A high-heated oven and a couple of small tips make all the difference in this roasted broccoli that is tender on the inside and crispy with caramelized edges on the outside. The perfect side dish, finished with lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. Read through for important tips and watch the video below.
Task of the day: Make broccoli the tastiest, sexiest side dish ever. Check!
It turns out, that's not so hard to do after all. This crispy oven roasted broccoli recipe is your ticket! It takes about 15 minutes in a high-heated oven, and a few finishing touches, including fresh lemon juice, a dash of red pepper flakes and maybe a sprinkle of creamy salty feta.
Roasted broccoli is a healthy side dish that will go with almost anything from baked chicken to fish; and if you ever end up with leftovers, throw them in something like olive oil pasta or a big pot of minestrone soup! So many possibilities.
Is it better to roast or steam broccoli?
Depending on how you enjoy your broccoli, steaming or roasting it absolutely fine. Both methods work well and will allow the broccoli to retain a good bit of nutrition. When steaming broccoli, it's a good idea to use a steamer basket which will help it cook evenly and will also keep the florets elevated so the nutrients don't leach into the water. Personally, I much prefer oven roasted broccoli with delicious charred bits. What does roasting do to broccoli? When roasted, the sulfurous notes within the broccoli are removed and a slight sweetness emerges. And for best results, be sure to toss the broccoli in a bit of good olive oil, salt, and pepper before adding to an already heated pan. The crowns and stems of the broccoli will char nicely, the taste is amazing with the finish of fresh lemon juice and Aleppo-style pepper, which adds a slight kick!
Should I steam broccoli before roasting it?
No, you do not need to steam broccoli before roasting it. And in fact, if you're looking for tender-crisp broccoli with delicious charred bits, you should skip steaming and just go ahead and roast it in a high-heated oven. But if you're looking for the florets and steams to be super tender, you can steam or microwave the broccoli (with a little bit of water) briefly before roasting.
How long to roast broccoli?
To make this easy roasted broccoli recipe, you really only need a good coating of extra virgin olive oil, a generous sprinkle of kosher salt, and a high heated oven. Broccoli will take about 15 minutes to roast at 500 degrees F; it will turn out tender on the inside with beautiful caramelized, crispy edges.
From there, you can add more flavor with fresh lemon juice and any number of finishing touches like a dash of Aleppo pepper or a sprinkle of nutty dukkah! You can serve it with a sauce for dipping like tzatziki, tahini or even toum garlic sauce.
Tips for the best oven roasted broccoli
This is such an easy recipe with a short list of ingredients, but if you're looking for the tastiest roasted broccoli with just the right amount of crisp and char, you'll want to follow these simple tips:
- Look for broccoli with tight, dark green florets and firm stalks. This recipe uses the florets and stalks. The broccoli should feel heavy for its size with no yellowing florets or dried out, browning stems.
- Cut the broccoli head into pieces that are similar in size. Trim the stalks by removing the hard bottom part and the tough outer layer. Cut the broccoli so that you have plenty of flat edges touching the hot pan (this will give you great caramelization).
- Dry the broccoli well before roasting. Yes, of course you should wash your broccoli before roasting but make sure it is well dried. You can use a salad spinner to get rid of excess water, then use some paper towels to dry the broccoli florets and stalks very well.
- Use a high heated oven to roast your broccoli. I mentioned earlier that I set my oven to 500 degrees F. It will take 10 minutes for the broccoli to cook on one side before you turn them over to cook for another 5 minutes or until nicely charred.
- Heat your pan first before roasting the broccoli. If you want your broccoli to develop great flavor and perfectly caramelized edges quickly (this is what the professionals call Maillard Browning), stick your rimmed sheet pan in the high heated oven at 500 degrees F for a few minutes until the pan is nice and hot, then arrange the broccoli on it and roast. And it goes without saying that you do not line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Do not crowd the pan. Use a large enough pan (or two if you need to) to allow the broccoli ample space so that each piece is in contact with the hot surface.
How to roast broccoli
We've covered all the good tips, let's quickly walk through the steps for how to make this roasted broccoli recipe (print-friendly recipe and video just below)
- Heat the oven to 500 degrees F
Once the oven is heated, put your sheet pan in the oven and leave it for a few minutes until the pan is hot - Trim and cut the broccoli
Once the broccoli is washed and very well dried, go ahead and trim the tough bottom part of the stalk. Go around the stalk and trim the outer layer off using a sharp knife, then cut the broccoli into similar size pieces (you want plenty of flat pieces to arrange on your hot pan) - Toss the cut broccoli in olive oil and plenty of kosher salt
I like to use a bowl to mix the broccoli with the olive oil and salt, ensuring all the broccoli is well-coated. - Roast
Using a pair of tongs, pick up the broccoli and carefully arrange it in one single layer on your hot sheet pan (leave any excess oil in the bowl). Roast in the heated oven for 10 minutes or until charred on one side. Carefully turn the broccoli over using a pair of tongs and return the pan to the hot oven for another 5 minutes or until caramelized on the other side. - Add the finishing touches
Arrange the roasted broccoli on a serving platter and finish with lemon juice, lemon zest and if you like a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and feta cheese. As I said earlier, you can serve it with a sauce like tzatziki
Can you roast frozen broccoli?
Frozen broccoli is convenient as it is washed, cut and already blanched. Yes, you can roast frozen broccoli, but it will not be as tasty and crispy as fresh broccoli. If you roast broccoli from frozen, make sure you space the florets out quite a bit as they will have a lot of ice on the inside. You will also need to set your oven to 400 degrees F and allow frozen broccoli a longer amount of time (about 30 minutes) to roast so that the moisture on the inside will evaporate.
Personally, I prefer to roast fresh broccoli over frozen every time.
