Roasted Broccolini Recipe - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Roasted Broccolini Recipe - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Roasted Broccolini Recipe
  • How To Cook Broccolini
  • Other Ways To Cook Broccolini
  • Common Questions
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Roasted Broccolini
  • More Roasted Vegetable Recipes
  • Tools For This Recipe
  • Roasted Broccolini Recipe

This roasted broccolini recipe (sometimes called baby broccoli) is one of those side dishes you get at restaurants and get impressed because it looks all fancy — but in reality, learning how to cook broccolini is actually the simplest thing ever. It’s really not much different from any other type of roasted vegetables. In fact, it’s the same method I use for roasting broccoli!

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Broccolini Recipe

  • Sweet and tender stalks
  • Just 2 ingredients, plus salt and pepper
  • On the table in less than 20 minutes
  • Packed with nutrients
  • Easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions
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Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for oven roasted broccolini, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Broccolini– This veggie is in season year round, but its peak season is from October to April. Look for vibrant green stalks with small, tight florets. Trim 1-2 inches from the stems. If pieces are large or uneven in size, slice lengthwise down the stalk. Consistent thickness ensures that they will cook at a similar rate.
  • Olive Oil – This adds flavor, promotes browning, and helps the seasonings stick. You can also use avocado oil or any heat-safe oil for cooking broccolini.
  • Seasoning – I used simply salt and pepper. You can also experiment with garlic powder, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or grated Parmesan cheese.

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VARIATION: Add garlic.

If you want roasted garlic broccolini, you can use the same method I use for my garlic green beans. Roast the broccolini on its own first until it’s close to done, then add sliced or minced garlic in the last few minutes. This avoids burning it. Another option is to simply sprinkle the broccolini with garlic powder before baking.

How To Cook Broccolini

This section shows how to make roasted broccolini, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Season. Arrange the veggies in a single layer on a baking sheet. (You can line it with foil if desired.) Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Move the pieces around together to coat better, then spread in a single layer again.
  2. Bake. Roast broccolini until tender and florets are crispy.

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TIP: Don’t overcrowd the pan.

This can cause the broccolini to steam instead of roast, making it more mushy than crispy. Make sure each piece is touching the pan.

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Other Ways To Cook Broccolini

I think roasting is the best way to cook broccolini because it’s so simple and hands off, but you can also cook it using other methods. All these broccolini recipes are easy to make:

  • Sauteed broccolini – Add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet, then add broccolini. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until tender and slightly crispy on the edges.
  • Air fryer broccolini – Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F. Toss the stalks with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and slightly crispy.
  • Grilled broccolini – Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place directly on the grill grates and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until tender and slightly charred.

Common Questions

  • What is broccolini? Broccolini is a green vegetable that’s a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (gai lan). It has small florets and long, thin stalks. “Brocolini” in Italian means “baby broccoli”, which is why it sometimes gets that name.
  • Broccolini vs. broccoli: What’s the difference? Broccolini is similar to broccoli but has smaller florets and thinner stalks. It also has a sweeter and milder taste, while regular broccoli has larger florets and a more robust flavor.
  • Broccoli rabe vs. broccolini: What’s the difference? Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, is more closely related to turnips than broccoli, with bitter leaves and small florets. On the other hand, broccolini is less leafy with florets that more closely resemble broccoli.
  • How long to roast broccolini? Roast broccolini for about14-18 minutes, until the stalks are tender and florets are crispy.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftover roasted broccolini in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Reheat: Simply pop it in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or quickly sauté it in a hot pan with a touch of oil until warm.
  • Freeze: Blanch broccolini in boiling water for a minute to maintain its flavor and texture when freezing. Shock in ice water, then dry and freeze in zip lock bags for up to 3 months. When ready to roast, toss with olive oil and roast, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
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What To Serve With Roasted Broccolini

Like roasted asparagus, roasted broccolini recipes make a perfect side for any protein! Here are a few ideas:

  • Chicken – Roast broccolini alongside chicken legs, juicy lemon garlic chicken, some spicy Cajun chicken, or one of my other chicken recipesinstead.
  • Steak – If you want a classic steakhouse meal meal, pair this side with a tender filet mignon with mashed cauliflower or mashed potatoes. You can also make a roasted beef tenderloin or tomahawk steak for a special occasion, or a quick and easy sirloin steak for weeknights.
  • Pork – Serve roasted broccolini alongside smothered pork chops or a pork sirloin roast.
  • Fish – Pair this side dish with your choice of baked haddock (pictured above), pan seared halibut, or flavorful pesto salmon for a healthy, elegant meal.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

If you like this easy roasted broccolini recipe, here are some other roasted veggie recipes to try:

  • Baking Sheet– One trick to the best roasted broccolini recipe? Not crowding your pans! Use an XL sheet pan or split up the broccolini into two pans.

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Recipe Card

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5 from 13 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Roasted Broccolini Recipe

Learn how to cook broccolini like a restaurant, in just 20 minutes! This roasted broccolini recipe is an easy side for steak, fish, or chicken.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 14 minutes

Total: 19 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil, if desired.

  2. Trim 1-2 inches from the stems of the broccolini. If some pieces are extra large, slice lengthwise down the stalk, so that they are all similar in thickness.

  3. Arrange the broccolini in a single layer on the pan. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Move the pieces around together to coat better, then spread in a single layer again. (Don’t overcrowd the pan.)

