Sautéed Broccolini (Broccoletti) is a nutrient-rich, tender version of broccoli that goes well with just about everything and takes only 10 minutes to make. To make this vegan side, simply cook the broccolini in olive oil and toss with garlic, red chili flakes, and lemon juice for extra flavor.
We recently realized how delicious broccolini is and have since added it to our weekly dinner rotation. Now that we make it regularly, we don't think we will ever go back to normal broccoli! Not only is broccolini tasty and easy to make, it's also packed with nutrients and vitamins.
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About Broccolini
- Taste - Broccolini has a naturally earthy and slightly sweet taste. The garlic adds an herbaceous accent and the lemon brightens everything up.
- Texture - When cooked through, the broccolini is firm with a slight crunch. Be sure to not overcook broccolini or it will get soggy.
- Effort - This vegetable recipe is very easy, just throw the ingredients in the pan, sautee, season, and steam.
- Time - This is one of the quickest, healthiest sides you'll make. It only takes a few minutes of prep and about 7 minutes to cook.
What is Broccolini?
Broccolini, also known as broccoletti and baby broccoli, is a cross breed of Chinese broccoli and broccoli. Physically, it has the long stem of Chinese broccoli and the head of broccoli (the head is slightly less dense than broccoli). Broccolini is also milder, sweeter, and takes less time to make than broccoli, making it one of our go to dinner sides.
This hybrid green has many names, including broccolini, baby broccoli, broccoletti, broccolette, and Tenderstem broccoli.
Ingredients
- Broccolini - The sweet sister of broccoli. Make sure to wash it before you start cooking.
- Olive oil - Olive oil adds fat to the dish and allows the broccolini to cook. Additionally, it allows the seasoning to cling to the broccolini.
- Garlic cloves - Garlic cloves add the classic aromatic taste.
- Kosher or sea salt - Salt accentuates the other flavors.
- Freshly ground black pepper - Black pepper adds a bit of bite to the vegetable.
- Red chili pepper flakes - Chili pepper flakes imbue heat into the dish.
- Lemon - Lemon brightens the dish and adds a zesty flavor.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano - Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese is optional, but encouraged! Grated Parmigiano or parmesan cheese adds delicious umami flavor to the broccolini.
- Water - Water teams the broccolini to ensure that it cooks through but remains al dente.
Instructions
- Prepare the broccolini - Trim a half-inch off the bottom of the broccolini stems.
- Prepare garlic - Use the side of your knife to slightly crush the garlic cloves. This releases the garlic oil into the cooking oil.
- Cook garlic and broccolini - Add oil and garlic cloves to a skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add broccolini and sauté for 5 minutes, turning the broccolini over with tongs halfway through. The broccolini will turn bright green and some of the florets become charred.
- Season and steam - Use tongs to remove the garlic. Toss broccolini with salt and optional black pepper or red pepper flakes. Add the water, cover with a lid, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve - Serve immediately with lemon wedges and top with Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.
Hint: Be sure to keep the garlic cloves whole, don't mince them. If you mince or chop the garlic, it will burn in the oil.
How to Roast Broccolini
You can also roast broccolini if you prefer an easier hands off approach:
- Heat oven - Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Season broccolini - Add broccolini to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss the broccolini with tongs until they are evenly coated in olive oil and seasoning.
- Place on baking sheet - Arrange the broccolini in a single layer on a baking sheet with space in between the spears.
- Bake in oven - Place in the oven and bake until tender, about 14-16 minutes depending on the thickness of the broccolini.
- Garnish with lemon and cheese - Squeeze lemon juice on top of the baby broccoli and dust with Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese before serving.
Substitutions
- Broccoli - Replace broccolini with regular broccoli if you prefer the slightly less sweet and more bitter taste of broccoli. Just be sure to thinly slice the broccoli lengthwise (including the stem) before you cook it.
- Broccoli rabe (rapini) - Replace broccolini with broccoli rabe if you want a much more bitter and strong tasting version of broccolini.
- Chinese broccoli - Enjoy Chinese broccoli if you want an even milder and sweeter broccolini.
- Garlic powder - Garlic powder adds an aromatic flavor to the broccoletti without any prep!
Variations
- Kewpie Mayo Shoyu Sauce - Adds a unique umami flavor to the dish. In a small bowl, add Kewpie mayo, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Use a spoon or chopsticks to mix the sauce until homogeneous and smooth.
