How to cut broccoli for pasta

Here’s how to cut broccoli florets: the right way! This method results in the best-looking florets with long stems and an elegant shape.

Wondering how to cut broccoli but not sure the best way? We’ve got you. Broccoli seems deceptively simple to cut, but we’ve got a trick to making it look its best. Leave the stems long! Yes, long-stemmed broccoli florets have the best looking shape that’s perfect for roasted broccoli and broccoli stir fry. Here’s just what to do once you get a hold of a head of broccoli!

Related: Knife Skills 101: How to Cut Basic Fruits & Vegetables

How to cut broccoli florets step by step

Step 1: Slice off the floret stems where they meet the base.

Here’s the key to the most beautiful broccoli florets: keeping the stems long! Take a chef’s knife and cut off the broccoli floret right where its stem meets the larger stalk. If you cut off the broccoli florets right where they attach, it results in stubby looking florets. Keeping the stem long makes the most beautiful broccoli shape!

Caveat: The only caveat is if you’re cutting very small broccoli pieces like for broccoli soup, or if you’d like to have less of a stem for a veggie tray. In that case, you can cut the stem shorter.

Step 2: Slice very large broccoli florets in half.

Cut the base of the stem of any large florets in half, then pull the floret apart with your fingers. Try to make the broccoli florets as similar in size as possible, which results in the most even cooking (it doesn’t have to be perfect!).

Step 3: Cut the stalk, if you’d like.

You can eat the stalk too! Slice of the irregular outer skin on all 4 sides to make a large rectangle. Then you can cut that into long matchsticks. You can dip them into ranch dip just like you would the florets, or use them in stir fries.

And that’s it! How to cut broccoli into perfect florets, and how to cut the stalk too!

Best chef knife & cutting boards

A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen, and lasts for years. Alex and I have had our chef knives for 10 plus years and they still work great! Here are some of the knives we recommend, non-slip cutting boards, and the best knife sharpener. These recommendations are perfect for outfitting your own kitchen, or great gifts for a wedding registry or someone who loves to cook!

• 7″ Chef’s Knife — our best knife recommendation
• 10″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite large knife
• 8″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite affordable knife
• Paring Knife
• Serrated Knife / Bread Knife
• Non-Slip Wood Cutting Board (used in the video!) or Non-Slip Bamboo Cutting Board
• Non-Slip Plastic Cutting Board
• Knife Sharpener
• Drawer Knife Organizer — this is how we store our knives, and it’s even slicker than a knife block

Looking for broccoli recipes?

Now that you know how to cut broccoli, here are some broccoli recipes where you can try it out!

• Roasted Broccoli (Best Ever!)
• Quick Cheesy Broccoli
• Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup
• How to Cook Broccoli
• Shrimp and Broccoli
• Broccoli Stir Fry
• Wild Rice Casserole (Broccoli Cheese!)
• Simple Sauteed Broccoli
• Best Steamed Broccoli

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Description

Here’s how to cut broccoli: the right way! This method results in the best-looking florets with long stems and an elegant shape.

• 1 1/2 pounds broccoli (3 large heads)

1. Using a large chef’s knife, cut off the broccoli floret right where its stem meets the larger stalk. This leaves the stem long (instead of making stubby florets). See the photos above. Caveat: If you’re cutting very small broccoli pieces like for broccoli soup or if you’d like less of a stem for a veggie tray, you can cut the stem shorter. 
2. Separate any very large florets: cut the base of the stem of any large florets in half, then pull the floret apart with your fingers. Try to make the florets as similar in size as possible, which results in the most even cooking (it doesn’t have to be perfect!).
3. If you’d like, you can eat the stalk too! Slice of the irregular outer skin on all 4 sides to make a large rectangle. Then cut the rectangle into long matchsticks. 

• Category: Knife Skills
• Method: Cutting
• Cuisine: N/A

Keywords: How to cut broccoli, broccoli florets

Last updated: May 2021