Gluten-Free Sesame Broccoli
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
Tender-crisp broccoli florets are tossed in a vibrant, nutty sesame dressing, creating a side dish that's both healthy and incredibly flavorful. This quick recipe offers a delightful balance of savory, slightly sweet, and tangy notes, perfect for any meal.
At a glance: This easy salads and sides recipe yields 4 servings in about 25 minutes (5 min prep, 20 min cook). It uses 8 ingredients — including broccoli florets, sesame oil, rice vinegar — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more salads and sides recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Sesame Broccoli: When preparing this salads and sides recipe, exercise caution with ingredients like tamari or gluten-free tamari, as they can be cross-contaminated with gluten during processing. Always choose products with a clear gluten-free certification and prepare in a clean environment to avoid contact with gluten-containing foods In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Sesame Broccoli: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on naturally GF ingredients like broccoli and rice vinegar. Always ensure your tamari or gluten-free tamari is certified gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp gluten-free tamari or gluten-free tamari
- 0.5 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted (for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the broccoli by washing and cutting it into bite-sized florets. In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes, until they are bright green and tender-crisp, with a slight char in places.
- 2
While the broccoli is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, rice vinegar, gluten-free tamari, honey or maple syrup, salt, and minced garlic until well combined. The dressing should be smooth and fragrant.
- 3
Once the broccoli is cooked to your desired tenderness, remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the prepared sesame dressing over the hot broccoli florets. Toss everything together gently for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring each floret is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- 4
Taste the sesame broccoli and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a pinch more salt or a splash more rice vinegar for brightness. The broccoli should be glossy and coated, with a rich sesame aroma.
- 5
Transfer the dressed sesame broccoli to a serving dish. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds for an added nutty crunch and visual appeal. Serve immediately as a vibrant side dish, allowing the flavors to meld for a few minutes if preferred.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Press or mince garlic rather than slicing for a more pungent flavor; slice for a milder taste.
- Let cooked rice rest, covered and off the heat, for 5–10 minutes for fluffier grains.
- Honey is sweeter than sugar — if substituting, use 3/4 cup honey per 1 cup sugar and reduce liquid by 1/4 cup.
Learn More
Celiac-safe recipe development and testing since 2026
Our team develops and tests every recipe to be 100% gluten-free, verifying ingredients, techniques, and cross-contamination risks. We focus on making gluten-free cooking as delicious and accessible as possible. Learn more about us.
