The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (2024)

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Katerina

5 from 6 votes

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This easy recipe features tender-crisp broccolini cooked with garlic and butter, then topped with lemon zest and fresh parsley. Sauteed broccolini takes minutes to make, and it’s one of the tastiest ways to enjoy this delicious veggie.

The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (2)

This super-simple broccolini recipe is just perfect for those busy, time-crunch dinners! All you have to do is give the broccolini a rinse, and cut off any tough stems. Then it’s ready for a quick saute in butter, with a blast of flavor from fresh garlic and lemon.

    Why I Love This Broccolini Recipe

    • Quick and Convenient: With a total preparation and cooking time of just 10 minutes, this sautéed broccolini recipe is perfect for those hectic evenings when time is scarce.
    • Flavorful and Nutritious: Combining the fresh taste of broccolini with the rich flavors of garlic, lemon, and butter, this recipe delivers a deliciously wholesome side dish.
    • Versatile Side Dish: Its ease of preparation and delightful taste make this broccolini recipe a versatile companion to a wide range of main courses, enhancing any meal.

    What Is Broccolini?

    Broccolini, a hybrid between traditional broccoli and Chinese broccoli, features long, tender stalks with crunchy florets. It offers a taste similar to regular broccoli but with a slightly sweeter flavor. Not only is it delicious, but broccolini is also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins A and C, folate, iron, and potassium, all while being low in calories, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious individuals. (Source)

    Recipe Ingredients

    When you see a nice, short ingredient list, you know it’s gonna be a good dish, amirite? I love how easy and fast it is to get this on the table.

    • Broccolini: For this recipe, you’ll need 1 to 1.5 pounds of fresh broccolini.
    • Butter: I use a tablespoon of real butter for this sauté.
    • Salt and Pepper: To taste.
    • Garlic: Fresh garlic, lightly chopped, adds so much flavor!
    • Water: A half a cup of water is needed for creating a steamy environment to tenderize the broccolini.
    • Lemon Zest: This makes a lovely optional garnish.
    • Lemon Wedges: Optional, for serving.

    How to Cook Broccolini

    This dish comes together in one skillet for a quick prep. Be sure to have your skillet lid on hand, and take care not to let the butter burn while sautéing. Pro tip: add a touch of high-heat oil, like avocado oil, to the butter to help prevent scorching.

    The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (3)
    The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (4)
    1. Prep Broccolini: Rinse the broccolini well and pat it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Cut off the bottom third of the broccolini stems and discard. Set the broccolini aside.
    2. Sauté Broccolini: Melt the pat of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is heated, add the prepared broccolini to the butter, and saute for 5 or 6 minutes, until the broccolini turns bright green and the stems and tops are lightly browned.
    3. Season: Season the dish with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped garlic and toss lightly to coat.
    4. Steam: Add the water to the skillet and cover. This will trap the steam in the skillet. Cook this way for 1 to 2 minutes, or until broccolini is crisp-tender.
    5. Serve: Transfer the veggies to a serving dish, garnish with lemon zest and serve with lemon wedges.

    Recipe Tips And Variations

    • Choose Fresh: Broccolini should have firm, tightly packed florets and fresh green stems that are firm and unblemished. Steer clear of yellowed, limp, or spotted stalks of broccolini.
    • Substitutions: For a vegan version of this dish, you can simply use avocado oil, olive oil, or vegan butter. You can also use lime zest and wedges rather than lemon, and even use broccoli florets instead of broccolini!
    • Mix-In Magic: Dress up the dish by adding sliced mushrooms with the broccolini, topping with freshly grated Parmesan, or garnishing with thinly julienned basil.
    The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (5)

    Serving Suggestions

    If you need something to serve with this broccolini side dish, this Creamy Pork Marsala is perfect, as are these rich and savory Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. This delicious vegetarian Macedonian Shakshuka or Chicken Orzo Recipe pairs well with sautéed broccolini.

    How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

    • To Store: Cool the broccolini to room temperature, and then place it into food storage bags or shallow, airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to 6 months.
    • To Reheat: thaw broccolini overnight in the refrigerator (if frozen). Then, heat a spoonful of olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the broccolini and toss to coat. Cover and cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

    More Healthy Side Dishes to Try

    • Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges
    • Maple Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
    • Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Dressing and Feta Cheese
    • Grilled Vegetables with Halloumi
    • Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

    The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (6)

    Sauteed Garlic Broccolini

    Katerina | Diethood

    Enjoy a blend of tender broccolini sautéed in butter, infused with fresh garlic, and a hint of lemon in this simple yet flavorful Sauteed Garlic Broccolini dish.

    Rate this Recipe!

