How to Cut Broccoli Florets

Using a large chef’s knife, cut off the broccoli floret right where its stem meets the larger stalk. This leaves the stem long (instead of making stubby florets). See the photos above. Caveat: If you’re cutting very small broccoli pieces like for broccoli soup or if you’d like less of a stem for a veggie tray, you can cut the stem shorter.

Separate any very large florets: cut the base of the stem of any large florets in half, then pull the floret apart with your fingers. Try to make the florets as similar in size as possible, which results in the most even cooking (it doesn’t have to be perfect!).

If you’d like, you can eat the stalk too! Slice of the irregular outer skin on all 4 sides to make a large rectangle. Then cut the rectangle into long matchsticks.