22 purple sprouting broccoli recipes (2024)

Why we love purple sprouting broccoli

This variety is actually even quicker to prepare and cook than standard broccoli. Simply trim the stems and boil or steam for a shorter time – the tender stalks and florets will cook through much more rapidly. It's deep green leaves with a purple hue look lovely against a creamy sauce or in a colourful salad. As with other types of broccoli, it works well in pasta dishes and spicy stir-fries.

Health benefits of purple sprouting broccoli

Broccoli is rich in sulphur, meaning it's good for your gut health and, as a result, may improve your immunity. A key component of broccoli is a phytochemical known as sulforaphane, which gives it that slightly bitter taste. Studies have shown sulforaphane may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Purple sprouting broccoli recipes

Charred purple sprouting broccoli with tahini yogurt and spiced seeds

Charred purple sprouting broccoli, coated in a tahini yogurt and topped with spiced seeds, makes a sophisticated starter or light lunch. Serve with crusty bread for mopping up all the sauce.

More like this

Use up a jar of tahini with our delightfully nutty tahini recipes.

Broccoli stir-fry

At its best in early spring, make the most of purple sprouting broccoli with this zingy stir-fry, flavoured with soy, ginger, garlic and chilli.

Find more vegetarian stir-fry recipes.

Gnocchi with crispy purple sprouting broccoli and garlic butter

Here, purple sprouting broccoli is fried until crisp and heaped onto a bed of comforting gnocchi, slicked in a buttery, cheesy sauce. A satisfying 30-minute meal.

See more gnocchi recipes like this.

Lemon-crusted salmon with purple sprouting broccoli

Eating healthily doesn't mean you have to deny yourself. This salmon dish with purple sprouting broccoli is packed full of citrus flavours and is so delicious, you'll forget you're being virtuous.

For a hearty salmon dish, try our best ever creamy salmon pasta.

Sausage pasta with broccoli

A creamy mustard sauce livens up this sausage meatball and broccoli dish with penne pasta. Make it for a comforting midweek meal which the whole family will love.

Skip the sausages and go for our fettuccine alfredo instead.

Purple sprouting broccoli, blue cheese and almond salad

Match purple sprouting broccoli with a blue cheese and garlic dressing, then sprinkle with toasted almonds for added crunch.

We've got lots more stunning salad recipes to enjoy all year round.

Purple sprouting broccoli, spiced fried eggs and lime yogurt on toast

Cumin seeds and chilli flakes add punch to this vegetarian brunch idea starring purple sprouting broccoli. It's ready in just 10 minutes, too.

We've got plenty more brunch recipes.

Purple sprouting broccoli in oyster sauce

Purple sprouting broccoli is matched with a moreish sweet and salty oyster sauce. Serve with rice for a quick midweek dinner.

Have a look at our best speedy recipes.

Purple sprouting broccoli tempura with ponzu dipping sauce

Check out this vegan recipe for crunchy purple sprouting broccoli in crispy tempura batter. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish will make an impressive dinner party starter.

If you or your guests aren't veggie, try our tempura squid.

Broccoli and peanut soba noodles

Our recipe for purple sprouting broccoli and peanut soba noodles is really easy to make and ready in 20 minutes. The zingy sauce gives the broccoli an injection of flavour, whilst the roasted peanuts add a crunchy texture to the dish.

See all our high-protein vegan meals.

Spring salad with purple sprouting broccoli, peas and mozzarella

Celebrating spring's finest produce, this purple sprouting broccoli, pea and mozzarella salad makes for a quick and easy light lunch for two.

Make the most of other seasonal ingredients with our delightful spring recipes.

Griddled purple sprouting broccoli with peppers and walnuts

Red pepper and walnuts make the perfect accompaniments for griddled purple sprouting broccoli in this punchy vegan-friendly recipe.

Use up your bag of walnuts with our wonderful walnut recipes.

