Roasted Broccolini Recipe

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Why You’ll Love This Roasted Broccolini Recipe
How To Cook Broccolini
Other Ways To Cook Broccolini
Common Questions
Storage Instructions
What To Serve With Roasted Broccolini
More Roasted Vegetable Recipes
Tools For This Recipe
Roasted Broccolini Recipe

This roasted broccolini recipe (sometimes called baby broccoli) is one of those side dishes you get at restaurants and get impressed because it looks all fancy — but in reality, learning how to cook broccolini is actually the simplest thing ever. It’s really not much different from any other type of roasted vegetables. In fact, it’s the same method I use for roasting broccoli!

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Broccolini Recipe

Sweet and tender stalks
Just 2 ingredients, plus salt and pepper
On the table in less than 20 minutes
Packed with nutrients
Easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions

Roasted Broccolini Recipe - Wholesome Yum (2)

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for oven roasted broccolini, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Broccolini– This veggie is in season year round, but its peak season is from October to April. Look for vibrant green stalks with small, tight florets. Trim 1-2 inches from the stems. If pieces are large or uneven in size, slice lengthwise down the stalk. Consistent thickness ensures that they will cook at a similar rate.
Olive Oil – This adds flavor, promotes browning, and helps the seasonings stick. You can also use avocado oil or any heat-safe oil for cooking broccolini.
Seasoning – I used simply salt and pepper. You can also experiment with garlic powder, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or grated Parmesan cheese.

VARIATION: Add garlic.

If you want roasted garlic broccolini, you can use the same method I use for my garlic green beans. Roast the broccolini on its own first until it’s close to done, then add sliced or minced garlic in the last few minutes. This avoids burning it. Another option is to simply sprinkle the broccolini with garlic powder before baking.

How To Cook Broccolini

This section shows how to make roasted broccolini, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Season. Arrange the veggies in a single layer on a baking sheet. (You can line it with foil if desired.) Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Move the pieces around together to coat better, then spread in a single layer again.
Bake. Roast broccolini until tender and florets are crispy.

TIP: Don’t overcrowd the pan.

This can cause the broccolini to steam instead of roast, making it more mushy than crispy. Make sure each piece is touching the pan.

Roasted Broccolini Recipe - Wholesome Yum (5)

Other Ways To Cook Broccolini

I think roasting is the best way to cook broccolini because it’s so simple and hands off, but you can also cook it using other methods. All these broccolini recipes are easy to make:

Sauteed broccolini – Add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet, then add broccolini. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until tender and slightly crispy on the edges.
Air fryer broccolini – Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F. Toss the stalks with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and slightly crispy.
Grilled broccolini – Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place directly on the grill grates and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until tender and slightly charred.

Common Questions

What is broccolini? Broccolini is a green vegetable that’s a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (gai lan). It has small florets and long, thin stalks. “Brocolini” in Italian means “baby broccoli”, which is why it sometimes gets that name.
Broccolini vs. broccoli: What’s the difference? Broccolini is similar to broccoli but has smaller florets and thinner stalks. It also has a sweeter and milder taste, while regular broccoli has larger florets and a more robust flavor.
Broccoli rabe vs. broccolini: What’s the difference? Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, is more closely related to turnips than broccoli, with bitter leaves and small florets. On the other hand, broccolini is less leafy with florets that more closely resemble broccoli.
How long to roast broccolini? Roast broccolini for about14-18 minutes, until the stalks are tender and florets are crispy.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep leftover roasted broccolini in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat: Simply pop it in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or quickly sauté it in a hot pan with a touch of oil until warm.
Freeze: Blanch broccolini in boiling water for a minute to maintain its flavor and texture when freezing. Shock in ice water, then dry and freeze in zip lock bags for up to 3 months. When ready to roast, toss with olive oil and roast, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

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What To Serve With Roasted Broccolini

Like roasted asparagus, roasted broccolini recipes make a perfect side for any protein! Here are a few ideas:

Chicken – Roast broccolini alongside chicken legs, juicy lemon garlic chicken, some spicy Cajun chicken, or one of my other chicken recipesinstead.
Steak – If you want a classic steakhouse meal meal, pair this side with a tender filet mignon with mashed cauliflower or mashed potatoes. You can also make a roasted beef tenderloin or tomahawk steak for a special occasion, or a quick and easy sirloin steak for weeknights.
Pork – Serve roasted broccolini alongside smothered pork chops or a pork sirloin roast.
Fish – Pair this side dish with your choice of baked haddock (pictured above), pan seared halibut, or flavorful pesto salmon for a healthy, elegant meal.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

If you like this easy roasted broccolini recipe, here are some other roasted veggie recipes to try:

Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Learn how to cook broccolini like a restaurant, in just 20 minutes! This roasted broccolini recipe is an easy side for steak, fish, or chicken.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 14 minutes

