5 Fun Ways to Make Broccoli Your Family Will Eat

If you're only steaming your broccoli, you're doing it wrong.

Published on July 23, 2021

It's the go-to vegetable for Nicole McLaughlin, aka NicoleMcmom, so how does she keep her family from getting bored by broccoli? By switching it up with different flavors and preparations to keep their taste buds interested. Check out the video above and scroll down to get five ways Nicole likes to prepare broccoli — with nary a steamed spear in sight.

1. Grilled Broccoli

plate of Spicy Grilled Broccoli recipe with gochujang Korean hot pepper paste sauce — Allrecipes

Get the recipe for Spicy Grilled Broccoli.

Generous slices of broccoli are brushed with a sauce flavored with soy sauce, gochujang, honey, lime juice, and red pepper flakes. After a quick grill, the spears are brushed with more sauce to amp up the flavor.

2. Broccoli Casserole

casserole dish of Three-Cheese Broccoli Gratin recipe topped with bread crumbs — Allrecipes

Get the recipe for Three-Cheese Broccoli Gratin.

You'll probably want to come back to this recipe for the holidays, so save it to your recipe box now. Broccoli is baked in a sumptuous mixture of milk, eggs, and crème fraîche along with three kinds of cheese. Bread crumbs give it a beautifully crunchy topping.

3. Roasted Broccoli

plate of roasted broccoli tossed with bread crumbs, garlic powder, and cheese — Allrecipes

Get the recipe for Panko-Parmesan Roasted Broccoli.

Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, this easy sheet pan broccoli recipe makes an easy side dish for whatever's on the menu. You can toss all the ingredients together on a foil-lined pan for easy cleanup.

4. Broccoli Salad

bowl of homemade Bodacious Broccoli Salad recipe with broccoli, bacon, onion, cheese, and creamy dressing — Allrecipes

Get the recipe for Bodacious Broccoli Salad.

Bring this to the BBQ and watch it disappear before your very eyes. Bacon, cheese, and onions are tossed with fresh broccoli and a mayo dressing made sweet and tangy with red wine wine vinegar and a touch of sugar.

5. Broccoli Squares

close up of Broccoli Squares appetizer on crescent roll dough spread with cream cheese and topped with broccoli, tomatoes, and shredded cheese — Allrecipes

Get the recipe for Broccoli Squares.

Here's a quick and easy appetizer for any get-together. Crescent rolls make an fuss-free baked base for ranch-flavored cream cheese topped with fresh broccoli, chopped tomatoes, and Cheddar cheese. Sound perfect for family game night!