Many people just throw away the broccoli stalks, but there are so many great uses for them. I’ve come up with at least 7 ways to make good use of those spears of broccoli.
First, let me clarify what I mean by “broccoli stalks”…
There is the whole bottom part or “trunk” of the broccoli “tree” so to speak. Then, there’s the tough outer layer of that “trunk” that you can slice off with a peeler or paring knife to reveal the tender inner section.
When I cook broccoli, I always include that tender inner section so as to not waste it (it’s perfectly good broccoli!). But then there’s still that rough outer layer left over.
This list will include uses for both the whole stalk (the trunk of the broccoli tree) and the tough outer layer of the stalk.
You can scroll down to check out the list or watch the video below:
7 Ways to Use Broccoli Stalks:
1. Cut off tough outer layer and cook the inner section
I always do this when cooking broccoli so as to not waste any of it. Use a paring knife or a peeler to take off the tough outer layer of the stalk. Chop up the inner part and cook it as you would cook the florets. I usually steam them.
2. Compost
If you have a garden or a farm composting is a great way to turn your food scraps into fertilizer. Use your food to make more food! Now that’s what I call sustainable! Composting can be really easy with products like this compost tumbler.
Some cities like San Francisco have a compost program that goes along with the garbage collection program, so even if you don’t have a garden or farm, you can still put your food scraps into the compost bin and it will be collected and used for a farm.
3. Make broth
Use the tough outer layer of the stalk for broth. I have a container of veggie scraps that I save in my freezer. Every time I make broccoli, I add the tough parts of the stalk to this container along with other veggie bits like the ends of carrots, kale stalks, cauliflower stalks, etc.
When the container is full I use it to make a big batch of broth and use the vegetable scraps. Of course, I only use organic vegetables for broth. I wouldn’t want to create a broth full of pesticide residue!
You can make vegetable broth or you can add veggie scraps to your bone broth for added nutrients.
4. Slice them very thinly and sauté or add to casseroles or frittatas
Since the stalk is tough it can be hard to steam large chunks of it, but if you take care to slice or chop it very finely and cook it a little longer, you can sauté it with a stir-fry or add it to casseroles or frittatas.
5. Feed them to your dog (in limited amounts)
I often give my dog broccoli stalk bits (that’s my dog Lentil in the photo below…isn’t she sweet!). Since it’s tough, it’s a fun thing for her to chew on…almost like a rawhide bone! I give my dog a little bit of broccoli just about every time I make it and now when I get out the cutting board and start chopping a vegetable, she runs into the kitchen thinking that she’ll get a broccoli stalk.
If you’ve never given your dog raw broccoli before, start out with just a little bit and see how they react. Broccoli should be fine for dogs in small amounts, but it’s always best to see how they do with a little bit first. As with other animals, make sure to not give your dog too much as it could potentially cause digestive upset.
6. Soup
Use several full broccoli stalks to make a pureed soup. Chop up the stalks and cook it with broth, any other vegetables you want (like onions or garlic) and seasonings, then puree with a hand blender. Add cream if you want cream of broccoli soup. Check out my broccoli soup recipe here!
7. Chicken or Goat Feed (in limited amounts)
Many people have backyard chickens or goats for the eggs and goat milk. Broccoli stalks are a great supplement to their diet. Of course, it shouldn’t be the only thing they’re eating, but it’s a good way to make use of it! Make sure to not give them too much as large amounts could potentially cause digestive upset.
How do you use broccoli stalks? Add your ideas in the comments below!
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Lili says
May 16, 2013 at 7:14 amI toss them in my juicer with the rest of the goodies for my morning green juice.
WAYNE FRENCH says
December 18, 2013 at 12:22 pmYES YES YES, ME TOOO 🙂
Jas says
July 21, 2016 at 2:51 pmYep, same here.
Amy Allen says
May 16, 2013 at 8:01 amI save the “tree part” as we call it in our house and I add it to meatloaf, stuffed peppers anywhere I want the family to get extra veggies. If you chop it up very fine they don’t even notice it. I had to hide it as my husband is not a huge veggie fan. 🙂
Priscilla says
June 12, 2013 at 3:54 pmI do this, too — I grate it up with the cheese grater & add it to just about every soup or sauce or casserole or burrito or WHATEVER that I’m feeding my family. Not huge amounts, but it’s great for bulking up gravies or whatever — waste not, want not!
jah e says
December 12, 2013 at 5:22 pmI like the idea of using a cheese grater. Once I get it grated the possibilities will be exciting. I’m such a lover of broccoli, I feel shame at all the “stalks” I’ve tossed. 🙂
Laura says
May 16, 2013 at 10:29 amI peel them and slice thin, slice some radishes, and cut up some tomato. I add a bit of Italian dressing and even my grandkids loved it.
teanut says
May 16, 2013 at 12:59 pmI have an old vegetarian times cookbook with a broccomole recipe! it’s a little time intensive, but tastes great and is very low fat.
