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

How do you stop broccoli from burning when roasting? ›

The tender, fuzzy “tree” tips of roasted broccoli florets are the most delicious, but they are also quick to burn. Make sure the florets are well-coated with olive oil to keep this from happening. Don't Crowd the Pan. If the florets are too close, they will steam instead of roast.

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.

Why is roasted broccoli so good? ›

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.

How do Chinese restaurants get broccoli so crispy? ›

Restaurants serve amazingly green and crunchy Chinese broccoli because they use huge amounts of boiling water.

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.

Why does my roasted broccoli taste bitter? ›

Hi Maxine, there can be several reasons why broccoli is bitter, the main one is that it is starting to 'bolt', this is when the plant starts to flower prematurely. Bolting can be caused by temperature fluctuations (hot and cold) or too much heat, broccoli are a cool weather crop.

How do you keep roasted vegetables crispy? ›

Tips for Roasting
  1. Use a High Temperature. The best temperature for roasting vegetables is 400 degrees F. If you have convection oven, use the bake setting and reduce to 375 degrees F.
  2. Don't Crowd the Pan. ...
  3. Use Enough Olive Oil. ...
  4. Rotate the Pan(s). ...
  5. Switch Upper and Lower Racks.

How healthy is roasted broccoli? ›

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

Do you flip vegetables when roasting? ›

Roasted vegetables aren't high maintenance, but they do need a little bit of attention. Leaving the pan totally unattended means that the bottom of your vegetables will burn, while the tops never crisp up. Flip halfway through, and you'll be rewarded with vegetables that are evenly cooked and golden all over.

Why aren't my roasted vegetables crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

How much oil do you put in roasted vegetables? ›

Use two tablespoons of oil per sheet.

Too much oil does not result in more crispy vegetables; it actually does just the opposite. A good rule of thumb is about 2 tablespoons of oil per baking sheet; toss the cut veggies with the oil.

Is broccoli better for you steamed or roasted? ›

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.

Can you eat too much roasted broccoli? ›

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).

Why is Chinese broccoli so good? ›

Chinese broccoli is one of the world's most nutritious vegetables, brandishing the highest calcium content of any food. It is also rich with iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Beta carotene is no stranger to this deep green ingredient, which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration (or ARMD).

Why is Chinese restaurant broccoli so good? ›

Chinese restaurants often incorporate garlic, ginger, and soy sauce to add depth and flavor to the broccoli. You can also add a dash of sesame oil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an added kick.

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 are restaurant vegetables so much better? ›

The truth is that more salt and fat do factor into better-tasting veggies. That said, making an enjoyable and relatively healthy vegetable dish that is delicious and satisfying is very much possible. There are plenty of ways to improve your at-home veggie game.

How do restaurants keep broccoli green? ›

Immediately drain it in a colander, and serve. If you aren't serving it immediately, or if it's going into a salad to be served cold, dip it into an ice bath. This stops the cooking process and ensures that the broccoli stays that gorgeous green color.

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