Best Roasted Broccoli Recipe - A Beautiful Plate (2024)

Roasted broccoli tossed with sliced toasted almonds, red pepper flakes, garlic, lemon juice, and aged pecorino cheese.

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You guys. This roasted broccoli recipe. It is absurdly addictive! Quite possibly the best roasted broccoli you’ll ever make. Braceyourselves. I can easily consume a pound or two of broccoli in one sitting when it is prepared this way. Alarming, but true.

You allknow how much I lovemy vegetables. I can’t go without them,butthis is quite possibly the most tasty vegetable side dish on this blog.

These charred green beans and these fingerling potatoescome in at a close second. Oh, and these roasted sprouts and squash. Gah, don’t make me choose!

If it helps, Connor is equally as obsessed with this broccoli (it is one of his favorite things that I make) and it has gotten rave reviews from lots of family members and friends.

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Roasted Broccoli: Why You’ll Love It

If you’ve never roasted broccoli, you are missing out on the tastiest way to prepare it!

If you’ve hated broccoli up to this point(confession: I never experienced this phase of life), give this recipe and method a try. I have an inkling thatyou’ll become a broccoliconvert quite quickly.

It goes without saying thatmany vegetables taste better once caramelized and roasted in the oven. This isn’t ground breaking news, but broccoli is one of my all-time favorites.

Even more so than asparagus, carrots, and the other usual favorites. The broccoli florets get crispy and caramelized, and the normally flavorless stalkstransform into addictive bites of heaven. I mean, really, you could stop right there.

Once the roasted broccoli is mixed with toasted sliced almonds, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, and aged pecorino cheese – ugh,so good.

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So, here’s the deal. I actually posted a version of this roasted broccoli recipe along time ago, but I’ve adjusted and improved the recipe andfelt it deserved new life!

New and improvedrecipe, new pictures, all good things. Most often, I like to move forward and share new recipes, but sometimes the old ones need some love and attention, you know?

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My new favorite way to prepare this dish is to slice the broccoli into ‘steaks’.

It gives the dish a better presentation, and the flat sides of the broccoli steaks allow the piecesto more evenly caramelize on the sheet pan.

To make things easier, the raw sliced almonds are added to the sheet pan halfway through cooking. This makes things really easy, and eliminates the need to toast them separately in a skillet.

Tips for Making The Best Roasted Broccoli:

If you’re having difficulty slicing the broccoliinto ‘steaks’- medium florets will also work.

Just make sure your broccoli pieces are consistent in size (if the pieces vary in size, they will cook unevenly) and they are spread into an even, thin layer.

Ideally when roasting, you want the vegetablesnot to touch each other on the sheet pan. Crowding will result in uneven cooking, less caramelization, and longer cook times.

Many home ovens have not been calibrated recently and can be off by as much as 50 degrees in temperature! I highly recommend investing in a cheap oven thermometer(affiliate link).

Why is my broccoli roasting too quickly?

If your oven runs hot, I recommend reducing the oven temperature byat least25 degrees and vice versa. The high roasting temperature, included below, produces extra crispy florets and extra caremelization (aka. flavor!).

It goes without being said that this recipe serves3 to 4 people (in ‘normal’ world), but don’t be surprised if you find yourself consumingall of it in one sitting! It isthatgood. Just read the reader reviews below if you don’t believe me!

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The Best Roasted Broccoli Recipe

4.7 stars (316 ratings)

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Yield: 3 - 4 Servings

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Roasted broccoli tossed with sliced toasted almonds, red pepper flakes, garlic, lemon juice, and aged pecorino cheese. You won’t be able to stop eating this delicious broccoli side dish! Vegetarian and naturally gluten free.

Ingredients

  • lbs broccoli crowns roughly 2 heads
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves finely grated with a microplane or pressed
  • large pinch dried red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons raw sliced almonds, with or without skin
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2-3 tablespoons freshly grated aged pecorino cheese
  • zest of half a lemon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C) with a rack in the center postion. Oven TemperatureNote: I use a separate oven thermometer to ensure that my oven is calibrated properly.The high temperature ensures even and deep caramelization (and extra crispy, flavorful florets!).If your oven runs hot (you can check this by using an oven thermometer)or you prefer less crispy florets, reduce the oventemperature to 425°F-450°F (220°C-232°C) and adjust the cooking time as necessary.

  • Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.Trim any dry, tough ends of the broccoli crowns, leaving roughly 2-inches of stalk attached.Slice the broccoli into ½-inch-thick steaks, starting in the center of each broccoli crown and working out to the edges, reserving any small or medium florets that fall off for roasting. Slice any large remaining florets in half lengthwise. Note: If you’re having difficulty slicing the broccoliinto ‘steaks’- medium florets will also work, but you will most likely need to reduce the temperature and roasting time to ensure that they do not burn. Try to make your broccoli pieces consistent in size, as this will help them roast evenly.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, grated or pressed garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes.Add thebroccoli steaks and toss gently until evenly coated. Arrange the broccoli, cut-side down, on the lined sheet pan, setting them apart slightly. Sprinkle with salt.

