What To Do With Leftover Broccoli – 37 Easy Recipes

If you have leftover broccoli, you can use it in a number of dishes. You can chop it up and saute it with garlic or add it to a stir fry. You can also add it to a soup or pasta dish.

If you’re like us, you may have enjoyed an entire plate of broccoli, then later realized there’s still some left.

So, what should you do?

There are so many good things you can make with broccoli leftovers, including pizza, pasta, and soup.

See Also:

• 17 Best Air Fryer Broccoli Recipes
• what to do with wonton wrappers

But we also have some great leftover broccoli recipes that are perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Check out these delicious recipes below!

37 Leftover Broccoli Recipes

If you’ve got some extra broccoli left over, you can use it in a delicious stir-fry or pasta dish. You can also toss it in a salad, sauté it in butter, or make a great soup.

1. Leftover Steamed Broccoli

This is the perfect example of how versatile leftover broccoli can be. When I have a ton of broccoli in my fridge, this is the first recipe I throw out there. It’s a simple meal to make when you’re short on time and you can’t be bothered to chop it all up. Steamed broccoli with some sauce and a scoop of cottage cheese and you’re good to go!

2. Leftover Broccoli Casserole

This casserole has been a fan-favorite on our blog for years. We’ve tested and retested this recipe and it always turns out perfectly, so I just want to share it with you guys. Use whatever vegetables you have leftover, but it’s probably best if they’re cooked and have a soft texture.

3. Leftover Broccoli Cheese Soup

This is one of my favorite ways to eat leftovers. It makes a great lunch or dinner because the broccoli stays hearty and the cheese is creamy and flavorful. This is also a great recipe for kids to eat because it doesn’t require much cooking time.

4. Leftover Broccoli Slaw

This is a very simple slaw, but I like to make it extra crunchy by adding shredded carrots and jicama. It’s also pretty flexible with the amount of rice you use, as long as you keep it in proportion to the broccoli. I would say it’s good with about 1/2 cup of rice, but you can probably use more.

5. Broccoli Fritters

Broccoli is so versatile and this recipe works well for any type of fritter. They’re super crispy, and they’re perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.

If you’re looking for an easy way to use up broccoli without having to chop it, here’s a good trick. Broccoli stems are much easier to use than the florets because they are firmer and have a much more stable structure.

The broccoli stems can be grated and used as a substitute for cauliflower in any recipe that calls for it, or you can slice them into pieces and use them in place of broccoli florets in your favorite stir fry. This fritter recipe uses broccoli stems in place of cauliflower, but you could also use any other veggie that has stems.

6. Leftover Broccoli and Rice

Leftover broccoli is a great base for a quick, easy, and healthy one-pot meal. Cook your rice according to package instructions and add a little extra liquid if it looks dry. Add the cooked broccoli, salt, pepper, and other seasonings and mix well. If you want to make this even heartier, toss in some leftover chicken or pork that you have on hand!

7. Leftover Broccoli Soup Recipe

There are SO many recipes for leftover broccoli soup but this is my favorite. It’s so good that I’ve been known to make it for dinner several times in a row!

8. Leftover Broccoli and Cauliflower

A favorite of mine, broccoli makes a great side dish or vegetable when it’s cooked into a stir fry or soup. Cauliflower is also great as a side vegetable, and it has the added bonus of being lower in calories than broccoli.

9. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Leftover broccoli can be turned into an amazing roasted garlic-y flavor bomb! This recipe is super quick and simple to make, especially if you have leftover broccoli from another recipe.

10. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

I always have broccoli in the house and it’s one of my favorite vegetables for freezing. Here I’ve added a cheddar and Parmesan cheese mixture and topped it with some breadcrumbs for a more authentic taste.

11. Broccoli Chicken Casserole

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/825636544195215298/

It seems that people can’t get enough of this cheesy broccoli casserole, and for good reason. It tastes like comfort food that can be thrown together in 30 minutes. This version adds chicken for a nice change, but if you don’t have any chicken, just use a little extra cheese and bacon instead.

12. Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

One of my favorite foods is stuffed sweet potatoes and I’ve made them many times with various fillings. Here I’ve added some broccoli and cheddar cheese in addition to the usual ground beef. These are a fun appetizer at any holiday meal, but are also excellent to serve with dinner during the week.

13. Pan-Fried Broccoli

Broccoli, as much as I love it, does tend to go quickly, especially when I have a ton of it in my fridge. To remedy this problem, I like to turn it into “fries”. Pan-fried broccoli is quick and easy, and the resulting crispy bits are an amazing flavor combination with the broccoli’s mild flavor and texture. You can also try the same method with cauliflower and kale!

