Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Bacon Recipe
A flavorful Asian-inspired side dish featuring tender broccoli florets coated in a savory garlic sauce and topped with crispy smoky bacon bits. This quick and easy recipe combines boiling and pan-frying techniques to create a perfect balance of textures and flavors that pairs excellently with various proteins like chicken, pork belly, or tofu.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
- Diet: Diabetic, Low Calorie
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 broccoli (cut into small pieces)
- 2 strips of bacon (cut into small pieces, adjust quantity to your liking)
- 3 tablespoons oil (for frying and sautéing)
- 4–5 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
- Boiling Broccoli: Add a pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil to a pot of boiling water. Boil the chopped broccoli for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain thoroughly to prevent excess water in the sauce.
- Frying Bacon: In a frying pan, heat oil and add the bacon pieces. Cook over medium heat until they become crisp and golden brown. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Preparing Garlic Sauce: Add the finely chopped garlic to the remaining oil in the pan. Fry the garlic gently until it turns golden brown to maximize its flavor. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Pour this sauce mixture into the frying pan and stir continuously for about 10 seconds, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the pan evenly.
- Adding Broccoli and Bacon: Return the drained broccoli to the frying pan and toss well to coat it thoroughly with the garlic sauce. Add the cooked bacon pieces back into the pan, mixing everything together. Once combined and heated through, remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chop broccoli into smaller pieces to reduce cooking time and ensure better sauce coating.
- Finely chop garlic to enhance the garlic flavor in the sauce. You can batch cook fried garlic for convenience.
- Use smoky bacon for best flavor. Prosciutto is a more expensive alternative with a different taste.
- Avoid frying bacon and garlic together as bacon releases water which can affect frying quality.
- Oyster sauce acts as a modern substitute for MSG; if unavailable, substitute with equal soy sauce.
- Stir sauce mixture well before adding it to the pan to prevent lumps.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity if using more bacon to avoid excessive saltiness.
- Ensure broccoli is well drained after boiling to prevent watery sauce.
- Optional: Add chili flakes for heat or a touch of sugar for sweetness to enhance flavor.
Keywords: broccoli with garlic sauce, Asian broccoli recipe, Chinese broccoli, bacon and broccoli stir fry, garlic broccoli, easy side dish, low calorie vegetable recipe
