How to Cut Broccoli in 5 Steps

Broccoli is an edible green vegetable in the cabbage family (*Brassicaceae*). Broccoli features a large, dark green flower head and a thick, light green stalk. The broccoli plant resembles the cauliflower plant, which is white and is part of the same *Brassica* species. Broccoli is a nutrient packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. It also contains vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and carbohydrates. It’s very low in natural sugars and is naturally gluten free and cholesterol free. Every part of the broccoli is edible, including the head of broccoli, the stalk of the broccoli and the broccoli leaves that are attached to the broccoli stem. Follow the steps below for how to cut broccoli: 1. __Rinse the broccoli__. Wash fresh broccoli under running water and dry with paper towels. 2. __Cut the broccoli__. Place the broccoli lengthwise on the cutting board. Using a sharp knife, divide the broccoli head into florets by cutting each floret where it meets the stalk. 3. __Break the broccoli into smaller pieces__. Using a chef's knife or your hands, break the broccoli florets apart at the stem into small pieces. If you desire, you can cut the larger florets in half into even smaller pieces, so they are all uniform. 4. __Peel the stalk__. Remove the leaves from the stalk; you can discard the leaves or use them in a soup or salad. The broccoli stalk is often bitter and tough, especially when raw. To make the stalk less bitter, use a vegetable peeler to peel off the dark green outer skin of the stalk. 5. __Cut the stalk__. Cut the broccoli stem in half, lengthwise. Depending on the size pieces you want, cut each half of the stalk into thin matchsticks or large chunks. Use a vegetable peeler or microplane to cut the broccoli stalk into ultra thin strips for slaws, if you desire. You can prepare cut broccoli for various [broccoli recipes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/broccoli-recipes), including easy appetizers and main dishes. - __Raw__: You can eat the cut broccoli florets raw in a salad with a vinaigrette. You can also use thin strips of the stalk to make coleslaw. - __Steam__: Broccoli is simple to steam. You can steam broccoli and then lightly season it to make a healthy side dish. - __Roast__: Roast the broccoli in the oven with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. - __Cook__: You can cook simmer broccoli in a soup, such as in [broccoli cheddar soup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/broccoli-cheese-soup-recipe), or add it to a vegetable stir fry with green beans and bell peppers. You can blanch, flash freeze, and store broccoli in the freezer for later use. Frozen broccoli will last six to eight months. Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Mashama Bailey, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more. Broccoli is a healthy, versatile veggie you can steam, stir-fry, simmer, or consume raw. Learn how to cut the thick stem and florets of broccoli.