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

    Do you trim broccolini before cooking? ›

    Yes. 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 the difference between broccolini and broccoli? ›

    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.

    How long should I steam broccolini? ›

    Add about 1 inch of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Add broccolini, cover and steam for about 5 minutes. Remove with tongs, season with salt & pepper, then finish with a drizzle of olive oil, about 1 to 2 tablespoons.

    Is broccolini baby broccoli? ›

    What Is Broccolini? Broccolini is a delicate hybrid developed by a seed company in Japan between conventional broccoli and gai lan, a Chinese broccoli varietal. Broccolini is sometimes called “baby broccoli,” but it is not a young version of broccoli as that name would suggest.

    How do you take the bitterness out of broccolini? ›

    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.

    Are you supposed to eat the stems of broccolini? ›

    The best way to experience the health benefits of broccolini is to eat it raw. The stems, leaves, and florets are all edible. You can also choose to steam your broccolini and serve it as a side to complete a tasty, nutritious meal.

    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).

    How healthy is broccolini? ›

    Broccolini® is the super simple superfood that is rich in folate, fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants and also low in kilojoules, sugars & sodium. It's a delicious way to add more green veg to your diet to help deliver essential nutrients to keep you feeling good.

    Why is broccolini so bitter? ›

    Broccoli rabe's bitter flavor comes from chemical compounds known as glucosinolates, which are found in other bitter greens like kale, collard greens, and mustard greens.

    Is it better to boil or steam broccoli? ›

    Stir-frying and stir-frying/boiling, the two most popular methods for most homemade dishes in China, cause great losses of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C, and glucosinolates, but the steaming method appears the best in retention of the nutrients in cooking broccoli.

    How do you steam broccoli without it getting mushy? ›

    Make sure you don't use more water, otherwise the broccoli will boil rather than steam, making for soggy results. Add your broccoli to the skillet and cover it with a lid. Cook until the broccoli reaches your desired level of tenderness, about 3 to 5 minutes.

    Which is healthier, broccoli or broccolini? ›

    Broccolini, the cousin of broccoli, is the perfect vegetable. Not only is it a milder flavor than traditional broccoli, but it provides more health benefits, too! This hearty green veggie has all these wonderful vitamins and minerals that promote oral and overall health: Vitamins C, B1, B2, B5, B6, E, K, PP.

    What's healthier, asparagus or broccolini? ›

    Vitamin and mineral content.

    Broccoli is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including higher levels of vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium compared to asparagus. These nutrients play important roles in supporting overall health, including immune function, blood clotting, and maintaining healthy bones.

    What is another name for broccolini? ›

    Broccolini, Aspabroc, baby broccoli or tenderstem broccoli, is a green vegetable similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks. It is a hybrid of broccoli and gai lan (which is sometimes referred to as "Chinese kale" or "Chinese broccoli"), both cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea.

    Should you cut broccoli before or after cooking? ›

    Chop your broccoli after you cook it – not before

    Then remove the head from the pot using a pair of tongs, and put it on a chopping board. You'll notice the broccoli florets are already starting to fall away from the stem when the cooking time is up, and the rest can simply be removed with one single chop.

    How do you prune broccolini? ›

    Remove the central portion when it appears in order to promote development of side shoots. Broccolini is susceptible to the same pests and diseases as broccoli.

    Should you trim broccoli? ›

    Pruning generally isn't necessary for broccoli plants. However, you should promptly remove any damaged or diseased stems before they can weaken the whole plant.

    What parts of the broccolini plant are edible? ›

    The entire vegetable can be eaten, from the stems and the florets to the tiny yellow flowers that sometimes appear on mature vegetables. Broccolini can also be eaten raw or cooked.

    References

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