Low-Carb Sesame Broccoli

This simple Low-Carb Sesame Broccoli recipe is packed with flavor from four simple ingredients, including garlic, ginger, sesame oil and soy sauce. This steamed broccoli is an easy side dish and one that fits into a low-carb, keto or gluten-free diet.

Barbara found this recipe in the cookbook Vegetables on the Side. Each chapter is all about a different vegetable, and it’s in alphabetical order – how awesome is that? Barbara turns to it often for inspiration when trying to encourage her family to eat their veggies.

She added this low carb broccoli recipe to her recipe box of low carb options. These include Low Carb Cream of Celery Soup, Low Carb Tuscan Sausage Soup, Spaghetti Squash Casserole, and Low Carb Taco Chorizo Soup.

Low-Carb Sesame Broccoli Recipe

Barbara likes to keep a jar of minced garlic in the refrigerator. Recently, she found a jar of roasted garlic at Aldi, and it has even more flavor that the regular stuff.  You can absolutely use fresh garlic that you mince yourself.

She does something similar with ginger because she found minced ginger at Aldi and keeps it in the refrigerator. You can buy a ginger chunk at the store. Scrape off the skin with a spoon, and then grate or mince.  You can store the ginger in the freezer if you don’t think you will get around to using it in the near future.

Notes About Low Carb Steamed Broccoli:

Sesame oil is an easy ingredient to amp up the flavor in your recipes.  It comes from sesame seeds, and has a nutty taste. You should store it in a dark place at room temperature to prevent it from forming off-flavors.

Sesame seeds are optional in this recipe.  Barbara bought a big bag, of sesame seeds and she keeps it in the freezer since it’s an ingredient that she doesn’t use too often.  To make the sesame seeds more flavorful, you can roast them in a 375 F degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes on a baking sheet.

This recipe works best with fresh broccoli.  Did you know that you can eat the big stalks. Don’t waste them.  Instead, cut off a small slice of the end, and then use a vegetable peeler to remove the woody outside layer.  Barbara likes to eat the white inside of the broccoli stalks raw.

You can either steam your fresh broccoli in the microwave, or you can use a steamer insert for your saucepan.  Barbara prefers the stove top method, and it takes about 5 to 7 minutes to get it crisp-tender.  Using a steamer insert, you put water in the saucepan, and then put the steamer insert on top.  The water should not be high enough that it comes through the steamer holes.  Add the broccoli to the steamer insert, and then put a lid on top.  Once the water boils underneath, it steams the broccoli perfectly.

How to Make Low-Carb Broccoli:

Full recipe sesame broccoli is at the bottom of this post.

Toast sesame seeds (optional) in a preheated oven for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Steam broccoli until crisp tender in the microwave or in a steamer insert on the stove top. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and garlic. Cook on low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, do not boil. Pour over very hot broccoli.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

Main Dish Options

Try this Low-Carb Sesame Broccoli with our Easy Stove Top Chicken, Vintage Barbecue Burgers, or Old-Fashioned Ham Steaks for a quick and easy meal.