MSG 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 quietly steals the show at the dinner table. Every ingredient here is clean and whole — broccoli, olive oil, garlic, lemon, a pinch of turmeric — so there's no need to scan labels or second-guess what's hiding in a seasoning packet. That matters more than people realize, since flavor enhancers have a way of sneaking into even the most innocent-looking pantry staples. Here, all the depth comes from garlic bloomed in good olive oil and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, which together do more heavy lifting than any additive ever could. The turmeric adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous golden hue without overpowering the fresh, vegetal flavor of the broccoli. You can keep it chunky and rustic or mash it smooth — either way it's silky, savory, and genuinely satisfying. A final drizzle of olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley make it feel a little fancy with almost zero extra effort.
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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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