Artificial Food Coloring Free Lemon & Olive Oil Broccoli Mash
Bright, garlicky, and finished with a hit of lemon, this broccoli mash is the kind of side dish that makes people ask for the recipe before they've even finished their plate. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed — fresh broccoli, extra-virgin olive oil, real garlic, lemon zest, and a pinch of turmeric for that warm golden hue — so there's zero guesswork about what's actually in your bowl. That matters more than it might seem, because plenty of store-bought vegetable sides and seasoning blends sneak in synthetic dyes to boost color or visual appeal. Here, the turmeric does that job naturally, and it brings a subtle earthiness that plays beautifully against the bright citrus. Steaming the broccoli until completely tender before mashing keeps the texture lush rather than watery, and the garlic-infused oil ties everything together in the most satisfying way. You can keep it rustic and chunky or push it toward a smoother purée depending on your mood — either way, a final drizzle of olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley make it look like something from a restaurant. It's an easy, clean-ingredient win that works as a weeknight side or an impressive addition to a bigger spread.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs broccoli (about 2 medium heads), cut into florets, stems peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli florets and chopped stems, cover, and steam until completely tender and a fork slides through the thickest stem piece with no resistance, 10–12 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander and let sit for 1 minute to allow excess steam to escape.
- 2
While the broccoli steams, warm the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
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