Broccoli Cheese Bread

Broccoli cheese bread is a delicious side dish to accompany a hearty soup, stew, or chili bowl. It’s also a unique variation on traditional cornbread that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It elevates simple ingredients by adding melty cheese, sweet onions, and earthy broccoli for a savory bread that’s out of this world good.

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Southern Bread 

Here in the Deep South bread is usually served with every meal and cornbread is a Southern favorite. It’s perfect served with soups and chilis in the winter, and with peas and cabbage in the summer. It’s only natural that variations on this classic bread would be a popular side. 

If you want a more traditional cornbread recipe, check out my previous post. It’s delicious! 

Broccoli Cheese Bread 

Broccoli cheese bread is a yummy take on traditional cornbread. My grandmother typically served it with a big pot of potato soup or chili. It also goes great with collards and sausage, turnip greens, and potato soup. Occasionally it was served with a hot pot of chicken and dumplings which is my favorite way to eat it.

I typically make this bread when I have leftover roasted broccoli. However, you can make it using steamed in the bag broccoli if that’s what you have on hand 

This bread is also a great opportunity to use up any cheese in your fridge. I’ve used parmesan cheese and smokey gouda in the place of cheddar in this recipe. 

Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Cheese Bread Recipe

It’s unique. This recipe is different from your typical cornbread recipe. Your family and friends will be pleasantly surprised with this tasty twist. 

It’s a sneaky vegetable. If you’re kids or spouse aren’t fond of vegetables, this is a sneaky way to get some in. My super picky child even approves of this recipe. 

It’s a hearty bread. Typically bread is an empty-calorie side dish, but this bread is very hearty. It’s a delicious and filling bread to accompany your main dish. 

It feeds a crowd. We are a family of six with three growing boys (and one grown one). I need recipes that feed a crowd. The recipe makes enough to satisfy a crowd of 8-10 people. 

The recipe is cheesy. When I have a cheese dish to add to dinner, no one ever complains. This recipe hits the cheesy mark perfectly. 

It pairs perfectly with soups and stews. During the cool months, I enjoy a warm bowl of soup or stew. Crumbling cornbread into a bowl of soup makes it even more comforting and filling. 

What You’ll Need To Make Broccoli Cheese Bread 

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet– You don’t have to make cornbread in a cast iron skillet, but it makes a great crust and helps to keep your cornbread moist. 

Cheese grater– Freshly grated cheese is the best to use in recipes like this. It melts so much better than pre-shredded cheese. 

Check out my must-have homestead kitchen tools here.

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter-melted 
• ¼ coconut oil or Avocado Oil
• ½ onion finely chopped
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 
• 4 eggs- slightly beaten 
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• ½ cup all-purpose flour 
• 2 cups self-rising cornmeal (I love White Lily) 
• 10 ounces steamed chopped broccoli 
• Optional Ingredients: ¼ cup Gruyere Cheese, ¼ cup parmesan cheese on top. 

Directions 

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 400° F.  
2. Slightly coat the bottom of a cast iron skillet with coconut oil, and place it in the oven while it pre-heats. 
3. Finely chop the onion, and shred the cheese. 
4. Steam the broccoli prior to making the bread.
5. Chop the broccoli into small ¼ pieces.
6. Lightly beat the eggs. 
7. In a small bowl combine the melted butter (make sure it’s slightly cooled) beaten eggs, and buttermilk 
8. Whisk together the flour and cornmeal. 
9. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Stir until everything is combined. 
10. Add the cheese, onion, and broccoli to the batter. Stir to combine. Do not over-mix the cornbread. This will be a thick batter unlike traditional cornbread.  
11. Pour the batter into the preheated cast iron skillet.
    Bake in the preheated oven for around 30 minutes until the bread is golden brown. 
12. Serve warm. 

Broccoli Cheese Bread FAQs 

What makes bread made with cornmeal moist? 

Buttermilk helps to make the bread moist. The oil added to the skillet before baking forms a crust on the edge of the bread and helps it retain its moisture. 

Is bread made with cornmeal crumbly? 

Cornmeal does have more of a gritty texture than flour, but the eggs and buttermilk in the bread help to keep the bread from being dry and crumbly. 

Is cornbread batter better if it sits for a while? 

Allow your cornbread batter to sit for 10-20 minutes if possible. It’s great to allow it to sit while the oven pre-heats. This will give the cornmeal time to absorb the liquids and will make more moist bread. 

Can plain cornmeal be used in place of self-rising cornmeal? 

You can add 1 tbsp of baking powder and ¾ tsp of baking soda to 2 cups of plain cornmeal if you don’t have self-rising cornmeal. Mix the baking powder and baking soda with the dry ingredients before adding the wet ingredients. 

Final Thoughts

Broccoli Cheese Bread is so cheesy and delicious you and your family are going to love it. It elevates simple ingredients to make and a unique dish you’re going to love making and serving. 

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it! Thanks for visiting my farm. 

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