14. Broccoli Smoothie

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/65513369570826251/

This smoothie was a hit with my kids, so I thought I’d share the recipe! I love that this is a healthy smoothie and the combination of broccoli, banana, oats, and almond milk makes it very filling.

15. Grilled Broccoli

Broccoli and cheese is my favorite way to cook broccoli because it’s a great way to get extra nutrients in. When grilling broccoli, you get a little char on the outside, but you also get a nice, slightly smoky flavor. This dish takes just 10 minutes to make and tastes delicious!

16. Broccoli Stir Fry

Broccoli stir fry is a fantastic way to make use of leftover broccoli and an easy way to add some variety to your weeknight meals. Add a little spice to your stir fry with cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or sriracha sauce. Serve over rice for a complete meal.

17. Shrimp and Broccoli

This recipe is one of my favorites. It’s simple and delicious. Just sauté a bit of garlic and ginger, toss in a bunch of broccoli, top it with shrimp, and pour on your favorite Asian-inspired dressing. Top with shredded cheese and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

18. Broccoli Salad

Another simple recipe that can be as healthy or as indulgent as you want it to be. Make it light by using low-fat mayo, or add the dressing for extra flavor. Just don’t forget to include some chicken or tofu for protein!

19. Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Creamy broccoli soup is probably one of my favorite ways to use leftover broccoli because it tastes SO good, but it’s also incredibly flexible and customizable. This is one of those recipes where I’m not even sure if it qualifies as a “recipe” but it’s definitely a “method” for creating your own broccoli cheddar soup. It’s that easy.

20. Crock-Pot Chicken & Broccoli

It may seem like a crazy idea, but this is a perfect dish to prepare in the crock pot. You can make a huge batch of chicken, cook your vegetables, add your favorite ingredients, and set it all aside to simmer away while you do other things for the rest of the day. This works really well with chicken breast, and you can easily adapt the recipe to use whatever chicken you have on hand.

21. Broccoli Bacon Salad

Bacon is a great addition to salads because it adds flavor and texture. Try adding broccoli as well! It’s a natural partner and compliments the bacon’s smokiness and lends a bit of sweetness to balance out the bite of the bacon.

22. Shrimp and Broccoli Fettuccine

This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s one of the easiest dishes to make that comes together quickly and tastes delicious. It’s also extremely customizable and can easily be veganized. If you’re a vegetarian, I recommend you add a little more cheese for flavor. Or if you prefer a meaty dish, go heavy on the shrimp!

23. Spaghetti Lo Mein

I don’t know why this isn’t more popular, but lo mein has been an absolute staple in my kitchen for years now. This dish uses leftover broccoli as a base, giving it a whole new spin and leaving you with leftovers that you won’t have to throw out.

24. Air Fryer Broccoli

Air fryers are amazing, especially when it comes to vegetables. They take away the hassle of turning a lot of vegetables into chips, plus they cook them evenly and fast. And while they’re not cheap, they’re also great if you’re looking for a simple solution for vegetable recipes.

In this case, I recommend you use some extra broccoli from your previous cooking so that it’s already chopped and ready to go. And when it’s done, you can just toss it onto a plate, top it with your favorite sauce and cheese, and boom. Dinner is served!

25. Beef & Broccoli Buddha Bowls

Buddha bowls are a new way to eat that I’m loving right now. I make them by adding rice, protein, veggies, and sauce all at once in a bowl. There’s no assembly required. Then I just add whatever toppings I want for a quick and easy meal!

26. Bang Bang Broccoli

Sometimes I feel like I’m not eating enough greens, so I’ll toss broccoli into my dinner. When it’s just me and broccoli, I love to add as much spice and garlic as possible. So, this is a way to make the most of what you have in the fridge!

27. Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble-Up Bake

If you haven’t tried baking with broccoli yet, you’re missing out! The texture of broccoli works perfectly with baked goods and this chicken bacon ranch bubble-up is a perfect example. It’s quick and easy and is a great way to use up any leftover broccoli.

28. Garlicky Shrimp Ramen with Broccoli

Ramen is the perfect quick and easy meal, but sometimes I’m too busy to make it on a weeknight. Ramen is the answer. This recipe is for when you don’t have time to go through the extra steps of boiling the noodles, but you still want that delicious ramen flavor.

29. Crock-Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Soup

This soup is hearty, creamy, and full of cheesy goodness. It also has broccoli, which helps it feel like a complete meal. This is perfect if you have leftover chicken and veggies and you just need something to eat for dinner.

