How to Cut Broccoli with Step-by-Step Instructions

Broccoli is more than just a tiny tree. You can serve this delicious and versatile vegetable raw, roasted, make it into soup, and so much more. Learn how to cut broccoli for easier prep and to add elegance to your plating.

What parts of broccoli are edible?

A head of broccoli looks a bit like a tree. It has dark green florets growing at the top, a thick, trunk-like stalk, and thick green leaves. While most people only eat the florets, every part of broccoli is edible.

Broccoli stalks

Broccoli stalks are super tasty. They have a crisp texture and a delicate flavor – sort of like a mix between broccoli florets and water chestnuts. There are a ton of ways to use broccoli stalks, including roasting, steaming, or stir-frying. You can also puree them for soup, slice them up for salads, or create a broccoli slaw. 

Broccoli leaves

Broccoli leaves are also becoming very popular. It’s more common now to see a head of broccoli in the store with the leaves still intact. Sometimes, you can also find them on their own. They’re often with the other leafy greens at the grocery store or your local farmer’s market. 

Broccoli leaves have a taste that is similar to kale or collard greens. You can bake them like you would kale chips, braise or saute them, steam them, or add them to a salad. 

How to cut broccoli stalks

Broccoli stalks have a thick outer “skin” that isn’t very palatable. So, if you’re going to eat them, you’ll want to peel them first. You can do this with a vegetable peeler in the same way you would peel a carrot. If you don’t have a peeler handy, you can also slice the fibrous outer layer off with a pairing knife.

Once it’s peeled, there are several ways to cut your broccoli stalk. You can cut it into small rounds, slice it into sticks, or shred it to make a “slaw.” 

How to cut broccoli leaves 

Broccoli leaves are very large and impressive-looking. If they’re still attached to the rest of your broccoli, you’ll want to start by carefully breaking them off and gently washing them. Then, remove the center rib. You can do this with a sharp knife or use the “o” method. To do this, pinch your pointer finger and thumb together to make an “o” shape, then pull the leaf quickly through the space, detaching the leaves from the center rib. 

While the ribs are typically discarded, you can eat these as well. Just make sure to cut them into very small pieces. This will give them a head start in cooking, so they soften and become tender at the same time as the rest of the leaf. 

How to cut broccoli into florets

If you’re creating a vegetable platter or simply need broccoli florets, then you’ll want to do your best to cut them into evenly sized pieces. To do this, start by washing your head of broccoli, then place it upside down on a cutting board, so the stalk is in the air.

Use your knife to cut off each floret where it meets the stalk. If this creates huge florets, cut them in half and pull them apart with your fingers. If you’re serving the florets raw, you may want to leave the stems fairly long. However, if you’re cooking them, you may want to cut the stems a bit shorter. 

How to cut broccoli into slaw 

Broccoli slaw is very popular, for good reason. It’s delicious, healthy, and easy to make. While you can buy pre-made bags of broccoli slaw at the store, it’s also quite simple to make your own. Start by removing the florets and peeling your broccoli stalks. Then, use a mandoline to slice your broccoli stalks into planks. Finally, stack them up and cut them crosswise to make julienned strips. 

How to cut broccoli for salads

When adding broccoli to a salad, it’s best to slice it super thin. If you do it right, the florets will break apart into small, rice-like pieces. Start by washing your head of broccoli and removing any leaves. Then, hold the broccoli upside down over a bowl, holding it by the stem.

Use a sharp knife to gently shave off the top layer of the broccoli florets, making sure they land in the bowl. Be careful not to use too much pressure. This layer should come off pretty much effortlessly. Next, cut the remaining florets off the stems and use your knife to chop them into small pieces. Put them back in the bowl and mix them with the riced pieces, then toss the blend into your salad. 

How to rice broccoli

Cauliflower rice has become quite popular in recent years, and now broccoli rice is showing up on plates across America as well. The easiest way to make this is to use a food processor or a blender. Start by washing your broccoli, then cutting it into one-inch florets. Add them to your food processor or blender and use the “pulse” button to chop them into small pieces. 

Be careful not to overload your appliance, and don’t over-process your stems. Otherwise, you’ll end up with mush instead of a rice-like consistency. 

Add broccoli to your next shopping list

Now that you know how to cut broccoli in so many different ways, you’ll be ready to start experimenting with this tasty vegetable. When you find a recipe you want to try, don’t waste your time shopping. Instead, head over to Instacart, add the items to your list and let a professional shopper take care of it for you. 

Grab it now on Instacart:

Broccoli Florets (12 oz)

Eat Smart Broccoli Slaw (12 oz)

OXO Slicer, Mandoline, Handheld (1 each)

Broccoli Florets (10 oz)

Green Giant Organic Riced Cauliflower (48 oz)

Broccoli Rice (12 oz)

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