An easy and delicious way to eat your vegetables: Korean Broccoli Side Dish. Steamed broccoli is simply dressed with a sesame garlic dressing. A light side dish that tastes good with everything! 

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Korean Broccoli Side Dish

Korean Broccoli Banchan is a tasty side dish that’s served in Korean restaurants and often enjoyed at home. Served at room temperature and lightly dressed with sesame oil, garlic, and salt — it’s absolutely delicious. An easy recipe that can be put on the table in 10 minutes!

In Korean cuisine, this side dish is sometimes called “Namul” or “Muchim.” Namul is a general term used to describe cooked vegetables. ”Muchim” is a term used to describe vegetables that are mixed and seasoned by hand. This broccoli salad can be both — and such a delicious vegetable side dish!

Korean Broccoli Side Dish is a great way to jazz up plain old steamed broccoli. Good for potlucks and holiday meals, as well as weeknight dinner.

A healthy Asian broccoli salad that’s light and aromatic. And so easy to put together. Enjoy!

Health benefits of Broccoli

People say, “Eat your broccoli!” for a reason. The health benefits of broccoli are enormous!

• Full of antioxidants with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties
• Fiber-rich green vegetable that aids with digestion, healthy gut microbiome, and regular bowel movements
• Packed with Calcium and Vitamin K for improved bone health and density
• Promotes collagen production and iron absorption

Ingredients:

• Broccoli. Fresh broccoli florets are the star of this recipe. Look for bright green broccoli with tight buds and firm stalks.
• Sesame Oil. Fragrant sesame oil adds so much aroma and flavour!
• Sesame Seeds. Toasted sesame seeds add nutty flavour, aroma, and texture.
• Garlic. For a zesty garlic kick. If you prefer less garlicky flavor, use only 1 garlic clove instead of 2.
• Sugar. Adds a hint of sweetness and balances out everything else.
• Black Pepper. Earthy and peppery.
• Salt. Salt enhances the flavour of steamed broccoli significantly. Add to the water, the dressing, and also another sprinkle right before serving. 

Instructions:

1. Chop. Chop broccoli into small florets. Be sure to include the broccoli stalk and broccoli stem — they are delicious! Wash thoroughly by soaking in cold water. Drain and set aside.
2. Steam. In a medium saucepan, add 1-2 inches of cold water. Heat on high heat until the water comes to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Cover tightly and reduce heat to medium-low. Steam broccoli until al dente and bright green, exactly 2 minutes. If you like it softer, steam for 3 minutes. 
3. Ice bath. Immediately transfer to an ice bath (large bowl filled with ice water). The cold water will shock the green vegetables and prevent further cooking.
4. Drain. Transfer the chilled broccoli to a colander. Shake a few times to remove excess water. Let the veggies continue draining in the colander as you make the dressing. Pat dry with a paper towel if it looks overly wet. Otherwise, the seasoning will be diluted.
5. Make dressing. In a small bowl, add sesame oil, sesame seeds, minced garlic, salt and sugar. Mix well with a spoon. Add the broccoli and mix well with hands (using disposable food service gloves) or tongs. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
6. Serve. Transfer to a serving plate. Right before serving, add an extra drizzle of sesame oil. Tastes good cold or room temperature. Enjoy!

PRO Tips:

• Use a large bowl. A small bowl will make it difficult to cool down the steaming hot broccoli — it needs to be swimming in the ice water to stop the cooking process. A large bowl also makes it easier to mix the broccoli and dressing together. 
• Use a timer. The cooking process goes fast! To prevent soggy, overcooked broccoli, use a timer. 
• Cover tightly. When steaming the florets, it’s important to use a tight-fitting lid so the steam can build. You only need 1-2 inches of water — as long as the lid fits tightly. FYI broccoli only needs 2 minutes to steam until al dente.
• Double or Triple the recipe. It’s easy to double or triple the recipe. Use a large stock pot and increase all the ingredient amounts. 

Variations:

• Swap with broccolini or Chinese broccoli. Any broccoli variation tastes good with this recipe.
• Make it spicy. Add 1 Tbsp Gochukaru (spicy Korean chilli flakes) to the dressing for a spicier flavour.

Serve with:

Korean Broccoli Banchan is a delicious side dish that goes with everything. Some suggestions:

• Asian Glazed Spicy Salmon
• Korean Beef Bulgogi

Or, serve with rice and kimchi for a quick, work-from-home lunch that’s filling and satisfying. Top with a fried egg for protein.

More easy Korean side dishes:

• Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim)
• Romaine Lettuce Salad (Sangchu Geotjeori)
• Potato Salad (Gamja Salad)
• Spicy Braised Tofu (Dubu Jorim)