30. Chicken Broccoli Stuffed Peppers

I have a hard time keeping myself from buying a bunch of peppers at the store every time I go. When I’m in a rush, this is my solution. Roast them whole, stuff them with broccoli and cheese, and bake!

31. Hoisin-Glazed Salmon with Broccoli and Sesame Rice

This is the dish that started it all for me. If you’ve never had hoisin sauce, it’s an Asian staple. It has a sweet and savory taste that is perfect for marinating salmon in and topping dishes with. This recipe uses two different types of broccoli to create a tasty side dish that goes great with salmon!

32. Mongolian Shrimp & Broccoli

Broccoli is great in stir fry because it’s sturdy enough to stand up to heat and it absorbs the flavor of whatever you use to season it. It also pairs well with all kinds of other foods. So, throw some shrimp in with your broccoli and you’ve got yourself a delicious and nutritious meal.

33. Cauliflower & Broccoli Carbonara

I love this cauliflower and broccoli carbonara as a lighter alternative to regular pasta carbonara, but it can also be used as a meatless “meaty” topping for pasta or other dishes. It’s great for those who are watching their sodium intake or just want to keep it vegetarian, but still get a nice taste of bacon!

34. Gluten-Free Broccoli Crust Pizza Recipe

Broccoli is a great gluten-free base for pizza because it has an incredibly thick and dense crust. This particular pizza recipe is perfect for those who are trying to keep a healthy, gluten-free diet while still enjoying pizza. If you’re not following a gluten-free diet, you can use regular pizza dough and top it with cheese.

35. Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Bowties

This dish was one of my favorites when I was working at the Whole Foods pizza station! It was such a simple way to get my broccoli fix. Just boil some chicken breasts, chop up your broccoli, add cream cheese, and top with shredded cheese and chives. It’s a great way to use up leftover broccoli.

36. Honey-Sriracha Chicken with Broccoli

This one is another recipe that’s ideal for the week. I was so excited to find this recipe that I made it twice in one week. In fact, I didn’t even measure all the ingredients and just went by feel. This recipe is super easy and really flexible. I just love the addition of fresh garlic and cilantro.

37. Spicy Broccoli Stem Peanut Noodles

When I was a kid, I used to love broccoli stems! They tasted like “potatoes” to me. But these days, I prefer the leaves and the “peas” (the tiny little flower-like things at the bottom of the stem). This dish is a great way to get in more veggies!

FAQ

What to do with leftover broccoli casserole?

Leftover broccoli casserole is a wonderful side dish for chicken, fish, and beef. It’s also a good option for leftover pizza. Try a few slices of garlic bread with a slice of cheese and you’ll have a delicious meal in a matter of minutes.

What to do with leftover broccoli cheese soup?

The best way to use up leftover broccoli cheese soup is to serve a grilled cheese sandwich along with it. If you want to save some time, you can make the grilled cheese sandwiches the day before and store them in the refrigerator for the next day.

What to do with leftover broccoli soup?

If you have leftover broccoli soup, you can use it as a base for a sandwich or a salad. Add slices of bread or toast and top with a generous portion of the soup.

What to do with leftover broccoli stalks?

Leftover broccoli stems can be turned into a delicious side dish. Simply toss them with olive oil and garlic, roast them for a few minutes, and you’re good to go! You can also sauté the stalks with onions, mushrooms and bacon.

What to do with leftover broccoli rabe?

The best thing to do with leftover broccoli rabe is to make it into a pasta dish. You can add it to your favorite pasta dishes like carbonara, or toss it with spaghetti and meatballs. You can also saute it in olive oil and garlic, or even grill it for a quick appetizer.

What to do with leftover broccoli slaw?

Leftover broccoli slaw is a great side dish for a variety of foods. You can use it as a salad, to top pizza or even to make a simple sandwich.

Conclusion

So, what can you do with leftover broccoli?

There are many ways you can use leftover broccoli. You can cook it again for another meal or eat it as a snack. Another way you can use it is to make broccoli chips. To make them, simply cut the broccoli into small pieces, toss it with olive oil, salt and pepper, then bake it in the oven until crispy.

Related:

What to Do with Leftover Boiled Potatoes (14 Ideas)

What to Do with Leftover Meat Sauce: 34 Creative Ideas

What to Do with Leftover Apple Pie Filling (31 Ideas)

15 Leftover Boiled Cabbage Recipes

What to Do with Leftover Biscuits for Breakfast (19 Ideas)

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

What to Do with Leftover Stuffed Pepper Filling (22 Ideas)

What to Do with Leftover Alfredo Sauce: 13 Recipes

What to Do with Leftover Potato Salad (25 Ideas)