Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame
A quick stir-fry of broccoli with garlic and chili flakes, finished with toasted sesame for a spicy, nourishing vegetable side. This asian-inspired stir fry (vegetarian) ready in about 18 minutes pairs broccoli florets, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups broccoli florets to the skillet, tossing to coat with oil and spices. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce, stirring to evenly coat the broccoli. Cook for an additional minute until the sauce slightly thickens and clings to the vegetables.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the broccoli. Toss lightly and serve immediately as a spicy, healthy side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep broccoli florets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Garlic and Chili Stir-Fried Broccoli with Sesame vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
