Garlic Sauce Broccoli is a beloved dish, a cornerstone of many Chinese-American takeout menus. This simple yet incredibly flavorful recipe brings that iconic taste home, transforming humble broccoli into a vibrant and satisfying meal. We're ditching the heavy oils and unnecessary additives often found in restaurant versions, opting instead for a lighter, healthier, and completely vegan approach. Get ready to experience the perfect balance of savory garlic, subtle sweetness, and perfectly tender-crisp broccoli. This recipe is surprisingly quick to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Forget complicated techniques and long ingredient lists; this vegan Garlic Sauce Broccoli recipe is refreshingly straightforward. The result is a dish bursting with umami and a delightful textural contrast, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Ready to learn how to recreate this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen? Let's dive into the step-by-step process!
Tools Needed
- Steep-sided saute pan or soup pot/dutch oven
- Expandable steamer basket
- Large bowl
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- Rice: 100 grams
- Water: 1.75 times rice volume
- Garlic: 3-4 cloves
- Ginger: 1 thumb-sized piece
- Chili: 1/2
- Broccoli: 1 medium-large crown
- Cooking oil: 1 inch
- Water or stock: 1 cup
- Onion powder: 1 teaspoon
- Soy sauce: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Vinegar or mustard: 2 teaspoons
- Oyster sauce or fish sauce or Marmite: 1 tablespoon
- Sugar: 1 tablespoon
- Molasses: 1 glug
- Sesame oil: 1-2 teaspoons
- Pepper
- Chinese five-spice (optional)
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
- MSG (optional)
- Salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Base
- Wash and drain rice a few times. Add 1.75 times the rice volume in plain water (no salt). Bring to a boil uncovered, then cover and steam for 15 minutes.
- Peel and finely chop garlic, ginger, and chili.
- Add an inch of water to your pan. Place broccoli upside down in a steamer basket, and steam for 3 minutes.
- Immediately transfer the steamed broccoli to an ice bath to stop cooking and preserve color.
Step 2. Make the Garlic Sauce
- Heat oil in pan. Fry the garlic, ginger, and chili until softened and slightly golden. Add water/stock, onion powder, soy sauce, vinegar/mustard, oyster sauce/fish sauce/marmite, sugar, molasses, sesame oil, pepper, and five-spice (if using).
- Mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry. Drizzle the slurry into the sauce while stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Add MSG or salt to taste. Adjust sweetness, sourness, and saltiness as needed.
Step 3. Combine and Serve
- Add the blanched broccoli to the sauce and reheat until warmed through. Spoon sauce over rice and garnish with sesame seeds (optional).
Read more: Super Easy Fall-Off-Bone Chinese Style Ribs: One-Pot Recipe
Tips
- For fluffy rice, wash and drain the rice multiple times to remove excess starch.
- Blanching and shocking the broccoli keeps it bright green and crisp.
- Don't overcrowd the steamer basket; allow space for steam to circulate.
- Add the cornstarch slurry slowly while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. The sauce should be bold and flavorful enough to complement the broccoli and rice.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw it completely before adding it to the sauce. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better browning.
2. What can I substitute for soy sauce?
Tamari or coconut aminos are great soy sauce alternatives, offering similar savory depth. Adjust the amount to your preferred saltiness.
3. How can I make this spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for a little heat. You can also add a finely minced fresh chili pepper.
This easy vegan Garlic Sauce Broccoli recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort, proving that delicious and healthy can coexist beautifully. Enjoy this vibrant and satisfying dish as a weeknight dinner or a delightful addition to your next gathering. We hope you enjoy this taste of Chinese-American cuisine, made simple and plant-based!