Total: 19 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

1lbBroccolini(~2 bunches)▢
3tbspOlive oil▢
1/4tspSea salt▢
1/4tspBlack pepper▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil, if desired.
Trim 1-2 inches from the stems of the broccolini. If some pieces are extra large, slice lengthwise down the stalk, so that they are all similar in thickness.
Arrange the broccolini in a single layer on the pan. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Move the pieces around together to coat better, then spread in a single layer again. (Don’t overcrowd the pan.)
Roast broccolini for 14-18 minutes, until the stalks are tender and florets are crispy.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2-3 thin stalks (or halved thicker ones), or 1/6 entire recipe

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories91

Fat6.8g

Protein2.7g

Total Carbs5.4g

Net Carbs4.5g

Fiber0.9g

Sugar1.8g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Keywords:broccolini recipe, how to cook broccolini, roasted broccolini

Calories: 91 kcal

Roasted Broccolini Recipe

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FAQs

Is broccolini just baby broccoli? ›

Despite what you may have heard, Broccolini is not baby broccoli. This lanky vegetable is a hybrid first created in 1993. Broccolini a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has small florets, long stalks, and a few small leaves — all of which are edible.

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Is broccolini better than broccoli for you? ›

The verdict. Broccolini – by a hair's breadth! Nutritionally, the two brassicas are very similar. But the excellent vitamin A content of broccolini, together with the fact that it needs less prep and there's no waste, gives it the edge over broccoli for us.

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Do you eat the stalks of broccolini? ›

The best way to experience the health benefits of broccolini is to eat it raw. The stems, leaves, and florets are all edible. You can also choose to steam your broccolini and serve it as a side to complete a tasty, nutritious meal.

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Why is broccolini so much better than broccoli? ›

It contains compounds like sulforaphane that are responsible for many of its health benefits, especially its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Eating broccolini may also support heart health and blood sugar control. Compared to broccoli, broccolini tastes sweeter, with a mild flavor and more delicate texture.

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Why is broccolini more expensive than broccoli? ›

Broccolini will also have longer stems and smaller heads in comparison to broccoli. Broccolini is still a fairly new cruciferous vegetable, as it was invented in 1993 in Japan. Because of its newness and because it provides less quantity in a stalk, broccolini is typically more expensive than broccoli.

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Is broccolini anti inflammatory? ›

Broccoli and broccolini are nutritionally powerful foods due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification properties, and they also contribute toward cancer prevention, digestive and cardiovascular support, skin and eye health, and vitamin D support (due to an unusually strong combination of both vitamin ...

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Can I eat broccolini everyday? ›

Rich in folate

Just half a cup of cooked Broccolini^® provides nearly half of your recommended daily amout of folate. Here are some benefits of consuming folate rich Broccolini^® daily. Folate energises the mind and body by supporting psychological function and reducing fatigue*.

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Can you eat too much broccolini? ›

Scientists say that eating broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables in excess could put you at risk for hypothyroidism, a disorder characterized by unintentional weight gain, depression, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches (per WebMD).

How do you take the bitterness out of broccolini? ›

The easiest way to rid broccoli rabe of some of its bitter flavor is by blanching it first. Just a quick dip in boiling water extracts enough of the bitterness and jumpstarts the cooking.

Why is my broccolini tough? ›

Broccolini still need some blanching to be tender enough. People often just briefly steam them instead of boiling a whole pot of water. After that you can just toss them a bit in a pan with whatever, or roast them in the oven if you prefer.

Is broccolini good for weight loss? ›

A serving has just 35 calories and, even better, broccolini is a non-starchy vegetable, so you can eat as much as you want while staying on track to your weight loss goal.

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Is broccolini hard to digest? ›

Both broccoli and broccolini also fit into the same family of cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables are a type of vegetable that can cause digestive symptoms in some people, especially gas. Cruciferous vegetables are sulphurous greens which have been shown in the past to cause stomach upset.

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Why does broccolini taste so good? ›

It's mellower and less bitter than standard-issue broccoli, with a mild sweetness much more akin to Chinese broccoli. But our favorite part of broccolini is its texture. The long stems have a pleasant crunch, and the ratio of stem to leaf to bud is pretty perfect, if you ask us.

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What is difference between broccoli and broccolini? ›

Broccoli has a thick, woody stem and a large, flowering head. Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, and also belongs to the cabbage family. Broccolini have long, firm stalks (thinner and more tender than those of broccoli), a few small leaves and small florets.

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Is broccolini immature broccoli? ›

Broccolini is more closely related to broccoli than it is bitter broccoli rabe, which is actually in the turnip family. Broccolini, like the broccoli we all know and love, is in the brassica family, along with cabbage and Brussels sprouts. But it isn't immature broccoli.

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What two plants make broccolini? ›

Broccolini, Aspabroc, baby broccoli or tenderstem broccoli, is a green vegetable similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks. It is a hybrid of broccoli and gai lan (which is sometimes referred to as "Chinese kale" or "Chinese broccoli"), both cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea.

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What is broccolini made out of? ›

Sometimes referred to as "baby broccoli," it's actually a hybrid vegetable. Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (also called gai lan or Chinese kale). It looks a lot like Chinese broccoli—the stalks are long and lean—but instead of big leaves, it has florets more like common broccoli.