Applebee's Broccoli Recipe (Homestyle Cheezy Broccoli Copycat)

If you’ve ever ordered the Applebee’s Homestyle Cheezy Broccoli as a side dish and thought, “I need to make this at home,” you’re in exactly the right place. This copycat Applebee’s broccoli recipe replicates the tender-crisp texture, savory garlic seasoning, and rich cheddar cheese sauce that makes this a crowd-favorite side at Applebee’s Grill + Bar locations nationwide.

Whether you’re searching for the exact Applebees broccoli seasoning recipe, trying to figure out if Applebee’s broccoli is steamed, or curious about calories — this complete guide covers it all. Let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

What Is Applebee’s Homestyle Cheezy Broccoli?

Applebee’s Homestyle Cheezy Broccoli is a signature side dish served at Applebee’s Grill + Bar restaurants. It features fresh broccoli florets that are steamed to tender-crisp perfection, then bathed in a smooth cheddar cheese sauce made with real cheese, butter, milk, and a blend of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

The dish is priced at around $3.99 per order, making it one of the most affordable and satisfying sides on the menu. It’s available at Applebee’s locations everywhere — from Applebee’s Bronx and Applebee’s Flatbush in New York to Applebee’s Brockton in Massachusetts and Applebee’s Margate in Florida.

Note: If you’ve been wondering whether Applebee’s got rid of broccoli from the menu — don’t worry. As of early 2026, Homestyle Cheezy Broccoli is still a listed side on the Applebee’s menu. There was a temporary Applebee’s broccoli recall situation at some locations related to a supplier quality issue, but it was resolved quickly.

Applebee’s Broccoli Recipe — Full Ingredients List

Here is everything you need to make this at home. All of these are standard grocery store items:

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Fresh broccoli florets	6 cups (~2 heads)	Cut uniform, bite-sized
Unsalted butter	2 tbsp	Real butter — no substitutes
Minced garlic	2 cloves	Fresh preferred
Sea salt	½ tsp	Adjust to taste
Black pepper	1 tsp	Freshly cracked
Sharp cheddar, shredded	1½ cups	Or cheddar + Gruyère blend
Whole milk	1 cup	Heavy cream for richer sauce
All-purpose flour	2 tbsp	Creates the roux
Garlic powder	½ tsp	Deepens savory flavor
Cornstarch	1 tsp	Optional — for extra thickness
Nutmeg	Pinch	Secret touch like the restaurant

Tip: For the most authentic Applebee’s broccoli and cheese recipe flavor, use sharp cheddar — not mild — and always use real butter. The combination of garlic powder + salt + black pepper is what defines the bar and grill seasoning profile you taste at the restaurant.

How to Make Applebee’s Cheesy Broccoli — Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Prep the Broccoli

Rinse broccoli heads under cold running water. Cut into uniform, bite-sized florets. Consistent sizing is important — it ensures every piece cooks at the same rate, which is how you get that signature tender-crisp texture.

Step 2 — Blanch to Lock in Color and Crunch

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
Add broccoli florets and blanch for exactly 60 seconds.
Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
Drain and pat completely dry with a paper towel.

Is Applebee’s broccoli steamed? Yes — the restaurant uses a steam or blanch method to keep the broccoli vibrant green and perfectly textured. Avoid boiling for more than 90 seconds or the florets become mushy.

Step 3 — Build the Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add flour and whisk continuously for 1 full minute to form a golden roux.
Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
Let the mixture cook and thicken over medium heat — about 3 to 4 minutes.
Season with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and a small pinch of nutmeg.
Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar in small handfuls, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
Add cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbsp cold water if you prefer a thicker sauce.

Step 4 — Combine, Finish, and Serve

Transfer the dry broccoli to a serving dish. Pour the cheese sauce generously over the florets. For a restaurant-style finish, place the dish under a broiler at 375°F for 5–7 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and lightly golden on top. Serve immediately.

What Seasoning Is on Applebee’s Broccoli?

This is one of the most-asked questions about this dish. The Applebees broccoli seasoning is straightforward but spot-on:

Garlic powder — the dominant savory note
Sea salt — brings everything together
Black pepper — freshly cracked for best results
Butter — coats the broccoli and carries the seasoning
Nutmeg (pinch) — a secret touch used in the cheese sauce

applebees homestyle cheezy broccoli served with creamy cheddar cheese sauce — Tender steamed broccoli topped with rich cheddar cheese sauce served Applebee’s style.

This is a classic bar and grill seasoning profile — simple, savory, not overpowering. It’s the same approach used across most American casual dining restaurants: let the vegetable’s natural flavor shine and support it with fat and aromatics rather than masking it.

