Spicy Tahini Broccoli and Corn! Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal-prep lunches, it pairs beautifully with grain bowls, roasted proteins, or a fresh citrus salad for a balanced, flavorful meal.
This Spicy Tahini Broccoli and Corn dish delivers tender-crisp broccoli florets, sweet corn, and bright green onions coated in a zesty tahini sauce, amplified by crushed red pepper flakes for a welcoming kick. The combination of creamy tahini with a touch of heat creates a glossy coating that clings to every bite, while the broccoli stays pleasantly crunchy and the corn bursts with sweetness. Quick to prepare and wonderfully versatile, this recipe shines as a satisfying main dish or a vibrant side.
Whole Food Plant Based, Vegan, plant based, oil free, refined sugar free, no highly processed ingredients and gluten free.
Hi there, Ameera here!
Super controversial with unusual flavors, this Spicy Tahini Broccoli and Corn dish has a way of sparking conversation at the table. Those family members who loved it devoured every bite, praising the creamy tahini heat and the crisp-tender broccoli, while others…well, not so much. LOL! Yasmeen and Yara both devoured this dish! Mom licked the bowl, dad was not a fan. He hated it.
You gotta give this one a try anyway, because the bold harmony of nutty tahini, sweet corn, and a peppery zing is exactly the kind of daring dish that keeps weeknights interesting.
Tips for Success:
- Flavor Profile: This Spicy Tahini Broccoli and Corn dish showcases tender crispy broccoli florets, corn, and green onions coated in a tahini sauce made spicy using crushed red pepper flakes. This dish is easy to make and quick. It works well as either a main dish (serving 2) or as a side dish (serving 4).
- Controversial Recipe: This recipe almost didn’t make it to the blog as it was so controversial. Some family members absolutely loved it while others hated it and voiced opinions that they just couldn’t wrap their heads around the flavors. They thought the spiciness and tanginess with the corn and broccoli didn’t quite make sense. The family members who loved it insisted it get posted, but the ones who hated it insisted that we publish a warning that the flavors are somewhat complex, weird, tangy, spicy, and different. If you are brave enough and are a “Rabble Rowzer”, give it a try and let us know. LOL
- Spiciness: You can easily increase or decrease the spiciness by using less or more crushed red pepper flakes to suit your own personal preferences.
- Tanginess: The sauce is tangy from the red wine vinegar. If unsure, use less than the amount listed in the ingredients and build from there. Understand that the dressing has to cover the broccoli, corn, and onions so it may appear tangy, but it will mellow out when coating all the ingredients.
- Broccoli Tenderness: Timing is largely based upon the size of the broccoli florets and personal preference regarding the desired tender/crispness of the broccoli. Boil/steam the broccoli until it has nearly reached the desired tenderness before adding the corn and onions. If there is excess water in the skillet, be sure to remove it before adding the green onions and corn.
- Corn and Onions: The corn and onions are just heated through, approximately one to two minutes.
- Corn: Feel free to us canned, fresh, or frozen corn in this recipe. If using frozen corn, then thaw before adding to the skillet.
- Amount of Sea Salt: Our family was completely divided over the amount of sea salt that was used in this recipe. Some felt it needed additional sea salt seasoning.
- Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
- Table Salt: If using table salt, you should use less table salt than the amount listed in the ingredients as sea salt crystals are larger than table salt crystals. Since table salt crystals are very fine, less table salt is required to season a dish. We would suggest starting with about 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of sea salt listed. You can always add more salt but cannot take it away. We recommend using sea salt as it is less refined than table salt.
Leftovers and Freezing:
Leftovers will generally keep 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator, undressed. Store in a covered air-tight container.
This dish can be frozen. However, the dressing can get watery if frozen. This dish is best when served immediately after making.
Pantry Products:
- Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Kitchen Equipment:
- Skillet with a lid
If you try this unique and tasty dish, we would love to know if you enjoy it as much as we do! Please leave us a review! Post a picture on Facebook or Instagram and tag us! We would love to hear from you.
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Spicy Tahini Broccoli and Corn
- Prep Time: 13 Minutes
- Cook Time: 7 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 Minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Side
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Quick to prepare and wonderfully versatile, this Spicy Tahini Broccoli and Corn shines as a satisfying main dish or a vibrant side.
Ingredients
Skillet Ingredients:
- 10 to 12 oz. broccoli florets, bitesize pieces
- 1 cup water
Other Skillet Ingredients:
- 1 – [ 15.25 oz. can ] corn, drained
- 3 to 5 green onions, thinly sliced
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon tahini
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar (+/-)
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup (+/-)
- 1 Tablespoon water (+/-) *
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ to 1 teaspoon sea salt (+/-) *
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (+/-)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (+/-) *
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add all the Sauce Ingredients and whisk until smooth and emulsified, set aside.
- In a large skillet, add 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, add the broccoli florets, cover the pan, and boil/steam the broccoli florets until tender crisp, approximately 3 to 4 minutes, largely dependent on how large the florets are and how tender you enjoy broccoli.
- Then remove the cover and continue to boil/steam until all the water has been nearly evaporate, approximately 1 minute. If any significant water remains, pour it out.
- Add the corn and green onions to the skillet. Stir to mix, sauté just until heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from the stove.
- Place the broccoli, corn, and green onions on a serving platter or in a bowl, pour the sauce over top and mix thoroughly, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
Please reference the blog post for Tips for Success, Pantry Items Used, Storage and Freezing, and Kitchen Products Used.
Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Servings: 4
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