Roasted Broccoli - Love and Lemons (2024)

This oven roasted broccoli recipe is easy and versatile. The crisp, golden brown florets are delicious as a side dish or in all sorts of broccoli recipes!

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Roasted Broccoli - Love and Lemons (1)

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Do you have any favorite broccoli recipes? I love it in just about anything – broccoli salad, frittatas, pasta, etc. – but my favorite way to eat broccoli might be the simplest: roasted!

Roasted broccoli is so easy to make, and the florets come out of the oven deliciously golden brown, crisp, and tender. I have a hard time not eating them all straight off the sheet pan, but they’re also a fantastic addition to all sorts of recipes and a yummy side dish on their own.

If you love roasted broccoli as much as I do, read on to find my foolproof method for how to roast it, along with a slew of serving suggestions to make it flavorful, filling, and absolutely irresistible. Happy roasting!

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How to Roast Broccoli

Making perfect roasted broccoli couldn’t be easier! Here’s what you need to do:

  1. First, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. While the oven warms up, break a head of broccoli into evenly sized florets. Spread them on the baking sheet in a single layer.
  3. Toss the broccoli florets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer them to the hot oven and bake for 15 to 22 minutes, until the florets are browned and crisp around the edges.

That’s it! You can also roast lemon halves along with the broccoli. Right when they come out of the oven, squeeze the roasted lemon juice over the florets. Then, finish them with a big sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Easy Roasted Broccoli Recipe Tips

  • 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.
  • Don’t be afraid of the salt. No one loves bland broccoli, so salt yours generously. I sprinkle mine with sea salt before roasting and then add more, to taste, after it comes out of the oven.
  • Cut your florets to a similar size.Similar-sized pieces will cook at a similar rate, so make sure your florets are all about the same size. You don’t want little ones to burn before larger ones become tender!
  • Don’t let things get too crowded! If the florets are too close together on the sheet pan, they will steam in the oven, and they won’t get brown and crisp. Make sure to spread your florets in an even layer with a little space between each one.
  • Don’t toss the stalk! Chop it and roast it right along with the florets, save it to make soup, or pulse it into broccoli rice. Waste not, want not!

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Oven Roasted Broccoli Serving Suggestions

As I said above, my favorite way to serve oven roasted broccoli is with a big squeeze of lemon juice and red pepper flakes. But your options don’t end there! Here are a few more great ways to dress up this simple side dish:

  • Toss it with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
  • Sprinkle it with lemon zestand toss it with a simple lemon vinaigrette.
  • Drizzle it with sesame oil and tamari or soy sauce and sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds.
  • In the final few minutes of baking, sprinkle florets withgrated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic. Bake for 2 more minutes or so, until the broccoli is crisp and the cheese is melted.
  • Top it with Everything Bagel Seasoning for crunch and onion-y, garlicky flavor.
  • Drizzle it with a yummy sauce like cilantro lime dressing,tahini sauce, chipotle sauce, peanut sauce, cashew cream, vegan cheese, or pesto, or serve it with muhamarrafor dipping.

Alternatively, make it a meal on its own! Add it to an easy roasted vegetable pasta, or pile it onto a DIY grain bowl with one of the sauces from above, a grain, and a protein. Here are a few of my favorites:

  • Grains: Farro, couscous, quinoa, or cilantro lime rice (Or substitute another veggie, like spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice, for the grain.)
  • Proteins: Roasted chickpeas, lentils, or baked tofu

What are you favorite roasted broccoli recipes? Let me know in the comments!

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More Roasted Vegetables

Try roasting one of these veggies next!

  • Butternut Squash
  • Acorn Squash
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Red Bell Peppers

Roasted Broccoli

rate this recipe:

4.99 from 163 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Serves 4

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Learn how to roast broccoli perfectly every time! Enjoy it on its own, or try one of the flavorful serving suggestions above.

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Place the broccoli florets on the baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread evenly on the baking sheet.

  • Roast 15 to 22 minutes or until browned around the edges. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, if desired.

Notes

Note: I like to serve roasted broccoli with squeezes of fresh lemon juice.

Roasted Broccoli - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

How do you roast broccoli without it getting soggy? ›

Because wet broccoli heads will steam rather than crisp up, so for the crispiest broccoli, get it as dry as possible before roasting. To dry your broccoli, you can leave it to dry on a towel on the counter for an hour, use a salad spinner, or wrap it in a towel and shake off as much liquid as possible.

Is roasted broccoli just as healthy? ›

Roasted broccoli is a healthy side dish with major crowd appeal. Broccoli contains a lot of good-for-you fiber, vitamin C, and a surprising amount of protein, too. Who knew? If you've been in a rut with side dishes lately, or you're tired of steamed broccoli, you're going to love this simple side.

How do you stop broccoli from burning when roasting? ›

To prevent burnt broccoli, be sure to use an oil with a high smoking point. Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoking point than olive oil which will result in burning. You can use regular olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil. Also, your oven may be too hot.

Should broccoli be washed before roasting? ›

Like other vegetables, broccoli can harbor a host of contaminants. "It's important to wash any vegetables, as they can carry Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria,” registered dietitian Chelsea Edwards tells Southern Living. "Not washing your produce increases the risk of one of these foodborne illnesses."

Why is my roasted broccoli mushy? ›

Don't Crowd the Pan.

If the florets are too close, they will steam instead of roast. If your roasted broccoli comes out mushy, it is likely the pieces were too close together. Give it room for the air to circulate!

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.

Can you eat too much roasted broccoli? ›

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.

Is it OK to eat cooked 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.

Which is better, roasted or steamed 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.

How do you get rid of the smell of roasted broccoli? ›

How to Get Rid of Cooking Smells
  1. Boil lemons. Make a lemon steam to neutralize pungent odors. ...
  2. Leave a bowl of baking soda or vinegar out overnight. ...
  3. Open your windows and range hood. ...
  4. Refresh your sink. ...
  5. Simmer a stovetop potpourri. ...
  6. Try a charcoal filter splatter screen. ...
  7. Invest in an air purifier. ...
  8. Use coffee grounds.
Apr 5, 2024

What is the best cooking method 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 gassy? ›

Raffinose is broken down during cooking, so cooked broccoli doesn't cause as much gas and bloating.

What seasonings are good on broccoli? ›

It's definitely hard to find a spice or herb that doesn't work with broccoli or broccolini. Any combination of garlic, salt, pepper and any classic herbs, (basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, tarragon, thyme, etc.,) is a surefire way to treat these veggies right.

Can dogs have broccoli? ›

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli. Dogs can eat the vegetable both cooked and raw, as long as there are no seasonings or oils added. However, this vegetable should always be given in very small quantities, especially because the florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs.

Why is my broccoli soggy in the oven? ›

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. Since crispy is what you're going for here, you need to dry the broccoli.

How to stop broccoli from going soggy? ›

Once tender, carefully pour the florets back into the cleaned colander over the sink to drain. Leave the broccoli in the colander to steam for another minute before serving; this helps stop the broccoli going soggy.

How do you keep roasted vegetables from getting mushy? ›

Don't crowd the baking sheet.

If you crowd and overlap the veggies, they will steam and get mushy, not what we want! Roast vegetables at a high heat, 425 degrees F and make sure you preheat the oven so it is HOT when the veggies go in!

How do you cook broccoli so it's not mushy? ›

To avoid soggy broccolis try steaming it for 2 minutes and check the texture, if required cook for a minute more but not more than that. After this, you put the boiled broccoli into ice water, the constant shock will make them crispy.

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