Applebee’s Broccoli Recipe Variations

The classic cheesy version is the most popular, but here are the main ways to adapt this recipe depending on what you’re going for:

Version	Key Difference	Best Paired With
Classic Cheesy Broccoli	Cheddar cheese sauce, garlic powder	Grilled steak or chicken
Garlic Butter (Lighter)	No cheese sauce — just garlic butter + lemon	Fish, seafood, pasta
Bar & Grill Style	+ Smoked paprika + cayenne + onion powder	Burgers, BBQ ribs
Broccoli Cheddar Soup	Double milk, add onion & carrot, blend partly	Crusty bread, crackers
Crispy Panko Top	Panko + Parmesan + butter broiled on top	Baked chicken, holiday meals

Applebee’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

To turn this into a full broccoli cheddar soup, double the milk, add one diced onion and one diced carrot to the roux stage, simmer for 15 minutes, then partially blend. Finish with an extra cup of sharp cheddar. Serve in a bread bowl for a complete meal.

Applebee’s Broccoli Calories and Nutrition Facts

One of the reasons this dish is so popular is that it’s genuinely one of the healthier side options on the Applebee’s menu. Here’s the full nutrition breakdown:

Nutrient	Per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	180 kcal	—
Total Fat	14 g	18%
Saturated Fat	8 g	40%
Carbohydrates	10 g	4%
Protein	7 g	14%
Fiber	3 g	11%
Vitamin C	~90 mg	100%
Calcium	200 mg	20%
Sodium	~480 mg	21%

Applebee’s broccoli calories come in at around 180 kcal per serving — far less than most other sides like fries (~400 cal) or coleslaw (~260 cal). Broccoli is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables in existence: high in Vitamin C, fiber, folate, and antioxidants. The cheese sauce adds fat and some sodium, but it also contributes calcium and protein.

For a lighter version: ask for sauce on the side, or make the garlic butter version at home without the cheese sauce for a dish around 90 calories per serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What seasoning is on Applebee’s broccoli?

Garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, butter — with a hint of nutmeg in the cheese sauce. Simple but very effective.

Is Applebee’s broccoli steamed?

Yes. Florets are steamed to tender-crisp, then coated with cheddar cheese sauce or garlic-infused butter before serving.

How to make restaurant broccoli?

Blanch or steam briefly, toss in garlic butter or a quick roux-based cheddar sauce, season well, and serve immediately.

Is Applebee’s broccoli healthy?

Yes — at ~180 cal per serving with 100% DV Vitamin C and 3g fiber, it’s one of the lighter sides on the Applebee’s menu.

Pro Tips to Nail This Recipe Every Time

Always use fresh broccoli — frozen florets release too much water and turn soggy after blanching.
Don’t skip the ice bath — this is the step that keeps broccoli vibrantly green and perfectly crisp.
Dry the florets thoroughly before adding sauce — moisture prevents the sauce from sticking.
Use sharp cheddar, not mild — the flavor is deeper and more complex, which is closer to the restaurant version.
Whisk your roux constantly — this prevents lumps and gives you a silky, restaurant-quality sauce.
Add cheese off the heat — turn off the burner before stirring in shredded cheese to prevent a grainy texture.
Serve immediately — the dish is best right out of the pan while the sauce is still warm and flowing.

What to Serve With Applebee’s Broccoli

This side dish pairs with almost anything. The best pairings at home:

Grilled steak or pork chops — the rich cheesy broccoli is a natural match for seared meats.
Blackened chicken — the spice of the chicken contrasts with the creamy, mild sauce.
Pasta — toss leftover cheesy broccoli into any pasta for a quick meal.
Burgers and grilled sandwiches — a natural pairing for any bar and grill menu.
Baked salmon — lighter protein that lets the broccoli shine as the comfort element.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. For reheating, a skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of milk works best — it revives the sauce without breaking it. Avoid the microwave if possible; it softens the broccoli and makes the cheese sauce oily.

Pro tip: Store the cheese sauce separately from the broccoli if you’re meal-prepping. Steam fresh broccoli and pour reheated sauce over it for the best texture each time.

More Restaurant Copycat Recipes on Sistafood

If you enjoyed this Applebee’s broccoli recipe, these other copycat recipes from the blog are worth exploring:

Yard House Mac and Cheese Recipe — Restaurant-Style Creamy Pasta at Home

Barefoot Contessa Chicken Divan Recipe — Classic American Comfort Food

Mazzio’s Ranch Recipe — The Dipping Sauce You’ll Put on Everything

Don Pepino Pizza Sauce — The Secret Behind Better Homemade Pizza

City Barbeque Corn Pudding Recipe — A Southern Side Dish You’ll Love

How to Make Thousand Island Dressing — Ree Drummond Style

Coconut Sugar Caramel Sauce Recipe — A Rich, Refined-Sugar Alternative

Bavarian Pizza Recipe — A Unique Twist on Classic Pizza Night

Final Thoughts

The Applebee’s broccoli recipe proves that restaurant quality doesn’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. A proper blanch, good quality cheddar, and the right seasoning — garlic powder, salt, black pepper, butter, and a pinch of nutmeg — are all it takes to get the same tender-crisp, cheesy broccoli you’d pay $3.99 for at the restaurant.

Make it tonight. Adjust the cheese sauce to your taste. And if you’re going lighter, the garlic butter version is just as satisfying with a fraction of the calories.

Did this work for you? Drop a comment below and let us know — we love hearing how it turned out!