Broccoli Leaves Recipe Ideas That Will Limit Your Food Waste

Chefs and farmers have been making broccoli leaves recipes for years—and for good reason. "One serving [of broccoli leaves] supplies your daily dose of vitamin C, plenty of antioxidants like vitamins A and K, and the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk," says Ashley Koff, R.D., a registered dietitian in Washington, DC. (Psst...here's how to crank up your calcium consumption beyond just these green leaves.) 

Each broccoli leaves recipe is affordable too since a bunch is only about $1. Seek out the mild greens at the farmers' market, or look for the organic BroccoLeaf brand (who provided these genius broccoli leaves recipe ideas) at the supermarket. With a milder flavor than the florets, broccoli leaves taste great in green smoothies; roasted with oil, salt, and pepper to make chips; or tossed in a salad. Or try these broccoli leaves recipes from BroccoLeaf, chef Andrew Hunter, and chef Akasha Richmond. Sorry, kale!

Makes: 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup naturally brewed, lower-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 bunch broccoli leaves
• Vegetable oil, as needed
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell peppers
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into ribbons

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the broth, soy sauce, hoisin, and sesame oil. Whisk together and set aside. In another bowl, combine the cornstarch and water and stir together.
2. Trim the stems where they meet the broccoli leaves. (Tip: Save the stems for a green smoothie or juice.) Roll the trimmed leaves lengthwise so they resemble a rolled cigar. Holding the roll with one hand, slice the leaves crosswise into thin 1/2-inch-wide "noodles."
3. Heat a wok or large sauté pan over high heat. When the wok starts to smoke, add the oil, allow it to heat for a few seconds, then add the onions, carrots, and bell peppers. Stir and shake the pan constantly until the vegetables are soft and golden brown.
4. Keeping the heat as high as possible, add the broccoli leaf "noodles" and continue stirring and shaking until they're wilted. Add the garlic, ginger, and basil; stir and shake again for 30 seconds. Add the sauce to the wok, bring to a quick boil, and stir the cornstarch slurry to recombine and add to the sauce. Stir and boil briefly to thicken. Serve with steamed brown rice. (Related: How to Make a Broccoli Rice Stir-Fry to Cut Down on Food Waste)

Makes: 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 bunch broccoli leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced or sliced fresh garlic
• 1 pinch crushed red chili flakes

Directions

1. Trim the stems where they meet the broccoli leaves. Roll the trimmed leaves lengthwise so they resemble a rolled cigar. Holding the roll with one hand, slice the leaves crosswise into thin 1/2-inch-wide "noodles."
2. Heat a medium-size nonstick sauté pan or cast-iron skillet. Add the olive oil (which, btw, might help lower your risk for breast cancer) and heat just until it ripples. Add the garlic; stir and sauté just until it begins to caramelize. Add the broccoli leaf "noodles" and water, cover and steam for 2 minutes. When the broccoli leaves are soft and bright green, season to taste with crushed red chili flakes.

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups egg whites or 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 bunch broccoli leaves
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons pitted, chopped Kalamata olives
• 4 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into ribbons
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese (one of the healthiest cheeses on the planet!)
• 2 tablespoons toasted rolled instant oats

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the egg whites or eggs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. Trim the stems where they meet the broccoli leaves. Roll the trimmed leaves lengthwise so they resemble a rolled cigar. Holding the roll with one hand, slice the leaves crosswise into thin 1/2-inch-wide "noodles."
4. Heat a medium-size nonstick sauté pan or cast-iron skillet. Add the broccoli leaf "noodles" and water; cover and steam for 2 minutes. When the broccoli leaves are soft and bright green, add the olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and half the fresh basil. Stir to combine.
5. Brush the sides of the pan with a little extra olive oil to prevent sticking and pour in the egg white mixture. Stir constantly over medium-low heat as you would for scrambled eggs, just until the eggs begin to set, about 5 minutes.
6. When the eggs are set around the edges, but still loose on the top, drop 6 to 8 spoonfuls of ricotta cheese randomly into egg mixture. Sprinkle toasted oats and remaining Parmesan cheese on top. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the top of the frittata is firm to the touch. Loosen the edges of the frittata from the pan with a rubber spatula and slide it onto a cutting board or serve directly from the skillet. (Related: 8 Egg Recipes That Make the Perfect Healthy Lunch)

Makes: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 bunches broccoli leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale-green parts only)
• 1 large shallot, peeled and sliced
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 cups chopped cauliflower (about one head)
• 4 cups vegetable stock, plus more as needed
• 4 cups unsweetened coconut milk, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup white miso
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• Extra-virgin olive oil and chives for garnish

Directions

1. Trim the stems where they meet the broccoli leaves.
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat; cook leeks and shallots, with a pinch of sea salt until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the cauliflower and vegetable stock to the leeks. The stock should almost cover cauliflower; add a little more if needed. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until cauliflower is just tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Add broccoli leaves and coconut milk. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add black pepper.
4. Puree soup in batches with the miso in a blender until very smooth, adding more vegetable stock or coconut beverage if it's too thick. Season with coriander, turmeric, and additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped chives.

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 bunch broccoli leaves, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 4 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 cup toasted and salted slivered almonds
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Trim the stems where they meet the broccoli leaves.
2. Mix the broccoli leaves, cabbage, carrots, and red onion in a medium-size bowl. Reserve the almonds and cranberries.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, mustard, canola oil, salt, and pepper. Pour over slaw mix and toss to combine. Add the almonds and cranberries.

Makes: 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 bunches broccoli leaves, chopped (about 8 cups)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups finely chopped leeks (white and pale-green parts only)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon white rice flour
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ cup grated pecorino cheese
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Trim the stems where they meet the broccoli leaves.
3. Place a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the butter. When butter is melted, add leeks and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the leeks have softened. Add broccoli leaves with the vegetable stock and cook, stirring occasionally until the greens have wilted, about 8 to 10 minutes.
4. In a small mixing bowl combine the cream, half-and-half, rice flour, and nutmeg. Whisk until smooth. Pour into the broccoli leaf mixture and stir while cooking for about two minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.
5. Transfer mixture into a buttered 8-inch round baking dish. Top with pecorino cheese. Place in the oven uncovered for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is browned. (ICYMI, here's the real reason why comfort food—like this broccoli leaf recipe—makes you feel better.)