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! This veggie dish pairs up really nicely with some Asian-style chicken, beef, or tofu, or even just 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 such a flavorful way to make a delicious Asian side dish with just about any veggie.

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

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

Ingredients For Sesame Broccoli Recipe

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

• Broccoli florets: Make sure to cut the broccoli down into smaller florets. This will help them cook evenly. Another option is buying grabbing pre-chopped broccoli florets. Just make sure to cut any larger florets in half so they are mostly the same size.
• Low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos): Soy sauce is what gives this dish its salty, umami flavor. It’s critical to really build that Asian flavor.
• Sesame oil: To add another element of flavor, sesame oil brings some nuttiness to the flavor and makes it more unique.
• 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 some lovely crunch and nuttiness to the fish. If you are looking to save calories, you could leave these off.

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

What To Serve With 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 a serving of Grilled Salmon with Honey and Lime.

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 make sure that the dish comes out perfect every time.

• If you don't want to use your oven, you can always cook this dish in a saute pan on the stove. It might not get roasted but it will still taste delicious!
• Not a big fan of spicy? You can always leave out the red crushed peppers from the recipe.
• Trying 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.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

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!

Do I have to use fresh garlic?

No, you don't. You can easily swap it out with garlic powder if needed. But, I personally love to add fresh garlic when I can. It adds a nice bite to the broccoli.

Do I have to cook this recipe in the oven?

No, you don't- but I highly recommend it. By roasting the broccoli in the oven, it gets this crunchy texture and it really elevates the flavor of the whole dish. If you don't have access to an oven, you can also cook the broccoli on the stovetop. You might end up with a more saucier recipe which is just as delicious!

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

More Asian Inspired Recipes

• Stir-Fried Bok Choy
• Chicken And Cabbage Stir Fry
• Sesame Green Beans
• Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
• Simple Asian Stir-Fried Veggies