Weeknight Winner: Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon

 This bright, slightly sweet-savory broccoli dish mixes crisp-tender florets with a glossy garlic-soy sauce and bacon that turns crunchy and irresistible. The sesame oil adds a toasty note and a few sesame seeds make it look like you tried a little harder than you did. It’s full of texture: snappy broccoli, punchy garlic, and salty, crisp bacon.

Top reasons to make it now:

• It’s fast to cook and families usually love it.
• Uses simple pantry ingredients and fresh broccoli.
• Works as a side or a quick veggie-forward main with rice.

For another cozy family-friendly bake you can pair it with, try this cheesy baked tortellini casserole for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Made with pantry staples and fresh broccoli
• Crisp texture with bold garlicky flavor
• Easy to double for meal prep

Ingredients

• 1 pound broccoli florets
• 4 strips bacon, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions of Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook until crisp, about 6–8 minutes. Drain bacon on a paper towel and reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet.
2. Raise heat to medium-high, add the olive oil to the skillet with the bacon fat, and add the broccoli florets. Sauté, tossing often, until bright green and slightly charred, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Push broccoli to the side of the skillet and add the minced garlic to the empty space. Cook the garlic for 30–45 seconds until fragrant don’t let it burn.
4. Stir the garlic into the broccoli. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil, tossing to coat evenly. Cook 1–2 minutes more so the sauce slightly reduces and glazes the florets.
5. Return the crispy bacon to the pan, toss to combine, and taste. Season with salt and pepper as needed (remember bacon is salty).
6. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot alongside rice or your favorite protein.

Tips for Success

• Cook bacon first and reserve a little fat it adds real depth to the flavor.
• Don’t overcook broccoli; aim for crisp-tender so it keeps color and snap.
• Add garlic at the right moment (after broccoli starts to char) to avoid burnt, bitter garlic.

Substitutions & Variations of Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon

To Make It Vegan/Gluten-Free:

• Use coconut aminos or a gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
• Replace bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon for a vegan, smoky crunch.

Variations:

• Add a squeeze of lemon or rice vinegar for bright acidity.
• Toss in red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil for heat.
• Stir in toasted almonds or cashews for extra crunch and protein.

Storage Instructions of Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon

Refrigerator:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to keep bacon crisp.

Freezer:

• This dish is best fresh; freezing changes the broccoli texture and bacon crispness. If you must, freeze without sesame seeds for up to 1 month and thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Make-Ahead:

• Chop broccoli and mince garlic a day ahead to save time. Cook bacon and keep it in the fridge; toss everything together and reheat when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon

Can I roast the broccoli instead of sautéing?

• Yes. Roast at 425°F (220°C) on a baking sheet for 15–18 minutes until edges char. Toss with sauce and bacon after roasting.

Is this recipe spicy?

• Not by default. Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha if you like heat.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

• You can, but fresh gives the best texture. If using frozen, thaw and pat dry, then cook a bit longer to remove excess moisture.

Final Thoughts

Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon is a fast, tasty way to get veggies on the table without fuss. The mix of crunchy broccoli, garlicky sauce, and smoky bacon makes it a small dish that packs big flavor your kitchen will smell like a winner. Give it a try, leave a comment about how yours turned out, and add a star rating so others know it’s worth making.

Asian Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Crispy Bacon

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A quick and restaurant-worthy side dish featuring crisp-tender broccoli in a glossy garlic-soy sauce topped with crispy bacon.

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

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• 1 pound broccoli florets
• 4 strips bacon, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add chopped bacon. Cook until crisp, about 6–8 minutes. Drain bacon and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
2. Raise heat to medium-high, add olive oil to the skillet with bacon fat, and add broccoli florets. Sauté, tossing often, until bright green and slightly charred, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Push broccoli to the side and add minced garlic to the empty space. Cook garlic for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir garlic into broccoli. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, tossing to coat evenly. Cook 1–2 minutes more to let the sauce reduce and glaze the florets.
5. Return crispy bacon to the pan, toss to combine, and season with salt and pepper as needed.
6. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve hot.

Notes

Cook bacon first and reserve fat for flavor. Avoid overcooking broccoli for best texture.

• Author: soukaina
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian
• Diet: Non-Vegetarian