  • ½ teaspoon edible rock salt or ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, add as per taste 
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper or add as required 
seasonings in a bowl

3. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Braggs liquid aminos.

seasonings with soy sauce in a small bowl

4. Mix very well and set aside.

blended soy sauce and seasonings

Cook the Aromatics

5. Next, heat oil in a heavy wok or deep pan. Turn the heat to medium-low or medium. Add the sliced onions and finely chopped garlic, ginger, celery, green chillies. 

chopped onions and garlic in a wok

6. Stir and mix well. 

stir frying aromatics

7. Next, add the chopped broccoli to the pan.

adding broccoli florets to the pan

8. Mix very well.

broccoli florets

Stir Fry the Broccoli

9. Now it’s time to stir fry the broccoli: Increase the heat to medium-high or high, and cook the broccoli for 3 to 4 minutes in the scalding hot pan.

stir-frying broccoli in wok

10. Continue to toss and stir the ingredients so that they cook evenly without getting burnt.

broccoli stir fry in a wok

11. After stir-frying for 3 to 4 minutes (the broccoli should still be firm) lower the heat and add the prepared sauce mixture.

adding soy sauce and seasonings to the broccoli

12. Stir to combine and mix evenly. 

stir fried broccoli in a wok

13. Increase the heat to medium-low or medium. Continue to stir fry the broccoli until the liquid has evaporated and the broccoli is slightly soft.

However, be careful to not overcook the veggies so that they become soft and mushy – there should be a good bit of bite still in your broccoli.

broccoli stir fry with onions

14. Now turn off the heat, and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro or parsley if you like. Mix very well. 

adding fresh herbs to broccoli stir fry

15. Sprinkle some white sesame seeds (raw or toasted) while serving. You can also drizzle some lemon juice for an added tang while serving.

overhead shot of broccoli stir fry in a white oval plate with wooden chopsticks by the side

FAQs

How can I make this recipe spicy?

Feel free to increase the ginger, garlic, black pepper and/or green chilli to make this dish as spicy as you like.

What should I serve with this dish?

Enjoy with fluffy rice or Chinese noodle dishes, or as a side with any of your favorite Indochinese mains like Fried Rice or Veg Noodles or Hakka Noodles. You can also serve with simple roll or flatbread for a light lunch or healthy snack.

How long does stir fried broccoli last?

This dish is certainly best when enjoyed freshly made. However, you can store leftovers in a sealed container and keep them in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop, but be careful to not overcook and turn the broccoli mushy.

More Broccoli Recipes To Try!

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

broccoli stir fry in a white oval plate with wooden chopsticks by the side

Broccoli Stir Fry

Flavorful and nutritious this Chinese-inspired broccoli stir fry is perfect for a delicious, and healthy side dish. The recipe comes together in 20 minutes making for a quick savory vegan and vegetarian stir fried broccoli for dinner.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine Chinese, World
Course Main Course
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 2
Units

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil or any neutral oil
  • cup sliced onions
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped celery
  • ½ teaspoon finely chopped green chillies or serrano pepper
  • 415 grams broccoli
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (coriander leaves) or parsley

For the Sauce

  • 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or raw sugar or palm sugar
  • ½ teaspoon edible rock salt or or ¼ to ½ teaspoon regular salt, add as per taste
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper or add as required
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce Braggs liquid aminos

Instructions
 

Make the Sauce

  • In a small mixing bowl take the coconut sugar, salt, black pepper and soy sauce.
  • Mix well and set aside.

Make Broccoli Stir Fry

  • Heat toasted sesame oil in a heavy wok or pan.
  • Keep heat to medium-low or medium.
  • Add sliced onions, garlic, ginger, celery and green chillies. Mix well.
  • Add broccoli and mix again very well.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high or high and stir fry broccoli for 3 to 4 minutes. Toss and stir often while stir-frying.
  • Towards the end of 3 to 4 minutes, stir often, so that the onions or garlic or ginger do not get burnt.
  • Lower the heat and add the prepared sauce mixture. Stir to combine and mix.
  • Increase the heat to medium-low or medium.
  • Stir fry till all the liquids have evaporated and the broccoli is tender. Do note that the florets will shrink and leave their juices. The end result should be dry with no water or liquids. .
  • The broccoli should be tender but have a slight bite.
  • Switch off the heat and add cilantro or parsley. Mix again very well.
  • Sprinkle some sesame seeds while serving.
  • Serve broccoli stir fry with rice, noodle or even with a bread roll or flatbread.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Broccoli Stir Fry
Amount Per Serving
Calories 222 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Sodium 1170mg51%
Potassium 741mg21%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 1330IU27%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 2mg10%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 188mg228%
Vitamin E 2mg13%
Vitamin K 215µg205%
Calcium 112mg11%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 140µg35%
Iron 2mg11%
Magnesium 52mg13%
Phosphorus 161mg16%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Like what you see?

Stay up to date with new recipes and ideas.

This broccoli stir fry post from the archives (June 2011) has been republished and updated on 22 September 2021.

Share This Recipe:

PinWhatsAppPrintShares52

Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

Get My Secrets to Great Indian Food
Sign up for my FREE Beginners Guide to Delicious Indian Cooking

Comments are closed.

12 Comments

      1. Thanks Dassana..Tried the recipe using dry basil leaves…This was my first try with brocolli..had an Italian taste and was yummy 🙂5 stars

  1. Enjoyed your Punjabi karela sabzi. Thanks a lot for sharing!
    Do you have green bean recipe, say with tomato, garlic etc that goes with rice or roti?

    1. thats good… yes i do know green beans recipe with tomato garlic etc. will try to make one and update it on the website.

  2. Hi,

    Thanks for the healthy recipe. Will try for sure. I started following the blog recently. Nice work