Roasted vegetables have become one of the go-to side dishes for homes of full-time chefs. Whenever we struggle with what to eat, we just have to look in our crisper drawer. We usually have broccoli on hand and, through trial and error, come up with the tastiest way to serve it. Just a few simple ingredients to make the best roasted broccoli ever. Roasting is a great cooking option because it brings out the natural sweetness of vegetables. Lemon juice, garlic and a little salt and pepper especially accentuate the flavor of the broccoli. Oven roasted vegetables are an easy side dish for any meal. This recipe might turn the broccoli hater in your life into a fanatic!
How to choose the best broccoli:
Choose the color bright green for the head. The stems should be sturdy and the florets should be springy. Brown or yellow spots and limp stems are signs that vegetables are getting old, and you can still roast these, but fresher options are always better.
How to slice broccoli:
Broccoli can be one vegetable to dread chopping. It doesn’t have to be! Just follow these directions for Broccoli in the Oven Recipe:
- Grab the stalks of the broccoli and place them upside down on a cutting board.
- Trim the stems and leaf edges with a sharp knife, and cut off any florets.
- Discard the center stem and green leaves.
- Break up the larger florets with your hands, or cut them into smaller pieces with a knife.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen vegetables to make roasted broccoli in this recipe. In fact, broccoli will be more tender in the oven when using frozen rather than fresh. No need to defrost—just place it on the frozen sheet pan and add about 5 minutes to the baking time.
Does broccoli need to be boiled before cooking?
Some roasted broccoli recipes require you to blanch the vegetables before roasting. Blanching is a great way to cook broccoli — it keeps your florets tender and crisp. That said, you don’t need to add extra steps to this recipe.
How to prevent vegetables from burning in the oven?
You can prevent vegetables from burning in the oven by paying attention to the cooking temperature. Our broccoli in the oven recipe requires you to roast the vegetables at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The high heat will cook your roasted broccoli in about 20 minutes. Any longer and you risk ending up with burnt results.
What is the best oil to use when roasting broccoli?
Our roasted broccoli recipe calls for olive oil because it’s one of our favorites and we always have it on hand! Any oil with a high smoke point will do. Here are some other good options:
- avocado oil
- butter
- vegetable oil
Can you roast wilted broccoli?
Roasting is a great way to use up those veggies in the fridge that may have seen better days. If your veggies have started to turn slightly discolored, wilted, or a little limp, feel free to use them in this recipe. However, you should never attempt to cook food that is slimy, soggy, or extremely discolored. If you try to eat vegetables in this state, you may get sick!