Vegetarian Lemon & Olive Oil Broccoli Mash
Broccoli gets a serious glow-up here, transformed from a simple steamed side into a silky, flavor-packed mash that earns a spot at the center of the table. The trick is steaming the florets and peeled stems until completely tender, then folding in garlic-infused olive oil, bright lemon zest, and a touch of turmeric — that golden spice adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous color without overpowering anything. Mashing everything together with a fork or potato masher lets you dial in the texture, whether you want something rustic and chunky or closer to a smooth purée. A final drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley pulls it all together into something that looks and tastes far more impressive than the ingredient list suggests. It works beautifully as a side dish alongside roasted vegetables or grain bowls, but honestly it's satisfying enough to eat on its own with crusty bread. Every ingredient here is whole, plant-based, and easy to find, so there's no label-reading stress — just clean, vibrant cooking from start to finish.
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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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