When you need an easy, quick side dish that everyone will devour, this Shaved Broccoli with Pine Nuts is the one to make. A unique way to cut broccoli that makes it tender and flavorful and perfect for absorbing the flavors around it. We love adding pine nuts to this broccoli recipe but you can swap them out for other nuts or leave them out for a nut-free version!
Why We Love This Shaved Broccoli Recipe
What’s not to love about a 15 minute vegetable side dish? I’m telling you, if you have picky eaters in your life, or kids that you’re trying to get more vegetables into, this is the recipe to make.
- Unique preparation: Instead of chopping up these heads of broccoli, we’re shaving them into small pieces. This method helps the broccoli absorb the flavors of the dish much more than if it was cut into larger pieces.
- Fast cooking: Because the broccoli is shaved into small pieces, it helps the broccoli cook up super fast.
- Versatile flavors: You can add or subtract the ingredients here (especially the pine nuts) to the flavors that you like. See the section below called “variations” for more ideas.
Ingredients You Need To Make Shaved Broccoli with Pignoli Nuts
Just a few ingredients and this shaved broccoli dish will be ready in no time!
- Broccoli: We’re using two medium heads of broccoli for this recipe. Make sure when you’re buying broccoli that the heads are firm and tight, not soft and loose.
- Pine Nuts: Or pignoli nuts, for added flavor and texture. You can omit these for a nut-free version or swap out other nuts instead since pine nuts can be a bit pricey.
- Garlic: Garlic goes really well with broccoli, we like to use a garlic press for this recipe, keeping with the theme of small chopped ingredients.
- Chicken Broth: Just a little chicken broth to add flavor and to help cook the broccoli down and become tender. You can also use water.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce will add that umami flavor to this broccoli dish, it won’t taste of soy sauce, it will just add another level of flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: A good quality, nutty parmesan cheese compliments the pine nuts, but even if you aren’t adding the nuts, do still add the parmesan.
How To Make
Step by step photos here with brief directions. For complete instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Toast the pine nuts: Add pine nuts to a large, dry skillet and toast over medium-low heat until slightly brown and fragrant. Remove from the skillet.
- Cook the broccoli: Shave two heads of broccoli and then add to the skillet with olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes until bright green and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken broth and cook for 2 minutes until the chicken broth evaporates and the broccoli is tender.
- Add flavorings: Add the toasted pine nuts back to the skillet along with grated parmesan cheese and soy sauce. Stir, taste for seasonings and serve.
Tips For Best Results
When you “shave” the broccoli, make sure that you include some of the stem for texture. Cut the stem into small pieces as well, but you don’t want all shaved florets or the dish will seem mushy. Using some smaller and some bigger pieces will add a lot of nice texture.
Don’t over cook the broccoli. Because the broccoli pieces are small, it will only take about 7 minutes to cook through, over cooking will also result in mushy, soft broccoli.
Serve immediately, but leftovers are still delicious. While this broccoli recipe is best served right away, don’t worry about leftovers, they’re still super tasty. If you’re on a meal prep journey, this shaved broccoli is very tasty alongside ground beef, chicken or turkey. Even stirred into a pasta dish.
Variations
You can use other nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans, slivered almonds or toasted, chopped hazelnuts. Or if you’re looking for a nut-free version you can absolutely leave the nuts out altogether.
Brighten the broccoli up with a squeeze of lemon juice, or add other seasonings to your tastes. You can spice it up with crushed red pepper flakes, or keep it mild for the kids.
Here’s A Few More Easy Vegetable Side Dishes
- Peas and Bacon
- The Best Spaghetti Squash
- Ranch Potatoes
- Perfectly Steamed Microwave Broccoli
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Honey Glazed Carrots
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Shaved Broccoli with Pine Nuts
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeShave Broccoli with Pine Nuts is a simple side dish with bold flavors. This vegetable side goes with almost any meal – kids and adults will love it!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional: other nuts could include slivered almonds or chopped walnuts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 medium heads of broccoli
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste (or can use red pepper flakes)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Turn the skillet on to medium-low heat and toast the pine nuts, while stirring until lightly browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Turn a head of broccoli on its side and use a knife to “shave” the broccoli into small pieces. (see the post for pictures) Cut part of the stems as well, chopping into small pieces. Add the oil to the skillet over medium heat, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds while stirring. Add the shaved broccoli, along with the salt and pepper to the pan and stir. Cook for 5 minutes until the broccoli turns bright green and starts to get tender.
- Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and stir to combine. Cook until the chicken broth evaporates and the broccoli is tender. (if you need really tender broccoli for small children, cover the skillet with a lid for this step).
- Return the pine nuts to the skillet along with the soy sauce and parmesan cheese. Stir, taste for seasonings and serve.
Recipe Notes
Store: Store leftover broccoli in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat: Reheat the broccoli in the microwave until warmed through.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
