Roasted Broccoli Recipe (2024)

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Best oven roasted broccoli recipe ever with lemon and garlic, crispy at the edges, perfectly tender in the center and of course vegan. Bursting with flavor from a mix of spices and brightened up by a fresh squeeze of citrus this recipe is a must try.

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Oven Roasted Broccoli

From all the broccoli that I’ve cooked in my life this is still the top rated recipe to date. Quick and easy, ready to eat in less than 30 minutes and oh so delicious and good for you! Feel free to mix half broccoli florets and cauliflower following this exact recipe. Did I mention that it’s also vegan?!

Oh yeah, even the optional walnut parmesan is, which you should totally make as well and keep a stash of it on hand at all times. Magical sprinkling dust!

This broccoli is best served hot, straight out of the oven. I would not recommend making it in advance nor freezing it, after all it would take just as long to reheat it anyways.

Serve on its own with some cashew queso for dipping, or in a Buddha bowl paired with:

  • this Vegan Chicken
  • Mushrooms and Potatoes
  • Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
  • Pineapple Fried Rice
  • Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
  • Scalloped Potatoes.
  • Mashed Potato Salad.

Any leftovers can be refrigerated for later and used in a new dish like this vegan frittata, easy focaccia, a stir-fry, or alongside these divine baked sweet potatoes or our vegan potato salad with dill. No food left behind club!

Broccoli Cooking Tips

  1. Make sure to start with FRESH broccoli NOT frozen, to achieve the perfect tender center and crispy tips.
  2. Give it space in the pan, do not overcrowd the florets! Overcrowding creates steam and interferes with the browning process.
  3. Use HIGH heat! I roast mine at 425″F and it’s usually ready in under 25 minutes depending on the size of the florets.
  4. If you must work with “Frozen Broccoli” you should do it at the higher temperature of 450″F for 15-18 minutes then transfer to the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up the edges if need be.
  5. Can I Roast it Without Oil? – Yes you can! Simply replace the oil with a splash of veggie stock, water or a drizzle of tahini/ sesame butter so the seasonings stick. However, just know that you won’t be achieving those extra crispy edges I bragged about earlier, but it will still be super tasty and healthy. Best to use the air fryer for an oil-free version@425″F and check at the 12 minute mark as timing varies from model to model.

Recipe Variations

  • Make it Italian Style and finish with a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze like I did with these balsamic tomatoes.
  • Go for a Mediterranean Flair with a squeeze of lemon, some crumbled vegan feta + flavorful fresh herbs like oregano and dill.
  • Give it an Asian spin with a drizzle of peanut sauce and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.

how to make roasted broccoli

Roasted Broccoli Recipe (6)

5 from 7 votes

Vegan Roasted Broccoli with Lemon & Garlic

The best oven roasted broccoli recipe ever with lemon and garlic, crispy at the edges and perfectly tender in the center. Vegan recipe!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:25 minutes mins

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425”F.

  • In a large baking tray toss together the broccoli florets with the olive oil, sea salt, pepper flakes, garlic and onion powders. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs then spread in one layer preferably without touching each other.

  • Roast in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the florets are tender (but not mushy) when pierced with a knife. Toss once half way through cooking.

  • Serve promptly with a good squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkling of walnut parmesan over the top.

Video

Notes

  • It's very important that the broccoli / cauliflower is dry if you want to achieve the crispy edges. Rinse in advance and give it plenty of time to dry out completely.
  • To make this recipe WFPB & Plantricious compliant make sure to omit all oil and roast with a little splash of water, veggie stock or a couple of teaspoons of tahini.
  • Give the broccoli space in the pan, do not overcrowd the florets! Overcrowding creates steam and interferes with the browning process. If you must work with " frozen broccoli" you should roast it at a higher temperature of at least 450"F for 15-18 minutes then transfer to the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 705IU | Vitamin C: 115.5mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: plant based, roasted broccoli, vegan,

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 90kcal

Author: Florentina

Roasted Broccoli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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? ›

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.

Why is roasted broccoli so good? ›

While many vegetables benefit from roasting, broccoli is an ideal candidate. After just 15 minutes in the oven, the florets come out crisp and browned at the edges with tender stems.

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.

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat cooked broccoli? ›

Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds. When you want cooked broccoli, steaming or very brief microwaving are excellent choices.

Why does my roasted broccoli taste bitter? ›

Why is Broccoli Bitter? Broccoli contains several compounds which some people perceive as bitter. Proper growing, storage, and cooking can replace that bitter flavor with an earthy, almost sweet taste. Broccoli is best grown when the temperatures are cool and there is less sunlight.

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!

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 does restaurant broccoli taste so good? ›

Many restaurants roast or pan-fry their vegetable side dishes in bacon, butter, or other animal fat – or a mixture of these. Why? Because it makes veggies taste richer, more flavorful, and saltier than they would if you cooked them at home, which encourages you and other customers to keep coming back for more.

What makes broccoli taste better? ›

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

Why is Chinese broccoli so good? ›

Like many leafy green vegetables, Chinese broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients. It contains high amounts of beta carotene. Beta carotene helps prevent age related macular degeneration (ARMD), which causes vision loss and eventually blindness. Additionally, Chinese broccoli is a good source of vitamin E.

Is roasted broccoli still healthy? ›

Yes! Baked broccoli is super healthy and full of fiber, vitamin C, and even protein.

How do you keep broccoli crispy when cooking? ›

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.

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.

Does broccoli lose nutrients when roasted? ›

Roasted or broiled — Dry heat cooking methods are a great way to enjoy vegetables without losing too many nutrients. Plus, roasting or broiling make tougher vegetables more palatable and easier to digest. Boiled — When cooking vegetables over a long period of time in water, some nutrients will be lost.

Are roasted vegetables as healthy as raw? ›

Cooking vegetables quickly allows less time for vitamins and other nutrients to escape. Roasting can be a quick way to cook vegetables that allows for minimal vitamin loss. However, roasting or baking veggies at longer times and higher temperatures can cause a significant reduction in their vitamin concentration.

Which is healthier steamed or roasted vegetables? ›

Essentially, if your aim is to preserve nutrients, light steaming is the way to go, but the thing is, flavour and enjoyment play a major part in food, too. “If roasting vegetables means you enjoy them more, then by all means roast them,” Hope says.

Does roasting destroy nutrients? ›

Most vitamin losses are minimal with this cooking method, including vitamin C. However, due to long cooking times at high temperatures, the B vitamins in roasted meat may decline by as much as 40% (6). Roasting or baking does not have a significant effect on most vitamins and minerals, except for B vitamins.

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