  4. Roast broccolini for 14-18 minutes, until the stalks are tender and florets are crispy.

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  • Bok Choy Recipe

  • Sauteed Broccoli

  • Cauliflower Soup

  • Roasted Frozen Brussels Sprouts

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2-3 thin stalks (or halved thicker ones), or 1/6 entire recipe

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories91

Fat6.8g

Protein2.7g

Total Carbs5.4g

Net Carbs4.5g

Fiber0.9g

Sugar1.8g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Keywords:broccolini recipe, how to cook broccolini, roasted broccolini

Calories: 91 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

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FAQs

How do you stop broccoli from burning when roasting? ›

The tender, fuzzy “tree” tips of roasted broccoli florets are the most delicious, but they are also quick to burn. Make sure the florets are well-coated with olive oil to keep this from happening. Don't Crowd the Pan. If the florets are too close, they will steam instead of roast.

How long to roast broccoli at 350 reddit? ›

Fast and easy way to get to roasty-toasty broccoli without being raw or dry. Toss it in a mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic (the jarred kind in water is best), and a bit of lemon juice. Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast in the oven, 25 minutes or so at 350.

Is broccolini easier to digest than broccoli? ›

This means you can more easily eat broccolini stems than broccoli stems, which are much tougher and could be more difficult to eat and digest raw. Plus, you don't need to peel broccolini stems before preparing them. The texture of broccolini is more like that of asparagus than broccoli.

Do you eat the stems of broccolini? ›

The best way to experience the health benefits of broccolini is to eat it raw. The stems, leaves, and florets are all edible. You can also choose to steam your broccolini and serve it as a side to complete a tasty, nutritious meal.

Should broccoli be washed before roasting? ›

Wash AND dry your veggies.

After you wash your head of broccoli, make sure to dry it off before you toss it with the oil. A little moisture is ok, but if it's too wet when it goes in the oven, it won't get brown and crisp.

Why does my roasted broccoli taste bitter? ›

Some broccoli varieties are more bitter than others and bolt quicker, choose heat tolerant varieties or quick maturing varieties. Even if the head is small, pick your broccoli when the florets are tight, close together and bright green.

Which cooking method is best for broccoli? ›

Steaming broccoli is quick and easy, and it's considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare the vegetable. Instead of submerging the florets and stem into boiling water or roasting them in the oven, the broccoli is placed in a steamer basket over simmering water and covered with a lid.

Does roasting broccoli make it less healthy? ›

In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking. All cooking treatments, except steaming, caused great losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C.

At what temperature do you roast vegetables? ›

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

Can you eat too much broccolini? ›

As broccoli is rich in Potassium that causes lowering of blood pressure, an excess consumption can result in hypotension. An excess broccoli consumption can also increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Patient on blood thinners can have increased risk of bleeding due to the presence of Vitamin K in broccoli.

Why is broccolini so expensive? ›

Because of its newness and because it provides less quantity in a stalk, broccolini is typically more expensive than broccoli. Substitutes for broccolini are traditional broccoli, Chinese broccoli, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, and asparagus (because broccolini's sweeter flavor is similar to asparagus' sweeter notes).

Is broccolini anti inflammatory? ›

Broccoli and broccolini are nutritionally powerful foods due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification properties, and they also contribute toward cancer prevention, digestive and cardiovascular support, skin and eye health, and vitamin D support (due to an unusually strong combination of both vitamin ...

What is the Chinese name for broccolini? ›

Broccolini is actually a cross-breed of broccoli and Chinese broccoli, a leafy vegetable commonly referred to as gai lan in Cantonese or jie lan in Mandarin.

What's healthier broccoli or broccolini? ›

The verdict. Broccolini – by a hair's breadth! Nutritionally, the two brassicas are very similar. But the excellent vitamin A content of broccolini, together with the fact that it needs less prep and there's no waste, gives it the edge over broccoli for us.

What is baby broccoli called? ›

Broccolini, Aspabroc, baby broccoli or tenderstem broccoli, is a green vegetable similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks. It is a hybrid of broccoli and gai lan (which is sometimes referred to as "Chinese kale" or "Chinese broccoli"), both cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea.

How do you keep roasted vegetables from burning? ›

The sweet spot is between 400°F and 425°F. Go any higher, and the outside of your veggies will start to burn before the inside has a chance to cook through. Any lower? They'll still cook through (eventually), but the oven won't be hot enough to get your veggies golden, crispy, and caramelized.

Why do my roasted vegetables always burn? ›

Swich tip: the smaller the vegetable pieces, the higher the oven temperature needs to be. This may sound counter-intuitive. But here's why: smaller vegetables take less time to cook throughout. On the other hand, harder and bigger vegetables are better cooked at 350-400 to prevent the vegetables from burning.

Why does my broccoli always burn? ›

However, if cooked for too long, the water can evaporate and the broccoli can become dry enough to catch fire. Leaving the stem on - The thick stem of broccoli has less moisture than the florets. If left on while microwaving, the stem can heat up more quickly and reach a temperature where combustion occurs.

Why do my vegetables burn in the oven? ›

Maybe your oven heat is too high and your vegetables are burning before they are fully cooked through. In this case, reduce the temperature of your oven by 25-50 degrees and see if that helps. It's also possible that you may need a bit more oil on your veggies.

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