Broccoli with Browned Butter and Shallots is an easy peasy way to transform a bag of broccoli into a delicious side dish.
This recipe marries the best of both worlds – simplicity, and deliciousness – thanks to steam in the bag broccoli and browned butter sauce. In mere minutes, butter is transformed into a heavenly nutty version of itself. Then shallots and garlic are added for a quick sauté. A splash of lemon and fresh thyme provide the finishing touches for the sauce.
Once steamed broccoli is tossed with this sauce, voila, you have a side dish that’s special enough for a holiday and simple enough for an every day meal.
I started with a more involved recipe from the Vegetables Illustrated edition of the Cooks Illustrated cookbook. Their recipe involved cutting up a bunch of broccoli, pan browning and then adding water to steam it. While my steam in the bag option doesn’t have the browning advantage, the sauce still wins the day.
I also doubled the amount of butter and increased some of the seasonings. What can I say? I am a Wisconsin-born butter addict that loves flavor.
I also love recipes that fit our smaller Thanksgiving gatherings this year. News sources say people are planning to tackle the turkey, but cutting back on the number of sides. If that’s your plan, this recipe is a perfect option that’s simple but still special.
Broccoli with Brown Butter and Shallots
Tips & Disclaimers
If you’ve never made brown butter before, here’s a handy resource: How to make Browned Butter video.
Large Pieces in Your Bag? – Don’t worry! Cook the broccoli and then cut them into smaller pieces as you’re pouring them into your serving bowl.
Not Using Bagged Broccoli? – Totally cool! Just cut up and steam the broccoli, drain, and then toss with the browned butter sauce.
Color disclaimer – You might have noticed how bright green my broccoli appears. That’s because it’s not fully cooked. I intentionally did that to get a nicer photo. Hey, it’s really hard to make a dish of broccoli look appealing!
Be sure to fully cook your broccoli. Otherwise, the subtle flavor of the browned butter gets drowned out by the sharpness of the undercooked broccoli.
Love Broccoli?
If you want more ideas for this health-boosting veggie, check out these recipes, and others, using my search option.
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Broccoli with Browned Butter and Shallots
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter (4 oz.)
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1½ tsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp,. minced fresh thyme
- 2 12 oz. bags broccoli florets
Instructions
- Cut butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place in a light-colored skillet with a heavy bottom. Cook over medium heat, stirring milk solids as butter melts, sizzles, foams, turns light brown, and has a nutty aroma. Time varies but this should take approximately 2-5 minutes (see video link in my post for more details.)
- Turn off heat and add shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add lemon juice and thyme, stirring to combine.
- While butter is browning, microwave bags of broccoli, following directions on the bag. When broccoli is finished, pour into a bowl large enough to allow tossing and drizzle with butter sauce. Toss to combine and serve.
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