The Best Ways To Use Broccoli Stems Instead Of Throwing Them Away
Too many people throw broccoli stems away without considering the clever ways they can be used in your cooking. It's easy to get so focused on the pretty green florets that you forget the rest of the vegetable is actually delicious too. They're actually the sweetest part of the plant if you just know how to handle them properly.
Grate them into a slaw
If you have a box grater or a food processor, you can turn those stems into a base for a fresh salad. Shred the peeled stems and mix them with a little bit of vinegar, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
The shredded texture picks up dressing beautifully and stays crunchy much longer than cabbage does. It's a great way to add some more bulk to your meals without spending extra money.
Use them in a stir fry
Since the stems are a bit more dense than the tops, they take a little longer to cook. I like to dice them into small cubes and toss them into the pan a few minutes before the florets.
They soak up all the garlic and soy sauce perfectly. Because they hold their shape so well, they add a nice bite to a quick weeknight meal.
Blend them into soup
Another way to enjoy broccoli stems is in a delicious, creamy soup. Just boil them until they are soft, and then toss them into a blender with some vegetable stock and a little cream or potato.
They create a smooth, incredibly rich base for a green soup. It's a comforting way to use up every single bit of the vegetable so that nothing goes to waste.
Dip them in hummus or ranch
If you're looking for a healthy snack with a good crunch, you can slice your raw broccoli stems into sticks just like carrots.
They're crunchy with a mild flavor that's perfect for dipping into hummus or ranch dressing when you need a quick bite.
I hope you give these ideas a try next time you're prepping dinner. It feels good to get more value out of what you buy, and your kitchen will definitely be less wasteful for it.
We're all learning as we go, and finding new uses for old scraps is a small but great victory.