Broccoli with Garlic Sauce and Bacon Recipe
This Broccoli with Garlic Sauce & Bacon recipe is a delightful blend of crunchy broccoli florets and crispy bacon, all coated in a savory garlic sauce. Perfect as a quick and flavorful side dish, it combines the freshness of vegetables with the rich taste of smoky bacon and aromatic garlic, making it a versatile addition to any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 broccoli (cut into small pieces)
Meat
- 2 strips bacon (cut into small pieces, adjust quantity to your liking)
Sauce & Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water
- Pinch of salt (for boiling water)
- Splash of olive oil (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Boiling Broccoli: Add a pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil to boiling water. Boil the broccoli for approximately 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp, then drain thoroughly to prevent watery sauce.
- Frying Bacon: Heat oil in a frying pan and toss in the bacon pieces. Cook until they become crisp and golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Preparing Garlic Sauce: In the same pan with the remaining oil, add the finely chopped garlic and fry until golden brown and fragrant. Meanwhile, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and water in a bowl, stirring well. Pour this sauce mixture into the pan with the garlic and stir continuously for about 10 seconds until it thickens.
- Combining Ingredients: Add the drained broccoli into the pan, tossing thoroughly to coat the florets evenly with the garlic sauce. Then add the crispy bacon pieces and give everything a final toss. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chop broccoli into smaller pieces to reduce cooking time and allow the sauce to coat better.
- Finely chop garlic to maximize flavor in the sauce; consider batch cooking fried garlic for convenience.
- Use smoky bacon for a complementary flavor or prosciutto for a richer taste (note prosciutto is pricier).
- Do not fry bacon and garlic together as bacon releases water which can affect texture.
- Oyster sauce acts as a modern MSG substitute; if unavailable, replace with an equal amount of soy sauce.
- Stir cornstarch sauce mixture well before adding to pan to avoid lumps and ensure proper thickening.
- Adjust soy sauce amount depending on saltiness of bacon to prevent overly salty outcomes.
- Drain broccoli well after boiling to avoid watery sauce.
- Add chili flakes for heat or a touch of sugar to balance flavors if desired.
Keywords: Broccoli with garlic sauce, broccoli bacon recipe, Chinese side dish, garlic bacon broccoli, quick vegetable side, stir-fry broccoli with bacon
