Easy Broccoli Rice (2 Cooking Methods)
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If you are looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional white rice or want to squeeze more vegetables into your diet, this Broccoli Rice is exactly what you need! This recipe will show you 2 easy methods to cook homemade veggie rice in minutes using the whole broccoli – stalk included.
It goes well with anything that you typically enjoy classic rice with and can also be used in various dishes like salads, casseroles, and soups.
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Rice
- Nutritious. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, broccoli rice is an excellent choice for individuals seeking healthier, low-carb alternatives to traditional starches.
- It’s the perfect rice alternative. Broccoli has a neutral, slightly nutty flavor and when ground into rice-size pieces, it mimics the texture of classic rice. You can indulge without all the guilt!
- Simple and easy to make. Making your riced broccoli requires only 3 basic ingredients and some optional seasonings. Just chop, season, and cook- the process will take less than 10 minutes.
- Easy to customize. This recipe is the simplest way to enjoy broccoli rice. However, you can take it up a notch by incorporating more veggies, proteins, herbs, and spices into the mix.
- Freezer-friendly. You can make a big batch and store the rest in the freezer for months. Reheating portions when you need them is super easy too.
Ingredients
The full recipe and ingredients are in the recipe card below this post.
- Broccoli. You will need both the stalk and florets. A fresh head of broccoli has a vibrant green color with a firm and tightly packed florets. Fresh is best, but you can use frozen broccoli in a pinch. Take note, though, that the texture may not be the same. Cauliflower can be a great substitute for broccoli.
- Optional seasonings. You can use garlic powder and onion powder to flavor the rice.
Why Is My Broccoli Rice Mushy?
- Overcooking: One of the most common reasons for mushy broccoli rice is overcooking. Broccoli rice cooks relatively quickly; overcooking can produce a soft and mushy texture. Keep an eye on the cooking time and aim for a tender yet slightly crisp consistency.
- Over-processed broccoli. If the broccoli is processed into very fine pieces, it may break down more easily during cooking, resulting in a mushy texture.
- Too much moisture. Make sure to pat the riced pieces to remove excess liquid before cooking. The broccoli pieces will release water as it cooks, so if they are not dried prior, it can make the rice watery.
How To Make Broccoli Rice
- Prepare the broccoli. Trim away any tough or woody sections from the broccoli stalk. If the outer skin of the stalk is exceptionally firm, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove it. Proceed to chop both the remaining stalk and the broccoli florets into 1-inch pieces.
- Chop into rice-size pieces. There are 2 methods you can use: Using a Food Processor: Place the broccoli in a food processor and pulse until it’s reduced to tiny, rice-sized pieces. This process should yield approximately 2 cups of “riced” broccoli. Using a Knife: Use a chef’s knife to chop the florets into smaller, rice-sized pieces finely. You can’t really grate it like we would do in a cauliflower rice recipe.
Cook The Broccoli Rice
You can either sauté or steam to cook the rice.
- Sautéing Method. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add broccoli rice. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
- Steaming Method. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add about 1 inch of water. Place the broccoli rice in the skillet, cover it with a lid, and allow it to steam until it has softened, typically taking about 3 minutes. After steaming, season the broccoli rice with ingredients like garlic and onion powder, salt, black pepper, or soy sauce. Allow it to dry in open air and then fluff with a fork. Alternatively, you can use it immediately in any recipe for cauliflower or regular (cooked) rice.
Recommended Equipment
- Nonstick skillet or quality cast iron pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Airtight food containers
Tips
- If using a food processor, use a low setting and pulse in intervals. Stop processing when the broccoli pieces are roughly the same size as rice grains.
- Cutting the broccoli into 1-inch pieces before processing them ensures that they are more uniform.
- Season as needed! While some prefer their broccoli rice neutral tasting, adding seasonings goes a long way in making it more palatable.
- Please do not leave the broccoli rice unattended in the pan or pot because it cooks quickly.
Variations
- Use other seasonings. Aside from salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder, try experimenting with other herbs and spices like cumin, basil, turmeric, oregano, dill, thyme, or cayenne pepper to amp up the flavor!
- Make it cheesy. Adding grated parmesan cheese or feta crumbles to the mix will give the broccoli rice tons of savory goodness and gooey texture too!
- Add some citrus. A splash of fresh lemon juice over the cooked broccoli rice gives it a zesty flavor.
- Add proteins. Add some bacon bits or sausage slices for a fully loaded dish!
What To Serve With Broccoli Rice
- As a side dish. Serve it warm as a side dish alongside the main dish: we like grilled or roasted vegetables, grilled mushrooms, tofu, and roasted chickpeas.
- In a bowl. You can add them to rice bowls, burrito bowls, and your protein of choice.
- Salads and soups and can also be used as a base for casseroles.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. You can place uncooked and cooked broccoli rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. Place in airtight containers or freezer bags and press out excess air. Consume within 3 months for best results.
- To Reheat. Thaw broccoli rice in the refrigerator overnight and reheat the vegetable rice using a microwave, stovetop, or oven. You can add a splash of water or broth before reheating to restore some moisture if it has dried out.
More Easy Vegetable Side Dishes
Broccoli Rice: FAQs
Why are the pieces hard to chew?
They are undercooked. While broccoli rice cooks faster than traditional rice, you must ensure it is cooked thoroughly to soften its texture.
Uneven pieces. If the broccoli pieces are processed unevenly, some may cook faster than others, while the bigger chunks remain uncooked, resulting in uneven texture.
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Broccoli Rice
If you are looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional rice or just want to squeeze more vegetables into your diet, this Broccoli Rice is exactly what you need! This recipe will show you 2 easy methods on how to cook homemade veggie rice in minutes using the whole broccoli – stalk included.
Ingredients
For Broccoli Rice
- 1 head broccoli, about 8 ounce
- salt & black pepper to taste
- water
Optional Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli. Trim away any tough or woody sections from the broccoli stalk. If the outer skin of the stalk is exceptionally firm, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove it. Proceed to chop both the remaining stalk and the florets into 1-inch pieces.
- Chop into rice-size pieces. There are 2 methods you can use:
- Using a Food Processor. Place the broccoli in a food processor and pulse until it's reduced to tiny, rice-sized pieces. This process should yield approximately 2 cups of "riced" broccoli.
- Using a Knife. Use a chef's knife to finely chop the florets into smaller, rice-sized pieces.
- Cook The Broccoli Rice. You can either sauté or steam to cook the rice.
- Sautéing Method. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, and then add broccoli rice. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
- Steaming Method. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add about 1 inch of water. Place the broccoli rice in the skillet, cover it with a lid, and allow it to steam until the broccoli has softened, which typically takes about 3 minutes. After steaming, season the broccoli rice to your preference, using ingredients like garlic and onion powder, salt, black pepper, or even soy sauce. Alternatively, you can use it right away in any recipe that calls for cauliflower or regular (cooked) rice.
Notes
- To Store. You can place uncooked and cooked broccoli rice and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. Place in airtight containers or freezer bags and press out excess air. Consume within 3 months for best results.
- To Reheat. Thaw broccoli rice in the refrigerator overnight and reheat the vegetable rice using a microwave, stovetop, or oven. If the rice has dried out, add a splash of water or broth before reheating to restore some moisture.
