Broccoli with Feta
on May 25, 2022, Updated May 17, 2024
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If you know the 🇮🇹 Italian classic Aglio e Olio dish, then you KNOW the method is perfect for achieving big flavor super quick. “Aglio e olio” means 🧄 garlic and oil in Italian and this is the same technique for this Broccoli with Feta recipe. This is one of the few ways you will get me to eat 🥦 broccoli and I can never have enough. I’d like to say I mixed Italy and 🇬🇷 Greece into one dish and you will not be disappointed.
Why You’ll Love Broccoli with Feta
This 🥦 Broccoli with Feta recipe will bring new life to boring broccoli. All you need is 2 additional minutes after steaming to unlock a new level of flavor. A quick sauté in 🫒 oil and garlic 🧄 is simply perfection and by crumbling creamy and salty feta over the dish makes this irresistible. I love the addition of dill here, but you can use whatever chopped fresh 🌿 herb you like. It’s a side dish that comes together in minutes but no one will ever forget it.
How to Prepare Broccoli with Feta
🔪 First, peel a little bit off the broccoli stem with a peeler and then cut it into equal-sized pieces. Cut or break the broccoli crown into florets.
🧂 In a large pot on the stove, boil water and add salt.
🥦 Boil the broccoli for 2 minutes making sure it still has a bite to it and is not mushy.
🧄 Meanwhile, slice up the garlic into thin slices and then add it to a pan with olive oil.
🔥 Now, turn the heat to medium, let it come up to temperature and then let the garlic infuse with the oil.
🥄 Once the garlic sizzles (be careful not to burn it), add in the cooked broccoli and give it a mix.
⏲️ Next, add in the feta and let it melt if you want to for about 1-2 minutes.
🌿 Take it off the heat and garnish with a little bit of fresh finely and finely chopped dill. Enjoy
Nonna’s Tip 🫛
If you don’t want to use broccoli you can certainly use this same method to saute cauliflower, asparagus, snap peas, or green beans.
Variations and Substitutions for Broccoli with Feta
- I used Bulgarian-style feta for this recipe, but you can use any you have on hand.
- Dill is optional but really underrated and delicious, we use dill in everything in Bulgaria and it’s absolutely a must for me. You could use 🌿 parsley or oregano instead.
- If you don’t like 🥦 broccoli you can certainly make this recipe with cauliflower, or use the same method to saute asparagus, 🫛 snap peas, or green beans.
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Best Served With
- This Broccoli with Feta can be served as a side to any main protein such as 🍗 grilled chicken, steak or fish.
- You could also mix this Broccoli with Feta mixture with pasta, 🍚 rice, or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Serve this Broccoli and Feta as a lunch bowl with a side of tofu, chickpeas or tuna, spinach, 🫑 bell peppers and rice.
Common Questions
Yes, you can use cauliflower, sweet peas, asparagus or green beans instead.
We use dill in everything in Bulgaria and it’s absolutely a must for me, but you could certainly use parsley or oregano instead.
Yes, feel free to use your favorite non-dairy feta variety instead.
Salting the water is optional but recommended because it enhances the flavor of the broccoli. You could salt the broccoli after boiling it, if you prefer.
Add the sliced garlic to cold oil and heat them together on medium. This allows the garlic to infuse the oil without burning. Stir frequently and keep an eye on the garlic.
For best results, I would boil the broccoli ahead of time and then saute just before you’re ready to serve.
Boil the broccoli for only 2 minutes and immediately remove it from the hot water to maintain its bite. You can also plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking process if you’re not sauteeing right after.
Broccoli with Feta
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli , cut into florets, about 2 cups
- salt for the water
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese, measure with your heart
- fresh dill , optional
Instructions
- Peel a little bit off the broccoli stem with a peeler and cut it into equal sized pieces. Cut or break the broccoli crown into florets.
- Boil water on the stove and salt it. Boil the broccoli for 2 minutes making sure it still has a bite to it and it’s not mushy. Slice up the garlic into thin slices and add it to a pan with olive oil. Turn on the heat to medium and let it come up to temperature and let the garlic infuse with the oil.
- Once the garlic sizzles (be careful not to burn it) you can add in the cooked broccoli and give it a mix. Add in the feta and let it melt if you want to for about 1-2 minutes.
- Take it off the heat and garnish with a little bit of fresh finely and finely chopped dill. Enjoy
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We add toasted hazelnuts to this and use it as a side salad
Love it Ger! Thanks for sharing ❤️