A chef has shared a simple recipe for giving broccoli an instant 'upgrade', suggesting that home cooks ditch the saucepan in favour of a frying pan. Chef Stephen Beaddie, who shares culinary tips on TikTok, demonstrated his Asian-inspired tenderstem broccoli method in a video from November 2025.
According to Stephen, pan-frying broccoli over high heat creates a char that adds a new depth of flavour. 'The char is where the flavour's at,' he said. To ensure the broccoli remains tender, he advises adding a splash of water to the pan, which generates steam to cook it through.
The recipe involves heating a large frying pan until smoking hot, adding sesame oil and the broccoli, and seasoning lightly with salt. After allowing the broccoli to char well on one side, garlic and ginger are added until aromatic. A splash of soy sauce and a small amount of water are then added to steam and finish cooking. Finally, chilli flakes, sesame seeds, and a dash of white wine vinegar are stirred through.
Stephen's video has garnered over 73,200 views and 1,422 likes. Commenters praised the method, with one noting that sesame oil is 'so underrated' and another saying they had bought tenderstem broccoli that day, calling it 'a sign'. Stephen concluded: 'Delicious, beautiful. You gotta try it. Broccoli rules.'
