7 Simple Ways to Use Broccoli Stalks
By Hannah Healy
Updated May 17, 2023
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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.
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.
I julienne them with carrots and blanch them and make eggs rolls out of them instead of using cabbage.. They make terrific egg rolls… 🙂
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
Thanks for your help and cool recipes!
I grate them and make cole slaw out of it!
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 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
Juicing and cut of the tough outer layer and use them for vegetable mash along with cauliflower, carrots, sellery ect.
I make pickles … debark, slice and soak in apple cider vinegar and salt
I chop the stalks up real fine, ad peanuts and raisins, and stir in mayo ,, yummy
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.
Broccoli slaw.
My four year old loves to eat them. I don’t have a chance to use them for anything else 🙂
https://instagram.com/p/Xpyzz4Aj0S/
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.
I puree them in soup, grate them into salads, or grate them in making fermented veggies.