If your usual boiled broccoli is leaving you uninspired, a culinary expert has shared a simple switch that promises to revolutionise your greens. Chef Stephen Beaddie, who shares his kitchen wisdom on TikTok, has demonstrated an alternative cooking method that he claims makes the vegetable taste "so much better".
The Secret to Superior Broccoli
In a popular video from November 2025, which has amassed over 73,200 views, Beaddie introduced an "Asian-inspired" take on tenderstem broccoli. His fundamental advice is to abandon the saucepan entirely. Instead of boiling, which can lead to soggy, flavourless results, he advocates for a smoking hot frying pan. This technique chars the broccoli, creating a deep, smoky taste that boiling cannot achieve. "The char is where the flavour's at," Beaddie emphasised.
Stephen Beaddie's Simple Recipe for Success
The chef's straightforward recipe ensures the broccoli is not only flavourful but also perfectly tender. After getting a char on the veg, he adds a splash of water to the pan. This creates steam that gently cooks the broccoli through without washing away the newly developed flavours. The dish is then finished with aromatic garlic, ginger, soy sauce, chilli flakes, sesame seeds, and a dash of white wine vinegar for a bright finish.
The response to the method has been enthusiastic. One viewer, Harly Harl, praised the use of sesame oil in the comments, calling it "so underrated". Another user, Abbie, saw the video as a sign after having just purchased tenderstem broccoli. A third commenter, Dora, even suggested starting an "'I love broccoli club'", showcasing the recipe's power to inspire.
How to Upgrade Your Broccoli Game
For those ready to try the technique, here is Chef Stephen Beaddie's full method summarised:
Ingredients: You will need 200g of tenderstem broccoli, one teaspoon of sesame oil, two thinly sliced garlic cloves, a thumb-sized piece of grated ginger, two to three dashes of soy sauce, a splash of water, a pinch of chilli flakes, one teaspoon of sesame seeds, and one teaspoon of white wine vinegar.
Method: Begin by cutting any thick broccoli stems in half lengthways. Heat a large frying pan until it is smoking hot, then add the sesame oil and broccoli, seasoning lightly with salt. Allow the broccoli to char nicely on one side without moving it too much. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking until aromatic. Pour in the soy sauce and a splash of water, letting the steam finish cooking the broccoli. Finally, stir through the chilli flakes, sesame seeds, and white wine vinegar.
This pan-frying method offers a quick, flavour-packed alternative to the traditional boil, proving that a simple change in technique can transform a humble vegetable into a standout side dish. As Stephen Beaddie concluded in his viral clip: "Delicious, beautiful. You gotta try it. Broccoli rules."
