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? ›

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 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.

Should I steam my broccoli before roasting? ›

If you're in a rush, or if you want to ensure that you have super tender stalks by the end of cooking, try steaming the broccoli before roasting it.

What is the healthiest way to eat broccoli? ›

Cooking (Or Not Cooking) Broccoli To Protect Its Nutritional Riches : The Salt Cooking broccoli too long destroys the beneficial enzyme that breaks down chemicals into cancer fighters. The best way to eat it is raw or steamed for just two to three minutes, a nutrition expert says.

Does roasting broccoli destroy nutrients? ›

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.

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? ›

The smaller the broccoli pieces, the faster and crispier they will cook. Cut larger broccoli stems in half, for crisp results that will melt in your mouth. Cutting the broccoli stems in half, and making the pieces similar in size will ensure that everything cooks evenly.

Is it better to boil or roast broccoli? ›

Cooking broccoli in this way retains most of its colour, nutritional value along with that crunch that results in a delicious side dish that even my youngest and pickiest eater enjoys. Boiling or over-cooking the broccoli florets turns the texture into mush and also draw away much of its cancer-fighting goodness.

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).

Is it OK to eat cooked broccoli everyday? ›

Regularly incorporating broccoli into your daily diet can contribute to stronger bones and potentially lower the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis. Broccoli can be a beneficial inclusion in the diet of those seeking to manage their weight.

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.

How do you make roasted broccoli not smell? ›

Preheating the baking sheet ensures the broccoli is hit with high heat right from the start, from all sides. Setting the oven to such a high heat browns the broccoli and cooks it through quickly, allowing nutty and sweet flavors to develop, not stinky, sulfurous ones.

Can dogs eat broccoli? ›

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli. Dogs can eat the vegetable both cooked and raw, as long as there are no seasonings or oils added. However, this vegetable should always be given in very small quantities, especially because the florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs.

Is broccoli healthier raw or roasted? ›

The leaves and stems of broccoli are very nutritious, but the florets have an even higher concentration of nutrients and phytochemicals. Raw broccoli has more vitamin C than cooked, but cooked broccoli makes the carotenoids more available to the body. So enjoy broccoli cooked or raw¬ just be sure to eat it often.

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.

Are roasted veggies still healthy? ›

are roasted vegetables healthy? YES! Roasted vegetables are extremely nutritious! Vegetables contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber — which has so many amazing health benefits — plus phytochemicals and antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and help fight off disease.

Does roasting broccoli destroy vitamin C? ›

No, you don't need to forgo roasted veggies because of high heat. The fact is that all forms of cooking can destroy some of the nutrients (such as vitamin C and B vitamins) in vegetables.

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