    Servings : 4

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

    Prep Time 5 minutes mins

    Cook Time 10 minutes mins

    Total Time 15 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound broccolini
    • 1.5 tablespoons butter
    • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste
    • 3 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
    • ½ cup water, or vegetable broth
    • chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
    • lemon zest, for garnish
    • lemon wedges, for serving

    Instructions

    • Rinse and pat dry the broccolini.

    • Cut off the bottom third of the broccolini and discard. Set the broccolini aside.

    • Melt butter in a skillet set over medium-high heat.

    • Once butter is heated, add broccolini to the butter and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, or until bright green and stems are lightly browned. Stir occasionally.

    • Season the broccolini with salt and pepper.

    • Stir in garlic and toss around to coat.

    • Add water to the skillet; cover and cook for 2 minutes or until the broccolini is crisp-tender.

    • Remove from heat and transfer the broccolini to a plate.

    • Garnish with parsley and lemon zest; serve with lemon wedges.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 88 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 11 mg | Sodium: 363 mg | Potassium: 12 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 2133 IU | Vitamin C: 105 mg | Calcium: 87 mg | Iron: 1 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Side Dish

    Cuisine: Japanese

    Keyword: broccolini recipe, how to cook broccolini, sauteed broccoli, sauteed broccolini, vegetable side dishes, veggie side dish, what is broccolini

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Appetizers
    • Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Thanksgiving
    • Vegetarian
    The Best Sauteed Garlic Broccolini Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What do you season broccoli with? ›

    Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for best results, but you can also use frozen broccoli. I recommend decreasing the cooking time by 30 to 60 seconds if using frozen broccoli. Seasonings: These could include melted butter, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and/or zest, salt, pepper, garlic, or shredded cheese.

    What is the 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.

    Do you have to cut the stems of broccolini? ›

    Cooking with broccolini is a dream. It requires a lot less prep than regular broccoli does—no stem-peeling necessary, all you have to do is cut off the last inch or so from the bunch and you're good to go.

    How do restaurants make their broccoli taste so good? ›

    How do restaurants make broccoli taste so good? As with everything made by chefs, they have unexpected (read: unhealthy) additions to their meals — mostly butter, oil and heaps of salt. An excellent tip for the perfect broccoli is the blanching step.

    What enhances the taste of broccoli? ›

    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.

    How do you take the bitterness out of broccolini? ›

    How Do You Reduce the Bitter Taste of Broccoli Rabe? 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.

    Is broccolini healthier than broccoli? ›

    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.

    Are baby broccoli and broccolini the same thing? ›

    Often called baby broccoli, broccolini is a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese broccoli (kai lan) that was developed and trademarked in 1993 by Japan's Sakata Seed Corporation. And you may have heard of Tenderstem broccoli — that is just a trademarked name for broccolini.

    Why is broccolini so expensive? ›

    Because of its newness and because it provides less quantity in a stalk, broccolini is typically more expensive than broccoli. Substitutes for broccolini are traditional broccoli, Chinese broccoli, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, and asparagus (because broccolini's sweeter flavor is similar to asparagus' sweeter notes).

    Why is broccolini so good? ›

    Broccolini is also high in both calcium and magnesium, which help to regulate your blood pressure. As a cruciferous vegetable, it is high in fiber. Fiber keeps you full for longer periods of time, helps you digest food properly, and prevents constipation. It also keeps your blood sugar at a low level.

    What is the Chinese name for broccolini? ›

    Broccolini®, also known as baby broccoli, is a popular new Brassica crop on the market. It is a hybrid of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) and gai lan (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) also known as Chinese broccoli, Chinese kale, or kailaan.

    Why is my broccolini tough? ›

    The ends of stalks are usually quite tough so trim off and discard about half an inch of the bottom of the stem. The rest of the broccolini is tender and edible. To ensure even cooking, I like to cut the stems lengthwise to make them a bit thinner.

    What is baby broccoli called? ›

    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).

    Why is broccolini called broccolini? ›

    Broccolini (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is a member of the Brassica genus, alongside broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. It was developed in 1993 in Yokohama, Japan, as the result of plant breeding—broccoli and Chinese kale (kai lan) were combined to create a more flavorsome brassica.

    How do you perk up broccoli? ›

    A quick soak in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes is often enough to reinvigorate wilted veggies. Bendy carrots will straighten right up, lettuce will crisp, and limp broccoli will find its strength again.

    What can you season vegetables with? ›

    Salt is the bare minimum, and the right amount will make a huge difference. Add salt gradually and taste as you go, they should taste more flavourful but not outright salty. Try herbs and spices like paprika, cumin, oregano, chilli powder, curry powder, basil and more.

    What is broccoli loaded with? ›

    Broccoli is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Its health benefits range from potentially lowering blood sugar levels to aiding in cancer prevention and promoting joint health.

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