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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I toss them in my juicer with the rest of the goodies for my morning green juice.
YES YES YES, ME TOOO 🙂
Yep, same here.
I 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. 🙂
I 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!
I 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. 🙂
I 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.
I have an old vegetarian times cookbook with a broccomole recipe! it’s a little time intensive, but tastes great and is very low fat.
I always give them to my bunnies they love them but I do like that juice idea
Thanks 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. 🙂
I just eat them raw and it is my favorite part, so much less bitter than the florets. Sweet and crunchy!
Now 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! 🙂
After 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.
I make slaw also!
They 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.
So do I and I steam them, serving with a little oil, lemon juice and salt.
I slice them up and eat them raw. They are sweet, crunchy and delicious.
I 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.
We remove the tough outside, slice it thin and eat it as “chips” with vinegar.
I 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.
I 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.
I 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!!
I chop them up in 1cm cubes en cook them 2 minutes longer then the broccoli and just eat them as well. Just as tasty!
I 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.:)
Chop 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.
I 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!
I 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!
I… umm… eat them along with all the other parts of the broccoli??
I eat them right along with the crown! It’s all broccoli!
I puree them in soup, grate them into salads, or grate them in making fermented veggies.
I 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.
My four year old loves to eat them. I don’t have a chance to use them for anything else 🙂
http://instagram.com/p/Xpyzz4Aj0S/
Broccoli slaw.
I 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.
I chop the stalks up real fine, ad peanuts and raisins, and stir in mayo ,, yummy
I make pickles … debark, slice and soak in apple cider vinegar and salt
Juicing and cut of the tough outer layer and use them for vegetable mash along with cauliflower, carrots, sellery ect.
I 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
I 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!
I grate them and make cole slaw out of it!
Thanks for your help and cool recipes!
I 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!
I 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.
I slice into 1cm wide 5 mm thick slices and use instead of bamboo shoots in a stir fry, oh and most of the above.
We 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.
Raw 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.
I 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.
After 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.
I julienne them with carrots and blanch them and make eggs rolls out of them instead of using cabbage.. They make terrific egg rolls… 🙂
Great 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 🙂
I 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.
i peel them (peels into the soup) slice or sliver them and eat them raw either solo or in a salad…
Use 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.
I use them like sliced celery in my fried rice.
I use the stalk as a pot scrubber. Works great on cast iron!
Broccoli fritters
Broccoli stalks can also be cut crossways (after peeling) to fry like okra.
I 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.