How to Make Riced Broccoli (With or Without a Food Processor)

Learn how to make riced broccoli using four different methods, including what to use when you don't have a food processor.

If you've ever wanted to try riced broccoli but weren't sure where to start-don't worry, I've got you! Whether you're avoiding extra appliances or just looking for a budget-friendly veggie side, this easy tutorial will walk you through four ways to rice broccoli at home-with or without a food processor.

We're also going to show you how to cook riced broccoli plus all the best tips and tricks!

This is one of the best ways to get more greens in during the week, and it makes a great base for grain-free bowls, stir fries, or meal prep lunches.

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Why You'll Love This

• No food processor? No problem! Four easy methods to choose from. ✅
• A healthy, veggie-packed rice alternative high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and other nutrients too.
• Super versatile-season it your way or use it in tons of dishes.
• It makes an easy low carb side dish that great as a rice or pasta substitute. You can also mix it into recipes to sneak in extra veggies.
• This is a great way to use up broccoli stems after using the crowns for another recipe! (Or feel free to use a mix of stalk and crowns).

What is Riced Broccoli?

Riced broccoli is one of those easy little swaps that makes healthy eating feel doable. It's just broccoli that's been finely chopped into rice-sized bits-kind of like cauliflower rice, but with broccoli stems and florets instead.

You might hear it called "broccoli rice" too-it's the same thing! Since it cooks super fast, I usually make it on its own and stir it into dishes at the end so it doesn't turn mushy. It's a great way to add more fiber and greens to your meals without much fuss.

Ingredients You'll Need

You only need one main ingredient for this recipe:

• 1 lb broccoli - just stems or a mix or stems and crowns, peel the stalks since the outer layer can sometimes be tough
• Optional: oil, salt, pepper, or seasoning for cooking

Equipment (Choose One):

You won't need all of this depending on the method you choose.

• Food Processor - I admit I found this popular brand new in the box at a garage sale one year. It's still going strong 16 years later!
• A High Powered Blender (this is actually a blender/food processor combo)
• Box grater
• Sharp kitchen knife and cutting board

3 Easy Ways to Make Broccoli Rice

Here are the most popular ricing methods-use whatever you have on hand!

Method 1: Food Processor

Ricing broccoli with a food processor will give you a quick and even texture in just 10 seconds. This is my personal favorite method out of the options. It's the fastest and yields the most uniform rice grains.

• Cut broccoli into small 2" pieces.
• Pulse in batches until the pieces resemble rice. You can use either the S blade or the grating/shredding blade.
• Don't over-process-it should be fluffy, not mushy.

We made one batch with broccoli crowns and stems and then a 2nd batch with just the stems.

Method 2: Grater

This method uses a standard cheese grater, which most of us have in our kitchens. No fancy tools required.

• Use a box grater with medium holes and place the grater over a plate or cutting board to collect the grains.
• Carefully grate raw broccoli florets-watch your fingers!
• This method can be a little messy, but it works well.

Method 3: Knife

• Finely chop the broccoli into small, rice-like pieces.
• This option gives you more control since you control the knife, but it takes a lot of patience since it's a slow method.
• Great for when you just need a small batch.

Cut the pieces into about 2-inch size sections to make them easier to mince.

Method 4: High Speed Blender

If you don't have a food processor, a high-powered blender (like a Ninja with stacked blades) can also get the job done. Just keep in mind: not all blenders are built for this. If your blender only has a single blade at the bottom, it might struggle to chop evenly-and could turn your broccoli into mush.

Here's how to do it:

1. Add your broccoli (preferably stems or a mix) in small batches.
2. Pulse for 5 seconds at a time, stopping to scrape down the sides with a spatula.
3. Repeat every 5 seconds until the broccoli is chopped into a rice-like texture-usually 15-20 seconds total.

👉 Avoid blending on high continuously, or you might end up with broccoli soup! Stick with short pulses for the best texture.

How to Cook Riced Broccoli

You can cook riced broccoli a few different ways depending on your meal.

Sautéed

• Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a skillet on medium heat. You can use less if you have a nonstick skillet.
• Add 2 cupz riced broccoli, season with ¼ teaspoon salt and a ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and cook for 3-4 mins, stirring often.

Steamed

• Add to a steamer basket over boiling water for 2-3 minutes.

Microwaved

• Or microwave in a covered bowl with 1-2 teaspoon water for 2-3 minutes.

How to Store & Meal Prep

• Fridge: Store raw or cooked riced broccoli in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze raw broccoli rice flat in zip bags for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before cooking-just toss it straight into a hot skillet.

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Ways to Use Riced Broccoli

• As a low carb side dish instead of rice
• Mixed into stir fries or burrito bowls
• Tossed with scrambled eggs or omelets
• In veggie fritters or patties
• Under your favorite saucy protein (hello, BBQ chicken!)

FAQs

More Broccoli Recipes

• Raw broccoli salad
• Broccoli Cakes
• Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Roasted Broccoli Recipe
• Homemade Cheddar Sauce
• Making Riced Broccoli
• Chicken Casserole with Broccoli
• How to Cook Broccoli in the Microwave

Our post was originally written in 2019 and was fully revised in 2025 with more tips and tricks.

If you loved our recipe, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and leave us a comment too! Connect with us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube!

Recipe

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