You may also like
- Roasted butternut squash
- Italian Roasted Vegetables
- Baked Chicken drumsticks
- Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb
- Mediterranean Black Eyed Pea Salad
Hungry for more? Browse my 50+ Top Mediterranean Diet Recipes or all Mediterranean recipes.
Crispy Lemon Roasted Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb broccoli trimmed and cut into florets
- Extra-virgin olive oil, I used Private Reserve EVOO
- Kosher salt
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (or Aleppo pepper flakes)
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- feta cheese, optional
Instructions
- Set an oven rack in the center and heat the oven to 500 degrees F.
- Put a rimmed sheet pan in the heated oven to heat.
- Trim the broccoli stems (remove the tough outer peel) and cut the broccoli into similar size florets.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the broccoli with about 4 to 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a good pinch of kosher salt.
- Carefully take the sheet pan out of the oven. Using a pair of tongs, pick up the broccoli and quickly, and carefully, arrange the broccoli in one single layer on the pan (leave any excess oil in the bowl). Return the pan to the heated oven.
- Roast for 10 minutes on one side until nicely charred. Take the pan out and turn the broccoli over on the other side and cook for another 5 minutes or so until charred.
- Arrange the broccoli on a platter. Sprinkle with more kosher salt, red pepper flakes (I used Aleppo pepper). Add zest and juice of one lemon, and if you like a sprinkle of feta cheese.
Video
Notes
- Options & Variations: You can serve this roasted broccoli with a side of tzatziki sauce, tahini, or toum garlic sauce. It's also great with a sprinkle of nutty dukkah!
- Make sure to use a rimmed sheet pan for this recipe.
- Ovens do vary, watch your broccoli carefully.
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oils and spices
Jennifer Smith says
Love this recipe but instead of heating up my oven, I’ve begun using a cast iron skillet on top of the stove with great results!
We’re eating more broccoli now than ever!
Suzy says
Ooo! Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
Sherry says
My whole family LOVES this recipe. That never happens! I have not had a bad meal/recipe on this site and I am loving it. So glad I found this site!! Thanks Suzy for your great meals.
Suzy says
Awesome! Thanks, Sherry!
Sheila says
I made three of your recipes for Christmas dinner, my son’s fiancé loved this recipe and the recipe for pasted veggies. I also made her pesto pasta. I have made her a fan of your recipes
Sheila says
Roasted vegetables
Leah says
This is THE BEST broccoli recipe EVER!!!!!!! Even my 16-year-old son loves it. There is no way to improve on this recipe.
Suzy says
Wow! Thank you so much, Leah!
Donna La Spina says
Wow made this tonight paired your Greek chicken and potatoes!!!! So easy and Wow what flavor - thanks again Suzy!!!
Suzy says
What a yummy dinner! Thanks for sharing, Donna!
Milana says
Trully amazing ! Thank you for this recepe.
Suzy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Milana!
Ruth Wheatley says
Love love love it thank you So much
Suzy says
Awesome!! 🙂
Liz says
We eat a lot of broccoli at our house but this recipe intrigued me so I made it last night. It was outstanding and is our new favorite way to have broccoli!!! Instead of a rimmed baking pan I used a small cast iron skillet which I preheated in a 500 degree oven for a few minutes before placing the broccoli in it flat side down. The Aleppo pepper flakes and Feta are a great combination and along with the lemon, the flavors were really good!
Suzy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Liz!
Maysa says
We eat broccoli quite often and cook it various ways.While visiting my sister she cooked this broccoli recipe and it blew mind.
Absolutely delicious and so flavourful!Feta and pepper make it incredible! My sister said she eats this broccoli every few days for the past few months lol
Thanks for the recipe!!
Suzy says
So glad you love it, Maysa!
Julie McMican says
I made this the same night that I saw the recipe from her Instagram. Very simple and very delicious. And I didn’t even remember the peppers or the feta. It was excellent with just the lemon and roasted that way.
Suzy says
Thank you for sharing, Julie!
Sunena | The Sassy Foodie says
Ok so I always roast my broccoli, but I am kicking myself for never trying it with FETA! Thank you for this fabulous idea - it will be on my dinner table very soon!
Suzy says
Enjoy 🙂
Gina says
Roasting is my favorite way to prepare broccoli but I never thought to pair with feta, thanks for the inspiration!
Suzy says
Hope you enjoy it, Gina!
Mahy says
The broccoli to fight for! I love how delicious it looks - I won't even need to convince my loved ones to eat it this time 🙂 Yum!
Suzy says
Awesome! Thanks, Mahy!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
This is such a simple recipe, but delivers such great flavor! One of my husband's favorites. We make it every week.
Suzy says
Thanks, Lisa!
Mary says
This was dead simple and so good! I used Aleppo pepper and loved the combo!
Suzy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Mary!
Katie says
Looks delicious! Can't wait to try this.
Emese Maczko says
What a neat trick to pre-heat the sheet pan before roasting the broccoli. Made all the difference to get it charred but still crispy. Wonderful recipe!
April says
This was a HUGE hit in our house - my kids ate all of it before I even got to have a bite myself!! Definitely making this my go to broccoli recipe.
Suzy says
That's great to hear! Thanks, April!
Jennifer says
Okay, this lemon roasted broccoli is INCREDIBLE. It is so flavorful and easy! We couldn't stop eating it!
Suzy says
Yay! Thanks, Jennifer!
Sara Welch says
Served this with dinner last night and it didn't disappoint! So easy and flavorful; quite possibly the best way to enjoy broccoli!
Suzy says
Thanks, Sara!
Cindy says
Absolutely the best way to make broccoli! Thank you for sharing your tips.
Suzy says
My pleasure, Cindy! Enjoy!!