Easy to make Lemon and Garlic Broccoli is a simple side dish and goes with just about every meal!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Fresh vegetables just don't need too much fuss, don't you agree? Like my recipe for Roasted Carrots with Mint or 3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans - simple perfect and delicious!
✔️ It's an easy-to-make side dish!
✔️ Lemon and garlic broccoli is a great option for a healthy side with your meal.
✔️ Topping it with fresh lemon gives it a super bright flavor and fresh taste!
Earlier this week I stopped by a roadside farmers stand and was surprised to see broccoli. This is the first broccoli of the season and it is soo good. First, I was going to make some soup. However, since the weather was so nice we decided to grill, so roasting the broccoli definitely was the way to go.
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups broccoli florets or broccolini
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- fresh lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash and clean the broccoli well. Also, dry it completely (you want it to roast, not steam). A salad spinner works great for this.
- Add a spritz of non-stick coating to the baking sheet or cast iron skillet.
- Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the broccoli and mix well to combine. Pour on the baking sheet and tuck it into the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Depending on the size of your broccoli it will take 10 to 15 minutes to roast.
- When roasting is complete, remove it from the oven and place it on a serving dish. While the broccoli is still hot, sprinkle with grated zest from the lemon (just the yellow part of the skin!) and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Serve additional lemon wedges on the side if desired.
After drying them off, I put them in a small bowl and seasoned the broccoli with olive oil, salt and pepper - that's it! Then I lightly coated the roasting pan with a spray of non-stick coating and spread out the spears so they roast evenly.
400 degrees - 10 minutes and they were done!
FAQ's
You can blanch the broccoli if you like it super tender. However, if you do, make sure you dry it well before roasting or it will steam and not caramelize.
If your roasted broccoli is mushy it's probably because you've crowded the pan. Make sure there is room between the spears so air can circulate.
Personally, I prefer broccoli roasted, BUT steamed broccoli is a healthier option because there's no added fat.
Yes! Salting vegetables before roasting will bring out even more flavor.
Deb's tips
Couple hints when you're roasting broccoli (or any fresh vegetable)
- Preheat the oven - you want the oven HOT when the pan is inserted
- Use an aluminum sheet pan (not non-stick), cast iron or Dutch oven - that's how you'll get even browning, caramelized edges and flavor.
So even if your farmer's market aren't open yet you can still have this amazing side dish. Use broccolini or slice the broccoli into small florets. Your cooking time may vary, but you can still enjoy this super easy side dish.
After washing use your salad spinner to dry it. You want all of the water gone because you want it to roast, not steam.
Related recipes
Serve with
- Chicken Noodle Casserole - creamy and cheesy, it's the best comfort dish.
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread - it's buttery and crispy.
- For dessert, enjoy a slice of Hershey's Chocolate Pie.
Roasted Broccoli with Lemon
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups broccoli florets well cleaned & dried off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lemon
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash & clean the broccoli well. Also, dry it completely (you want it to roast, not steam). A salad spinner works great for this.
- Add a spritz of non-stick coating to the baking sheet or cast iron skillet.
- Add the olive oil, salt & pepper to the broccoli and mix well to combine. Pour on the baking sheet and tuck it into the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Depending on the size of your broccoli it will take 10 to 15 minutes to roast.
- When roasting is complete, remove it from the oven and place it on a serving dish. While the broccoli is still hot, sprinkle with grated zest from the lemon (just the yellow part of the skin!) and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Serve additional lemon wedges on the side if desired.
Nutrition
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Janette@CulinaryGinger.com
I'm at the beach here in L.A and we are having the best weather. Roasting broccoli is the best way to prepare it in my book and I lemon really is the best addition.
Bowl Me Over
Enjoy that beach weather Janette, that sounds wonderful and enjoy those veggies!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
I love roasted broccoli. I can't wait to add the lemon!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Dorothy, I hope you like the combo - simple, but really brightens the flavors!
Kavey
Lovely to see you showcase early sprouting broccoli, one of my favourites of the late winter brassicas.
Bowl Me Over
Love those tender delicious veggies - thanks Kavey!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
We love roasted broccoli! You can't beat that caramelization from the high heat. Speaking of heat, it's nowhere near 87 degrees where I live! Enjoy it!
Bowl Me Over
Oh yes, loving every minute of it Andrea! Roasted broccoli is so yummy - thank you!!
Raia Todd
Love simple side dishes like this! So easy and delicious.
Bowl Me Over
Me too - no reason to make mealtime complicated. Thank Raia!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
It's warm here in Arizona too. I'm loving every minute of it! This broccoli looks like the perfect light and fresh way to ring in spring!
Bowl Me Over
Yes, yes and yes!! Glad you're enjoying this beautiful weather Allison!!
Luci's Morsels
I love roasted broccoli and this recipe sure seems like it won't disappoint. This looks so good and I can almost taste the lemon. Yummy!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Luci - such a bright and light bite!!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I totally DO hate you. Just kidding. Lol. But seriously, I could use something green right about now. We're still covered in snow and months away from broccoli! My younger daughter loves broccoli prepared like this. She'll devour her serving and ask for seconds. It's like magic!
Bowl Me Over
Hahaha! Love it Katie!! We'll be wishing we were your way during the heat of the summer I'm sure! Glad to hear there are more broccoli eaters out there - enjoy!!
Liza
I meant to comment sooner, but I was crazy busy. But I just HAVE to place a comment here! This broccoli looks SO GOOD!!!! It's super-healthy (obviously), but it's made so that you WANT to eat it! I crave this broccoli So Bad!!!! OK, I'm putting the broccoli on my shopping list asap! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule, I so appreciate it! You will LOVE this broccoli and so easy too, gotta love those simple, delish sides! Have a great week my friend!!
debi at Life Currents
This broccoli looks fabulous! Totally my kind of dish! But honestly, it was too hot this week here. I could go for some easing into spring, you know with warming temps, not hot! But, I guess if the temps bring yummy looking veggies like this, I should be happy about it! hee hee
Bowl Me Over
I know huh? It was crazy here this week. Looks like we'll be getting a cool down next week though and maybe a little more rain? That would be good - enjoy those veggies Debi!