Steamed Broccoli with Lemon & Curry Mayo

Steamed Broccoli with Lemon and Curry Mayo is a great recipe for busy cooks who want a delicious side dish in just minutes. In fact, it’s so easy to make that I often turned to it while camping in our Airstream. Make sure to try this recipe out soon; it’s going to quickly become a favorite among your friends and family.

this Recipe

Table of Contents

1. Steamed Broccoli Made Easy
2. What You’ll Need
3. Swaps and Substitutions
4. Tips on How to Steam Broccoli Perfectly Every Time
5. How to make Curry Mayo at Home
6. Steamed Broccoli with Lemon & Curry Mayo Serving Suggestions
7. Steamed Broccoli FAQs
8. Steamed Broccoli with Lemon & Curry Mayo

Steamed Broccoli Made Easy

Broccoli was one of my mom’s favorite vegetables. Why? Well, it’s readily available at the grocery store, quick and easy to prepare, good for you and full of both fresh flavor and vibrant color. She often would just steam or roast it, but occasionally she wanted to jazz it up a bit – so she created this 3 ingredient sauce of mayonnaise, sour cream and curry powder. I’ve modified it a bit, switching out the sour cream for nonfat Greek yogurt. This Indian-inspired sauce adds a bit of tang and earthy spice to the sweet, flavorful steamed broccoli – a perfect pairing!

What You’ll Need

Here’s all you’ll need to make this quick and easy broccoli recipe:

• Fresh broccoli
• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt or sour cream
• Curry powder
• Lemon
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

In terms of equipment, you’ll need a steamer basket that fits inside a large saucepan or Instant Pot cooker.

Swaps and Substitutions

• If you can’t find good quality fresh broccoli, substitute frozen.
• In place of water, steam the broccoli with chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor.
• To make this recipe your own, add toasted sesame seeds, chopped walnuts or pecans just before serving.
• A sprinkle of chopped cooked bacon would be delicious.
• Lastly, you could omit the curry sauce and add some grated Parmesan cheese instead!

Tips on How to Steam Broccoli Perfectly Every Time

Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable that contains lots of vitamins and minerals. And, when steamed properly, it becomes tender and delicious. Here are some tips for cooking broccoli perfectly every time, either in a steamer basket or in an Instant Pot (see detailed instructions by cooking method in the recipe card below).

1. Buy Fresh Broccoli

Fresh broccoli is best, but frozen broccoli also works well. To ensure freshness, stalks should be firm and straight, with no sign of wilting or yellowing. Stalks and leaves should be bright green in color, florets tight and dark green.

2. Cut into Broccoli Florets

Starting with a fresh head of broccoli, cut the broccoli florets off from the stalk, leaving some of the stem. Then slice the larger florets in half or quarters. Cutting the broccoli into  pieces helps it cook faster and more evenly. You can peel and slice the stalks into 1/2-inch pieces and steam them, too – or save them for another use (like Healthy Broccoli Soup).

3. Steam Broccoli Properly – Don’t Overcook

Place in steamer basket (over boiling water in a covered saucepan or in an Instant Pot) and steam broccoli until it turns bright green and just starts to soften. Don’t overcook it; broccoli should be crisp tender (I provide recommended times in the recipe card).

4. Season With Lemon Juice

Lemon juice gives broccoli a bright citrusy flavor. Sprinkle a squeeze of lemon juice over cooked broccoli right after removing it from the heat.

How to make Curry Mayo at Home

Curry Mayo is a popular condiment used in Indian cuisine. It is made by combining yogurt with a variey of spices. My mom came up with her own easier version of this savory sauce that you can easily make at home. And, it only has 3 ingredients! Simply stir together Greek yogurt (or sour cream, that’s what mom used), mayonnaise and curry powder. How easy is that? (Specifics provided in the recipe card below).

Steamed Broccoli with Lemon & Curry Mayo Serving Suggestions

This versatile side dish goes with almost any grilled, roasted or sautéed main dish. Here are a few recommendations to try:

• Roasted Salmon Steaks
• Grilled Tuna Steak
• Grilled Chicken with Rosemary Dijon Marinade
• Grilled Chicken with Caramelized Red Onions
• Grilled Ribeye Steak
• Spicy Short Ribs
• Oven Roast Beef Tenderloin
• Dry Rubbed Spiced Pork Tenderloin

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