Roasted broccoli and feta flatbreads

Vibrant in colour and full of flavour, these roasted purple sprouting broccoli and feta flatbreads make an exciting change from your average midweek meal.

Find lots more ways with budget-friendly chickpeas.

Purple sprouting broccoli, spring onion and goat’s cheese tart

Put purple sprouting broccoli at the centre in this spring tart recipe seasoned with fresh thyme. Serve with a simple green salad for an easy veggie dinner.

For dessert you could try one of our sweet tarts.

Veggie soba noodle pots

In need of some lunch box inspiration? This purple sprouting broccoli recipe with carrot, radish, edamame and soba noodles will brighten up any lunch break. The pots are ready in just 20 minutes, under 500 calories and packed full of flavour.

Here's more healthy ideas for your lunchbox.

Chinese-style purple sprouting broccoli with tofu

Tofu and purple sprouting broccoli make perfect partners in this Chinese-style vegan recipe. Easy to make and under 500 calories, this dish is a delicious after-work dinner.

Find more healthy yet satisfying low-calorie meals.

Orecchiette with purple sprouting broccoli and anchovies

Tangy anchovies, punchy garlic and fiery chilli bring a real kick of flavour to this pasta dish, which is ready in just 20 minutes and comes in at under 500 calories.

For another easy pasta supper, try orecchiette with caramelised onions and anchovies.

Healthy turkey stir-fry with broccoli

Sauerkraut adds a delicious tang to this simple turkey stir-fry, balanced with broccoli, mushrooms, zingy ginger and a sweet-salty sauce that gives an added kick.

Check out all our healthy dinner recipes.

22 purple sprouting broccoli recipes (18)

Duck confit with slow-cooked broccoli and blood orange

This dish from Saltine's restaurant takes advantage of the peak mid-winter produce of purple sprouting broccoli and blood oranges, to produce an impressive dish that feels distinctly sunny.

For dessert, you could give our blood orange curd crêpe cake a go.

Charred purple sprouting broccoli with bagna cauda

This is a simple, yet delicious way to enjoy often overlooked purple sprouting broccoli. Serve as a side dish, or toast some bread and pile it on top. You could add a poached egg, too, if you like.

Salsa verde is another delicious green sauce.

22 purple sprouting broccoli recipes (20)

Purple sprouting broccoli with anchovy sauce

A pungent garlic and anchovy sauce elevates purple sprouting broccoli to new levels in this vibrant side dish.

Keep things veggie with our best veggie side dishes.

Linguine with purple sprouting broccoli, sesame and chilli

In need of a midweek pick-me-up? This simple pasta dish is a great way to eat purple sprouting broccoli and is bursting with the fresh zingy flavours of chilli and lemon.

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Our chilli prawn linguine is another must-try.

22 purple sprouting broccoli recipes (2024)

FAQs

What part of purple sprouting broccoli do you eat? ›

Almost everything is edible in your bag of purple sprouting broccoli. You may need to trim the odd tough stalk end or discard the occasional discoloured leaf but everything else can go in the pot, pan or oven.

Does purple sprouting broccoli turn green when cooked? ›

It can be eaten as a side dish or given pride of place in a wide range of delicious meals. Purple varieties generally turn green when cooked.

What to do with purple sprouting broccoli leaves? ›

Simply trim the stems and boil or steam for a shorter time – the tender stalks and florets will cook through much more rapidly. It's deep green leaves with a purple hue look lovely against a creamy sauce or in a colourful salad. As with other types of broccoli, it works well in pasta dishes and spicy stir-fries.

Can you freeze purple sprouting broccoli? ›

Freezing: Purple sprouting broccoli can also be frozen, blanch it first in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then let it cool in ice water. Drain it, and place it into a sealable plastic bag and store it in the freezer for up to 8-12 months.