- Chipotle mayo - Dip the broccoletti in chipotle mayo if you want to add extra smokey and spicy flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar - Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar to the broccolini for rich sweetness.
- Extra spicy - Add togarashi, red chili pepper flakes, or freshly ground black pepper while cooking to add extra spice and bite to the dish.
- Sesame Seeds - Add a couple tablespoons of sesame seeds for a sweet crunch.
- Furikake - Furikake is a Japanese seaweed seasoning. Furikake rice seasoning consists of dried nori, sesame seeds, and salt. There are other types of furikake, which have dried bonito flakes, rice puffs, shrimp, and other bits of umami-packed ingredients.
- Toasted nuts - Toasted walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts will add an extra hearty crunch.
- Lemon zest - Add lemon zest for extra lemony flavor.
What to Serve with Broccolini
This gluten free broccolini recipe is an approachable, flavorful weeknight side. Serve it with your favorite dinner dishes:
- Lobster Ravioli Sauce
- Chicken Katsu (Japanese Chicken Cutlet)
- Lemony Spring Risotto with Peas and Asparagus
- Buttery White Fish
FAQ
Broccolini is high in fiber, which helps you to maintain a good digestive system. It is also high in calcium and magnesium, both of which help regulate blood pressure. It also has antioxidants which protect against chronic diseases like cancer.
Broccolini is available at most major grocery stores.
It can be found year round, but is best in the spring and summer months.
Yes, it can be eaten safely either raw or cooked. We suggest eating it cooked because it will taste better, but cooking it may also reduce the amount of heat-sensitive nutrients.
Yes, all parts of the broccolini can be eaten. Even the flowers are edible, they add a peppery kick.
Equipment
This broccolini recipe requires a few kitchen essentials, all of which can be used for many other common recipes. To make this broccoletti dish, you will need a knife, cutting board, mixing bowl, measuring spoons, tongs, and a non-stick skillet or braiser.
Storage
Store leftover garlic broccolini in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Broccolini doesn't stand up well to freezing. To reheat leftovers in the oven, heat oven to 350 degrees F and place the broccolini on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
To reheat the broccolini on the stovetop, add a drizzle of olive oil to a skillet over low-medium heat. Place the broccolini in a single layer in the skillet and cook until warm, or about 3-5 minutes.
Top Tips
- Cook in a single layer - Cook broccolini in a single layer in the pan so the vegetables cook evenly and do not get soggy.
- Season well - Generously season broccoletti with olive oil, kosher or sea salt, pepper, and red pepper. This recipe is very versatile and flexible, so you can season with your favorite spices too!
Similar Recipes
- Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
- Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake
- Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots
- Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
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📖 Recipe
10-Minute Sautéed Broccolini (Broccoletti)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon water
- Parmigiano Reggiano grated, optional
- lemon wedges optional
Instructions
- Prepare the broccolini - Trim a half-inch off the bottom of the broccolini stems.1 bunch broccolini
- Prepare garlic - Use the side of your knife to slightly crush the whole garlic cloves. Crushing the garlic releases the garlic oil into the cooking oil. Leaving the garlic whole prevents the clove from burning.2 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoon olive oil
- Cook garlic and broccolini - Add oil and garlic cloves to a skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add broccolini and sauté for 5 minutes, turning the broccolini over with tongs halfway through. The broccolini will turn bright green and some of the florets become charred.1 bunch broccolini, 2 cloves garlic
- Season and steam - Use tongs to remove the garlic. Toss broccolini with salt and optional black pepper or red pepper flakes. Add the water, cover with a lid, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.½ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon water
- Serve - Serve immediately with lemon wedges and top with Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.lemon wedges, Parmigiano Reggiano
Notes
- Store leftover garlic broccolini in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Broccolini doesn't stand up well to freezing. To reheat leftovers in the oven, heat oven to 350 degrees F and place the broccolini on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
- To heat the broccolini on the stovetop, add a drizzle of olive oil to a skillet on low-medium heat. Place the broccolini in a single layer in the skillet and cook until warm, or about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook in a single layer - Cook broccolini in a single layer on the pan so the vegetables cook evenly and do not get soggy.
- Season well - Generously season broccoletti with olive oil, kosher or sea salt, pepper, and red pepper. This recipe is very versatile and flexible, so you can season with your favorite spices too!
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