Linda Prater says
May 16, 2013 at 1:51 pmI always give them to my bunnies they love them but I do like that juice idea
Tracy | Screaming Sardine says
May 16, 2013 at 2:14 pmThanks so much for this. I just bought some organic broccoli and thought I should be able to do something with the stalks. I did freeze some for veggie broth. 🙂
Marsha says
May 16, 2013 at 7:19 pmI just eat them raw and it is my favorite part, so much less bitter than the florets. Sweet and crunchy!
Elizabeth Dietrich says
January 11, 2014 at 5:01 amNow you’r talking! It’s my favorite part as well. I also like to peel off the tough skin, cut into 3-4 inch lengths and marinate in your favorite vegetable marinade. It’s great for parties or JUST PLAIN SNACKING! 🙂
Natalie says
May 17, 2013 at 4:55 amAfter I peel the tough outer layer, I use a Julienne peeler to make a broccoli slaw to mix in with lettuce on our salads Or add to chopped cabbage for coleslaw. If I’m lazy that day, I just throw the trees into my freezer baggie for stocks.
Angelle Tibbets says
May 21, 2013 at 1:25 pmI make slaw also!
Janet says
May 20, 2013 at 11:48 amThey are my absolute favorite parts. I make sure to by broccoli that has a HUGE stalk so that I can have all that delicious sweetness. I cook it the same way with the florets. So much better than the florets too.
kitblu says
December 18, 2013 at 4:14 pmSo do I and I steam them, serving with a little oil, lemon juice and salt.
Christine T. says
May 20, 2013 at 4:26 pmI slice them up and eat them raw. They are sweet, crunchy and delicious.
Rebecca says
May 21, 2013 at 11:31 amI haven’t tried this myself but I saw an episode of Rachel Ray where she sliced them longways (like carrot sticks) and roast them with a drizzle of garlic and EVOO.
Mary says
May 21, 2013 at 12:08 pmWe remove the tough outside, slice it thin and eat it as “chips” with vinegar.
Karen Joy says
May 21, 2013 at 3:31 pmI also save the (peeled) stalks for munching on — rather like carrot sticks — for myself or for a child who needs a snack before dinner. Also, you can julienne the stalk’s inside and add it to coleslaw.
Travis says
May 21, 2013 at 5:51 pmI just cut the knots off, slice them transversely, and eat them with hummus. Almost nothing goes to waste and it’s a good source of fiber. I call them broccoli stars so people are more intrigued when I share them at lunch.
Michaelann Dahlman says
May 21, 2013 at 9:10 pmI peel the stalks & then shred them with my baby Moulinex. I add a few handfuls of the florets as well. Then I made a basic cream soup base: 1 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp. flour. Stir & gradually whisk in 1 C. milk until thick. Add shredded broccoli, stir, cook for about 5 minutes. Add 1 C. florets and cook 5 minutes more. Voila, home-made cream of broccoli coup! My husband loves it!!
Lisa says
May 21, 2013 at 10:36 pmI chop them up in 1cm cubes en cook them 2 minutes longer then the broccoli and just eat them as well. Just as tasty!
mary delong says
May 22, 2013 at 2:52 amI grind them in the food processor and make brocolli cheese soup. Or just use them in soup. So much is wasted in this world and they are full of flavor and vitamins. I also feed to goats and chickens, when we do not eat them.:)
Randy Perry says
February 8, 2017 at 2:16 pmChop them up in a food processor add a little olive oil and spices and use over wheat paste. Its a way to add flavor without to many calories.
Heather White says
May 22, 2013 at 4:35 pmI peel them, then chop them finely in the food processor. Then I saute them with the onions, garlic and any other vegetables I am putting in spaghetti sauce. My kids, including the veggie-averse one, never knew it was there!
Amanda says
June 12, 2013 at 3:19 pmI give them and a few carrots a few pulses in the food processor, add a bit of poppyseed salad dressing (Aldi), some dry cranberries and toasted salted sunflower seeds… absolutely delicious side salad. can’t imagine wasting them!
Meagan says
June 12, 2013 at 3:32 pmI… umm… eat them along with all the other parts of the broccoli??
Mark says
June 12, 2013 at 6:51 pmI eat them right along with the crown! It’s all broccoli!
Lisa R says
June 12, 2013 at 3:38 pmI puree them in soup, grate them into salads, or grate them in making fermented veggies.
Heather Jacoby says
June 15, 2013 at 9:08 amI make a vegetarian stir fry with chopped brocolli and cauliflower and peppers. Often I only have the broccoli stalks left to use so I julienne then with some julienned carrots and peppers and it makes an awesome dish.
Leah says
July 8, 2013 at 4:23 pmMy four year old loves to eat them. I don’t have a chance to use them for anything else 🙂
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Dyanne Spease says
August 12, 2013 at 10:20 amBroccoli slaw.