Is purple broccoli better than green broccoli? ›

Purple-sprouting broccoli was found to contain higher contents of antioxidant compounds compared with green broccoli, but tended to show higher sensitivity to cooking treatments. Cooking methods should be carefully considered in current dietary recommendations.

Can you eat the green leaves on purple sprouting broccoli? ›

The leaves are also edible. Like other brassicas, purple-sprouting broccoli thrives in a fairly heavy, alkaline soil - if your soil is acidic, add lime. Grow in a sheltered spot in firm, rich, well drained soil in full sun. Plant deeply, 60cm apart, and protect from birds and insects.

Why is my purple sprouting broccoli bitter? ›

Even if the head is small, pick your broccoli when the florets are tight, close together and bright green. If the florets are loose, turning yellow and spreading apart, the plant is going to seed and the heads will be bitter.

How to cook purple sprouting broccoli without losing color? ›

To keep PSB's lush purple hue, griddle, grill or quickly stir-fry it. Steaming and boiling washes its colour away. Stir-fry with things like ginger, soy sauce, lime juice and cashews.

Is purple sprouting broccoli healthier? ›

Anthocyanins: The anthocyanin content of raw purple-sprouting broccoli was found to be 6-fold more than that of green broccoli. These compounds give rise to the unique colour of purple sprouting broccoli. They are powerful antioxidants.

Does purple sprouting broccoli regrow next year? ›

Read our Fact File on purple sprouting broccoli. If you choose the right varieties, and time your seed sowing well, you can keep harvesting your crops from autumn through to early summer the following year. Purple-sprouting broccoli is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -12°C.

How do I know when my purple sprouting broccoli is ready? ›

Harvest as soon as the colour of developing purple or white spears is visible in late winter, from mid January to the end of March depending on your variety.

What is the difference between broccoli and purple sprouting broccoli? ›

Even as it is flowering, only the heads are a dark violet shade while the stalks are a leafy green. The overall look of purple sprouting broccoli is also not as tidy as the more common green broccoli. This cruciferous plant has smaller flowering heads and more leaves, similar to broccolini.

Can purple sprouting broccoli bolt? ›

Broccoli prefers cooler weather and can begin to bolt if the soil temperatures get too warm. If the soil bed your Early Purple Sprouting is planted in warms too early the plant will start the next phase of it's life cycle.

How late can I plant purple sprouting broccoli? ›

Purple-sprouting broccoli can be sown any time between March and July, and as mentioned above, when it is sown will determine the timing of the harvest. If you sow in March you can enjoy your harvest in the autumn/ early winter. Sow between April and June, can enjoy your harvest over the winter, and into the spring.

How tall does purple sprouting broccoli grow? ›

Height: 90cm (35"). Spread: 60cm (24"). Companion planting: Try growing broccoli with Nasturtiums to draw cabbage white butterflies away from your crop, and mint to help deter flea beetles.

What part of the plant are you eating when you eat broccoli? ›

Flowers are the reproductive part of a plant. They grow from the stem. Flowers often have brightly colored petals and pollen that attract insects to them. Examples of unopened flowers (buds) that we often eat are broccoli, romanesco cauliflower, and artichokes.

How do you feed purple sprouting broccoli? ›

Feeding purple sprouting broccoli

Through the growing season give the plants an occasional glug of seaweed fertiliser or homemade nettle fertiliser, this will make them good strong plants for bigger crops in winter.

What part of the broccoli stem is edible? ›

The fluffy little florets—the buds at the top of the stalk that pick up texture and absorb flavors and seasoning beautifully—get all of the love. But the stems can absolutely be eaten if you treat them right, and are completely delicious—like the florets, but more mild and sweet, almost like kohlrabi.

Do I need to cover purple sprouting broccoli? ›

Purple Sprouting Broccoli can be sown in a seed bed and then transplanted to its final position. It can also be sown under cover in seed modules and then transplanted to its final position. We recommend sowing under cover although the timings for both methods are given below.

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