High Fructose Corn Syrup 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 you rethink everything you thought you knew about vegetables. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed — fresh broccoli, real garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon — so there's zero chance of sneaking in any unwanted sweeteners or additives that show up in so many packaged or restaurant versions of "simple" sides. The technique is straightforward: steam the broccoli until completely tender, bloom the garlic gently in olive oil, then mash everything together with lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of turmeric for a warm golden color and subtle depth. You control the texture, whether you want it rustic and chunky or smooth enough to rival any fancy purée. A final drizzle of good olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley pull the whole thing together beautifully. It works as a weeknight side, a base for roasted proteins, or honestly just eaten straight from the bowl with a spoon — no judgment here.
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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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