  • Roast the broccoli for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, flip the broccoli, and sprinkle the almond slices evenly across the sheet pan. Roast for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is evenly caramelized and fork tender, and the almond slices are toasted and golden.

  • Transfer the broccoli to a platter, toss gently with the lemon juice and top with the grated pecorino cheese. Garnish with fresh lemon zest. Serve hot or at room temperature (it also tastes great cold). Leftover broccoli can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Video

Tips for Success:

  • If you’re having difficulty slicing the broccoliinto ‘steaks’- medium florets will also work, but you may need to reduce the oven temperature and roasting time to ensure that they do not burn. Make sure your broccoli pieces are consistent in size (if the pieces vary in size, they will cook unevenly) and they are spread into an even, thin layer. Ideally when roasting, you want the vegetablesnotto touch each other on the sheet pan. Crowding will result in uneven cooking, less caramelization, and longer cook times.
  • Many home ovens have not been calibrated recently and can be off by as much as 50 degrees in temperature! I highly recommend investing in acheap oven thermometer. If your oven runs hot, I recommend reducing the oven temperature byat least 25 degrees and vice versa, and watching it carefully. The high roasting temperature, included below, produces extra crispy florets and extra caremelization (aka. flavor!).

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 182kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 307mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g

Author: Laura / A Beautiful Plate

Course: Vegetable Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Note to Readers:Thisbroccoli recipe was originally published as ‘crack broccoli’ in 2015. It was updated and re-named in 2018. The use of slang was in poor taste and is not a reflection of my values or this site. I sincerely apologize to any readers or visitors that were hurt or offended, and am appreciative of yourcritical feedback. Thank you for listening!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my privacy policy for more information.

Best Roasted Broccoli Recipe - A Beautiful Plate (2024)

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.

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.

Which cooking technique gives the best results when cooking 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.

Is it better to roast or steam broccoli? ›

In this regards, it is likely that broccoli cooked by steaming will be better fit for human consumption than other cooking methods. In conclusion, the current study clearly shows that nutrient and health-promoting compounds in broccoli are significantly affected by domestic cooking.

Why is my roasted broccoli soggy? ›

tips for making the best Roasted Broccoli

DRY DRY DRY your broccoli! Obviously you have to wash the broccoli first, but the problem is that broccoli really tends to hold water in all of those little florets. However, the drier the broccoli, the crispier it will get when you roast it; wet broccoli steams.

Why does my roasted broccoli taste bitter? ›

What causes broccoli to be bitter? Overcooking broccoli releases sulpher compounds. Take a hint form chinese cooking with a wok. Rapid and high heat produces a crisp and bright green presentation.

What do you soak broccoli in before cooking? ›

Fill a large bowl with 2 ⅔ cups cold or warm water and ⅓ cup white vinegar. Allow it to soak for 2 minutes, then dump the broccoli into a colander. Rinse the vinegar-treated broccoli very well under running water.

Why do you soak broccoli in water? ›

The natural nooks and crevices in broccoli and cauliflower are the perfect hiding spot for dirt, germs and even little bugs. Get your cruciferous veggies squeaky clean by filling a sink with cold water and then soaking them for a few minutes.

Does roasting broccoli make it less healthy? ›

Answer: No, you don't need to forgo roasted veggies because of high heat. The fact is that all forms of cooking can destroy some of the nutrients (such as vitamin C and B vitamins) in vegetables.

How do restaurants make broccoli taste so good? ›

How do restaurants make broccoli taste so good? As with everything made by chefs, they have unexpected (read: unhealthy) additions to their meals — mostly butter, oil and heaps of salt. An excellent tip for the perfect broccoli is the blanching step.

Why does roasted broccoli taste so good? ›

Oven-roasted broccoli is so tasty. All it needs are olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a hot oven! It's the perfect weeknight side dish because it's so easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes. Roasting vegetables caramelizes them and makes them extra flavorful.

What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli? ›

Cooking (Or Not Cooking) Broccoli To Protect Its Nutritional Riches : The Salt Cooking broccoli too long destroys the beneficial enzyme that breaks down chemicals into cancer fighters. The best way to eat it is raw or steamed for just two to three minutes, a nutrition expert says.

Is it OK to roast vegetables with olive oil? ›

Don't Skimp on the olive oil!

Toss your veggies with a good-tasting extra virgin oil. Use enough of the oil to coat the vegetables well and give them a glossy look, but don't use too much that you end up with excess oil in the bottom of your bowl. I would say somewhere around 2 tablespoons.

Why add milk to water when cooking broccoli? ›

It is also slightly sweetened, which will make the broccoli retain their green color. In the middle of the cooking water may be added to the milk to aid in preventing leaching of calcium from bones by the microelements contained in broccoli.

Can you eat broccoli everyday? ›

Regularly incorporating broccoli into your daily diet can contribute to stronger bones and potentially lower the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis. Broccoli can be a beneficial inclusion in the diet of those seeking to manage their weight.

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 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.

Why does my broccoli always burn? ›

To help prevent over-browning or burning, make sure your broccoli is cut into roughly the same size pieces. You'll also want to make sure the florets are on the small side so they cook all the way through before the edges of the broccoli brown too much.

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