How to cook broccoli on a budget

Give your broccoli a boost with our simple, budget-friendly recipes, and see how to cook broccoli with tips on steaming, roasting, and air frying.

Food Editor

Olivia Ferguson

Grown on M&S Select Farms we know and trust, our Remarksable Value broccoli is picked at its peak for freshness and quality. This versatile veggie is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or simple sides, and it's great roasted, steamed, or air-fried. Discover easy ways to cook broccoli or try our budget-friendly recipes to get creative with this everyday staple.

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How to cook broccoli

Discover the best ways to cook broccoli, whether steaming quickly or roasting in the oven. Before you start, rinse under cold water, trim any tough stems, and cut into even-sized florets. Don’t throw away the stalk – slice it into thin discs or batons for stir-fries, soups, or roasting.

How to roast broccoli

Preheat oven to 200ºC/180ºC fan/gas mark 6.
Toss broccoli florets with olive oil and season, then spread out on a roasting tray.
Roast for 20–25 minutes until tender and lightly crispy, turning halfway through.

How to steam broccoli

Bring a saucepan with a small amount of water to the boil and place a steamer basket on top.
Add the broccoli, cover, and steam for 4–6 minutes until just tender and bright green.

How to air fry broccoli.

Place broccoli in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
Air fry at 190°C for 8–10 minutes, shaking regularly, until lightly crisp and cooked through.

Our top budget broccoli recipes

From a please-all pizza to a speedy stir-fry traybake, discover our great-value, family-friendly broccoli recipes.

Broccoli and cheddar frittata with pesto and peas

This broccoli cheese frittata recipe is an easy mid-week meal and is packed with vegetables and flavour from herby pesto. Got some left over? It's the perfect addition to little (and big) ones' lunchboxes.

Frittata recipe See broccoli in store

Sausage and broccoli pizzas

Our sourdough pizza dough is a handy shortcut for your family's pizza night. In this crowd-pleasing sausage and broccoli pizza recipe, we’ve transformed budget-friendly family staples – like Italian chopped tomatoes, outdoor-bred British pork sausages, M&S Select Farms broccoli and cottage cheese – into a tasty topping.

See the pizza recipe

Sweet and sticky broccoli and red pepper stir-fry traybake

Big on flavour but light on cost, this sweet and sticky broccoli and pepper stir-fry traybake recipe is a fuss-free way to enjoy your favourite stir-fry flavours. Roasted veg gets tossed in a glossy soy, honey and sesame glaze, then served with fluffy rice and a fresh spring onion finish. It’s vibrant, budget-friendly and ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for a speedy midweek dinner.

Try the traybake recipe

More tips for cooking on a budget with M&S Food

Discover new ways to save in the Foodhall from our Remarksable Value range to Bigger Pack, Better Value. We have plenty of ideas for using up thrifty ingredients like tinned tuna or packs of mince. See our tips for cooking on a budget to cut down on waste without compromising on flavour.

More budget ideas

Published 22/01/2026