DavetteB says
August 14, 2013 at 3:46 pmI learned this from a pot pie I bought – dice it up small and add to pot pie filling instead of the usual peas and carrots.
lola dickey says
August 14, 2013 at 4:01 pmI chop the stalks up real fine, ad peanuts and raisins, and stir in mayo ,, yummy
Delicia says
August 15, 2013 at 1:33 pmI make pickles … debark, slice and soak in apple cider vinegar and salt
Dorrit says
August 25, 2013 at 10:19 pmJuicing and cut of the tough outer layer and use them for vegetable mash along with cauliflower, carrots, sellery ect.
LavaExcelsior says
September 29, 2013 at 12:07 pmI throw them in my food processor raw until they’re roughly chopped and throw them in a tortilla with pulsed carrot, pulsed red pepper and chopped lettuce . I wipe the tortilla with a teaspoon of peanut butter and drizzle a little sesame dressing before rolling it up to create a fast and delicious way to get myself to eat my veggies. <3
Linda says
December 18, 2013 at 9:29 pmI cook mine up until they’re tender, add in some rice and cheddar cheese and if i have any left over chicken I add that in and have either Broccoli cheddar rice soup or broccoli cheddar and chicken rice soup. My family loves it. Yum!
Tricia says
December 21, 2013 at 3:02 pmI grate them and make cole slaw out of it!
joal says
January 1, 2014 at 11:30 amThanks for your help and cool recipes!
Chris says
January 3, 2014 at 8:08 amI have had the insides of the stalks at a party. They were sliced into flat chips. I didn’t know what they were made from so I asked and was pleasantly surprised. They have a spicy taste and were served with dip. Yum!
Kyle says
January 4, 2014 at 6:45 amI cut them in to spears and ferment them with a few spices and brine and make broccoli pickles. In fact they are shown to be great cancer fighters.
Anthony Brown says
January 27, 2014 at 1:45 pmI slice into 1cm wide 5 mm thick slices and use instead of bamboo shoots in a stir fry, oh and most of the above.
Patty says
February 7, 2014 at 12:26 pmWe use them in our daily green smoothie. You don’t even need to remove the tough outer layer. Our smoothie consists of spinach, kale, broccoli stalks (when we have them), 1/2 avocado, lemon wedge, any fruit combo that can include berries, apple, pears, mango, kiwi, pineapple, etc. flax seeds. Let your imagination be your guide. We fill the Vitamix container first with the greens, lemon, flax, avocado and some water, blend, then add the fruit (can be frozen) then blend again. Really good! Probably TMI , but we’re hooked on the smoothie.
Melissa Denicks says
February 19, 2014 at 8:02 amRaw with salt. My mom always did this when cooking broccoli, cut up the stem and ate it while cooking, and I was always right there ready to have my piece.
Bill Boswell says
February 22, 2014 at 10:20 amI peel off the outer “bark” on the broccoli “tree” and dip them into ranch or other salad dressings and eat them like eating a banana, dipping again after every bite.
Sandy Schultz says
April 27, 2014 at 3:14 pmAfter removing tough outer layer with a knife, I slice broccoli chips and add to my tossed salad, to soups and/or to the rest of the broccoli florets. They’re perfectly fine and taste yummy. They’re also great in stir fries, etc.
Tina Mintz says
April 27, 2014 at 8:53 pmI julienne them with carrots and blanch them and make eggs rolls out of them instead of using cabbage.. They make terrific egg rolls… 🙂
Mike the Gardener says
April 28, 2014 at 11:58 amGreat post! I grow a lot of my own broccoli and am always looking for new ways to use everything. Up to this point, whatever wasn’t eaten was juiced 🙂
dadsfavor8 says
May 1, 2014 at 9:51 pmI actually like them BETTER than the florets! I eat them raw all the time, and also juice them. If making a stir fry, I add both the florets and the whole trunk…sliced up. I add it to stews, and also raw in salads.
helen says
June 15, 2014 at 3:35 ami peel them (peels into the soup) slice or sliver them and eat them raw either solo or in a salad…
Brian says
September 3, 2014 at 7:41 amUse a bullet blender, a full stalk in half or quarters, half frozen banana, Whey protein (I use Whey Factors vanilla) – blend and what a great drink.
Judy losier says
October 28, 2014 at 12:57 pmI use them like sliced celery in my fried rice.
eric says
October 28, 2014 at 10:03 pmI use the stalk as a pot scrubber. Works great on cast iron!
TS says
January 13, 2016 at 3:26 pmBroccoli fritters
Karen says
March 30, 2016 at 3:43 pmBroccoli stalks can also be cut crossways (after peeling) to fry like okra.
Melissa says
April 18, 2017 at 2:53 pmI always heard to leave them out of broth as it makes it bitter. Hmmmm, interesting!
I give them to our rabbits, the outer layer, I do use the inner stalk though in the pot with the rest of the broccoli.
Sarah says
February 20, 2019 at 9:42 amI feed them to my tortoise!