Oven Roasted Broccoli: The Perfect Side Dish!

Create a simple yet flavorful oven-roasted broccoli side dish with this easy recipe. Toss broccoli florets and stems with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. It’s the perfect side dish for busy weeknight dinners. 

This easy side dish is great with veal scallopini, baked chicken thighs, or baked codfish.

As a mom and a dietitian, I know how challenging it can be to get kids to eat their vegetables. 

When my kids were young, this easy broccoli recipe was a lifesaver for my husband and me.

Like this parmesan roasted cauliflower, it’s simple to make and requires minimal ingredients and prep time. The best part is that both kids and adults love it! 

While the oven is preheating, prep the broccoli by cutting it into bite-sized florets and then bake for this hassle-free baked broccoli recipe.

As you make this recipe, you will soon realize three extraordinary things.

Firstly, the irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen as the broccoli roasts with the garlic in the oven.

Secondly, the way the broccoli transforms from a plain vegetable into a delectable side dish, with its crispy edges and tender insides. This truly is the best way to cook broccoli!

Lastly, the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve created not only a delicious and nutritious side but also a crowd-pleaser that may make broccoli the star of the meal.

This truly is the best way to cook broccoli!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Let’s prep our recipe
• Step-by-step directions
• Tips
• FAQ
• More broccoli recipes
• Recipe inspiration
• Best vegetables to roast together
• Recipe

Ingredients

• Broccoli: I like to make the most of the entire broccoli. I trim the stalk and prepare it with the florets to ensure nothing goes to waste, making it a sustainable and wholesome side dish.
• Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil coats the broccoli florets, promoting even browning during roasting.
• Garlic: Sliced or minced garlic is included to infuse the broccoli with a delightful, aromatic garlic flavor during roasting. It complements the broccoli’s earthy notes.
• Lemon juice: I love to drizzle freshly squeezed lemon juice for a zesty taste.
• Salt and black pepper: To taste. These seasonings are essential for enhancing the taste of the broccoli. 

As far as kitchen accessories are concerned, you will need a chopping board, a knife, a sheet pan, and some kitchen tongs.

Let’s prep our recipe

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and set the oven rack in the middle. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

For this recipe, you will need 2 medium heads of broccoli.

Broccoli stem: First, trim the bottom of the stem and remove any tough, woody parts. Gently peel the outer skin using a knife or vegetable peeler. Once peeled, slice the stem into thin sticks or rounds, depending on your preference. Transfer to a colander. 

Broccoli florets: Hold the broccoli head and slice off the florets with a bit of the stem, keeping them bite-sized. You can also cut the larger florets in half to ensure even cooking. Transfer to a colander. 

Now that the broccoli is cut into bite-sized pieces give it a good rinse and pat it dry. Transfer both the stem and the florets to the parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Garlic cloves: Peel and thinly slice or mince 2 garlic cloves. Add it to the broccoli. 

Step-by-step directions

Drizzle the broccoli and garlic with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and the juice of half a lemon (1-2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice). Toss broccoli and garlic thoroughly for even browning during roasting.

Season the broccoli with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to ensure it’s evenly seasoned.

Spread your broccoli in a single layer over a sheet pan. 

A general rule of thumb for roasting any vegetable, including this oven-roasted broccoli, is to bake until the ends are brown and tender-crisp. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes in an oven set at 425 degrees F.

Then, pull them out of the oven and give them a little squirt of lemon juice.

Don’t skip this step – the lemon juice does a fabulous job of bringing all of the other flavors out. If you like, you can also drizzle with a little olive oil and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

And… that’s it! It is a simple, delicious, and healthy side dish.

Tips

• Trim the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces so there is plenty of surface area for the broccoli to caramelize.
• For best results, use a large pan and arrange the broccoli in a single layer without overcrowding.
• Make sure the entire surface of the broccoli and garlic is coated with olive oil and lemon juice for the best results.

FAQ

More broccoli recipes

Broccoli Fritters: Crispy and savory, these make a great side dish by blending broccoli florets with a seasoned batter and then baked to golden perfection.

Creamy Broccoli Soup: Creamy broccoli soup is a comforting blend of broccoli, potatoes, onions, milk and stock, resulting in a satisfying soup perfect for any season.

Skillet Broccoli: This easy side dish recipe with garlic and toasted sesame seeds is simple and delicious. It will quickly become one of your favorite vegetable sides!

Recipe inspiration

As I have implied above, this recipe for oven-roasted broccoli was a family favorite when my kids were growing up. Having such a reliable recipe to fall back on during the busy nights meant I had more space in my brain to be mentally present during family dinners. And that led to some truly cherished memories of sharing meals with my kids.

Broccoli, as I’m sure you’re well aware, is a super-food, chock full of vitamins and minerals, and generally one of the healthiest foods! It almost feels like cheating to have raised two kids with this quick and easy oven-roasted broccoli recipe.

I adapted this roasted broccoli recipe from this recipe. Naturally, I increased the amounts of both garlic and olive oil used in the recipe. I also increased the temperature of the oven. 

I have been making this oven-roasted broccoli for decades, and I think I’ll be making it for many decades to come. Nothing beats the simplicity and the taste of this baked broccoli. 

I’m sure this will quickly become a family favorite in your home, as it did in mine.

★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for the best way to cook broccoli, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Best vegetables to roast together

Recipe

I originally published this post on January 29, 2018, and republished it on November 6, 2023, with updated content and photos. Thanks for sharing!