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's 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 cut broccolini before cooking? ›

    How to Prep Broccolini for Cooking. What I love about Broccolini is how easy it is to prepare and how little waste there is. You simply trim the stems by about a half-inch and you're good to go.

    How do you eat broccolini? ›

    Broccolini can be eaten raw or cooked, though most people enjoy it cooked as a side dish. The whole vegetable is edible. Common cooking methods for broccolini include steaming, stir-frying, roasting, and sauteing.

    Is broccolini better raw or cooked? ›

    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.

    Is broccolini healthier than broccoli? ›

    The verdict. 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.

    Why is broccolini so much better than broccoli? ›

    It contains compounds like sulforaphane that are responsible for many of its health benefits, especially its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Eating broccolini may also support heart health and blood sugar control. Compared to broccoli, broccolini tastes sweeter, with a mild flavor and more delicate texture.

    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.

    Why is my broccolini tough? ›

    Broccolini still need some blanching to be tender enough. People often just briefly steam them instead of boiling a whole pot of water. After that you can just toss them a bit in a pan with whatever, or roast them in the oven if you prefer.

    Can you eat too much broccolini? ›

    As broccoli is rich in Potassium that causes lowering of blood pressure, an excess consumption can result in hypotension. An excess broccoli consumption can also increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Patient on blood thinners can have increased risk of bleeding due to the presence of Vitamin K in broccoli.

    Why does broccolini taste so good? ›

    It's mellower and less bitter than standard-issue broccoli, with a mild sweetness much more akin to Chinese broccoli. But our favorite part of broccolini is its texture. The long stems have a pleasant crunch, and the ratio of stem to leaf to bud is pretty perfect, if you ask us.

    What is the white stuff on my broccolini? ›

    White blister is a fungal disease caused by Albugo candida. It affects many brassica crops including broccoli and cauliflower and some brassica weeds. In Western Australia it has been found in all major growing regions.

    Is broccolini good for weight loss? ›

    A serving has just 35 calories and, even better, broccolini is a non-starchy vegetable, so you can eat as much as you want while staying on track to your weight loss goal.

    Is broccolini just baby broccoli? ›

    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). It looks a lot like Chinese broccoli—the stalks are long and lean—but instead of big leaves, it has florets more like common broccoli.

    Can I eat broccolini everyday? ›

    Rich in folate

    Just half a cup of cooked Broccolini® provides nearly half of your recommended daily amout of folate. Here are some benefits of consuming folate rich Broccolini® daily. Folate energises the mind and body by supporting psychological function and reducing fatigue*.

    Does broccoli and broccolini taste the same? ›

    Taste: Broccoli has a slightly bittersweet flavor and thick, meaty stems. Broccolini is milder and sweeter than broccoli, with firm, crunchy stems, and leafy florets. Broccoli rabe has a strong, bitter taste throughout, from its stems to its leaves.

    What two vegetables make up broccolini? ›

    Broccolini is actually a cross-breed of broccoli and Chinese broccoli, a leafy vegetable commonly referred to as gai lan in Cantonese or jie lan in Mandarin. You get the florets found in broccoli and the longer stems and leaves found in Chinese broccoli. It's a pretty logical mix of the two.

    Does broccoli turn into broccolini? ›

    Despite what you may have heard, Broccolini is not baby broccoli. This lanky vegetable is a hybrid first created in 1993. Broccolini a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has small florets, long stalks, and a few small leaves — all of which are edible.

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