Sesame Broccoli

Need a new broccoli side dish you can quickly make for dinner? I've got you covered with this Asian Sesame Broccoli cooked with soy sauce, sesame seeds, garlic, and a touch of red pepper! This veggie dish pairs up really nicely with some Asian-style chicken, beef, or tofu or can even be snacked on by itself.

A few weeks ago, I shared this Sesame Soy Edamame and we have been on a sesame oil/soy sauce train ever since. It's a flavorful way to make a delicious Asian side dish with just about any veggie. It's also amazing in main dishes like this Sesame Chicken and Sesame Shrimp. 

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The earthiness of the sesame oil and the saltiness of the soy sauce really works well together when paired with minced garlic and grated ginger.

If you are anything like me and love all things spicy, you should also add a few dashes of red pepper flakes for good measure! This sesame and soy combination also works great with Pan Fried Broccoli, Sesame Green Beans, and Sesame Sugar Snap Peas.

Ingredients and Swaps

To make this dish at home yourself, here is the list of ingredients you will need:

• Broccoli florets: Cut the broccoli into smaller florets. This will help them cook evenly. Another option is to buy pre-chopped broccoli florets. Just cut any larger florets in half so they are mostly the same size. You can also swap in cauliflower/ 
• Low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos): Soy sauce gives this dish its salty, umami flavor. It’s critical to really build that Asian flavor. If you choose not to use soy sauce, swap in kosher salt to taste.
• Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds another element of flavor, bringing some nuttiness to the flavor and making it more unique. Toasted sesame oil has the best nutty flavr.
• Garlic and ginger: Everything tastes better with garlic and ginger, especially when it comes to Asian flavors. They are essential. If you don’t have fresh, you could swap in powdered garlic and/or ginger but they won't pack the same punch.
• Red pepper flakes (optional): If you love things spicy, don’t skip the red pepper flakes. Sriracha or sambal olek would also work.
• Sesame seeds: These add crunch and nuttiness to the dish. If you are looking to save calories, you could leave these off.

Please note: To get all of the measurements for the ingredients and the full set of instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

What To Serve With Sesame Broccoli

When it comes to serving this Asian broccoli dish, I personally think it goes great with almost any Asian-inspired meal. However, it can also work alongside any simply flavored protein. I normally serve it with some Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken or Honey Garlic Shrimp (or even a combo of both) and a side of plain white rice.

You can also serve it with these Asian Rice Bowls, Hoisin Salmon, or Asian Turkey Burgers.

Want to keep this whole meal vegetarian? Serve Asian Broccoli alongside some Chili Glazed Tofu With Sugar Snap Peas!

If I'm trying to keep my meal low carb, I'll make a nice helping of Healthy Mongolian Beef to serve with the Sesame Broccoli. It's fantastic—enjoy!

Recipe Tips And Ideas For Sesame Broccoli

Follow these tips to ensure the dish is perfect every time.

• Cook it stovetop: If you don't want to use your oven, you can always cook this dish in a skillet on the stove. It might not get roasted, but it will still taste delicious! Make sure to let the edges caramelize and brown.
• Not a big fan of spicy? You can always leave out the red crushed peppers from the recipe.
• Add more veggies: Try mixing things up and make some fun veggie combinations. Sometimes, I'll throw some carrots or mushrooms in with the broccoli- normally whatever I have in the fridge will work. If you do, don't forget to double the recipe to make sure there is enough marinade and sauce for all the veggies.
• Add vinegar: Add another layer of flavor with a splash or rice vinegar or lemon juice.
• Make it sweet: If you like a sweetness, add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or hot honey right before serving.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

You can, but I have to warn you—the texture won't be the same.

Since we are roasting the broccoli florets in the oven, they get this crispiness to them that's really only achievable with fresh broccoli. If you use frozen broccoli, it might turn soggy and you won't be able to achieve that crunch that makes this dish really great.

Do I have to use soy sauce?

If you have an allergy to soy or just really don't like soy sauce, you can always switch over to coconut aminos. It still kind of has the same flavor of soy sauce but with an added sweetness to it from the coconut.

If you have a gluten allergy, I recommend swapping out the soy sauce to Tamari sauce as a gluten-free option. Tamari sauce is made from fermented soybeans but without the wheat. It usually has a darker color and it's not as salty.

Of course, you can also use the coconut aminos substitute mentioned above if you are looking for another gluten-free option!

Does this recipe work with other vegetables?

Yes, 100%! I decided to use broccoli for this specific recipe but you can always swap it out for:

• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Asparagus
• Green beans
• Snap peas
• Snow peas