Broccoli Rice

You’ve heard of cauliflower rice, but have you ever tried broccoli rice? This incredibly simple recipe is a great low-carb addition to any meal. Learn how to make this quick side dish to easily swap out rice whenever you want!

Broccoli Rice Recipe

Broccoli gets a bad rap for being a “gross vegetable”. But there are so many easy ways to truly make it taste absolutely delicious, and this broccoli rice recipe is one of them! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this lovely little side dish.

If you’re on a Whole30 or Keto diet, rice isn’t an option — so homemade broccoli rice is the perfect substitute. Pair it with things like air fryer grilled chicken breast or brown sugar pork chops for a simple and tasty meal.

Broccoli rice is actually made from broccoli stems! I love being able to use every single part of my food so that I can reduce food waste. When I make this recipe, I often use the broccoli florets in air fryer broccoli so that it all gets cooked up!

I love carbs, but sometimes there’s just a need to either avoid them or need to get more veggies in my diet. That’s where broccoli rice comes in! It’s oh so tasty and is a sneaky way to get plenty of vegetables into my diet. You’re gonna love it!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Easy recipes like this are a staple around our house:

• Using up each broccoli stalk and stem is a fantastic way to use all of the broccoli and reduce food waste. Don’t throw away those stems — they’re totally useful!
• Broccoli rice is great for picky eaters. Sneak in those veggies with these little rice-sized bites of broccoli.
• This is a super simple side dish to add to dinner on a busy weeknight. My whole family loves it and I bet yours will too!

Ingredients

This is truly an amazing way to prepare broccoli! You only need four simple ingredients to make it and then pair it with any main dish you want. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

• broccoli stems: You’ll need 2-3 broccoli stems with the florets removed. A great way to have plenty of stems is to freeze them whenever you use the florets for recipes like easy roasted broccoli.
• olive oil or avocado oil: Adding olive oil or avocado oil to broccoli rice helps to keep it from sticking together and adds some flavor to the veggie.
• salt: Simple seasonings are actually the best way to add some flavor to this dish. Use some salt to add the perfect amount of flavor.
• black pepper: Some black pepper adds a little bit of warmth, and a good bit of flavor, to this easy broccoli rice dish.

How to Make Broccoli Rice

Follow these step-by-step instructions to make this dish super quickly! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Remove the florets from the broccoli stems. Feel free to cook cook the florets separately if desired.

Add all of the stems to a food processor and pulse into rice sized pieces — about a ¼ inch in size. 

Stir fry the broccoli rice in a large skillet over medium heat until softened. Season with oil, salt and pepper and then serve with your favorite main course!

How to Store Leftover Broccoli Rice

Transfer to an airtight container and allow to cool completely. Then store in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can also freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before reheating. To reheat, place in a skillet with a bit of oil and heat until thoroughly warmed through.

What to Serve with Broccoli Rice

There are so many different ways to serve broccoli rice! I personally love to pair it with protein like air fryer filet mignon or air fryer turkey meatballs. It’s a delicious side to serve with things like grilled chicken drumsticks too.

You can use it as a replacement for rice with dishes like Kung Pao chicken, Instant Pot butter chicken, or Chipotle barbacoa. It’s great to pair with Mediterranean dishes like chicken souvlaki or Mediterranean lamb meatballs.

Tips for Success

Follow these simple tips and tricks to ensure this recipe is a success:

• Before you put the broccoli stems in the food processor, make sure you wash them super well and dry them completely. You’ll need to ensure they’re dry so that there’s no excess moisture in the rice.
• Make sure you don’t over-pulse the broccoli stems or they could become super mushy.
• If you’re making an extra large batch of broccoli rice, then cook it all in batches. Overcrowding the skillet can cause the broccoli rice to steam and make it mushy.

FAQ

More Vegetable Recipes

• Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash
• Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots
• Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans