Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Simple and delicious, this is a great dish that allows you to enjoy this amazing vegetable in its purest form. Pair it with any protein or side of your choosing for a healthy, hearty meal.
What is Broccolini?
Making an emergence in the early ’90s, broccolini, the hybrid cross of the humble broccoli (identified by its thick stalk and large and wide crown of florets) and Chinese broccoli (identified by it’s long stalks, large green leaves and small florets) broccolini features tender broccoli florets and long thin stems and with small leaves. Being almost fully edible, prepping this veggie takes just a few minutes making it a great hassle-free, multipurpose veggie that you can enjoy as a side or include it into dishes such as curries and stir-fries.
💕 Why you’re going to love this recipe:
- This veggie is so easy to prepare and cooks up in no time. 12-15 minutes and you’re done!
- Broccolini has a wonderfully mild and sweet taste to it with great earthy/grassy notes.
- It is high in antioxidants and nutrients including vitamin A, C, as well as fiber.
- Broccolini is naturally low in calories and carbs making it great for people with diabetes.
- Even better, this dish is vegan/vegetarian friendly as well as keto-friendly, gluten-free and paleo friendly! It’s perfect for almost all diets!
- You can adjust your seasoning to taste and use/add in any of your favorite seasonings or flavors.
To make this simple side you’ll need the following:
- Broccolini: A bunch of fresh broccolini is ideal for this recipe. A good thing to note is that 1 bunch of broccolini (like in the above image ^ ) is usually just enough for 2 people so it’s easy to adjust your portion sizes to suit.
- Coconut Oil: or any clean label neutral oil (peanut or extra light olive oil are great options).
- Garlic: Fresh grains sliced thin are the best choice however you can also use Roasted Garlic or if preferred dehydrated garlic.
- Salt: I’m using my favorite Himalayan Pink but you can also use sea salt.
- Pepper: Fresh or pre-ground black pepper works great.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional but it adds a great bite of spice.
- Lemon Wedges: (Optional) this makes a great garnish and adds a wonderfully bright citrus pop which pairs well with the pepper and the earthy flavor of the broccolini.
🥦 How to prep your Broccolini 🥦
Prepping your broccolini is easy. Simply rinse them under cold water, shake and pat them dry and snip off about ½” – 1″ of the ends of each stem. If your stems are thicker, split them down the middle lengthwise through the thickest part to help them cook faster and ensure they’re tender.
Let’s make this simple side!
Break out your skillet and add your coconut oil to it. Let the oil melt and get shimmering hot.
Add in your prepped broccolini and toss to coat in the oil.
Allow your stalks to cook for 5-8 minutes, they will start to brighten in color.
Once the stalk ends are just about tender, add in your garlic, salt, pepper and pepper flakes and toss to season. Then, cover your skillet and turn off the heat and allow your broccolini to rest for 2-3 minutes.
Serve your florets with wedges of lemon for a light and citrus-bright pop of freshness and serve with any other pairings of your choosing. One of my favorite pairings for this dish are my Teriyaki Beef Bowls. The sweet and salty richness of the ground beef pairs perfectly with the earthiness and acidity of the citrus for an amazing balance of all flavor elements.
Easy Sautéed Broccolini
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 tsp Himalayan salt to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- lemon wedges to garnish
Instructions
- Prep your Broccolini: Rinse your broccolini under cool water. Shake and pat your florets dry and then snip about 1" off of the end of each of the stems.
- Sauté your Broccolini: Set a skillet onto med-high heat and add your coconut oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the broccolini and toss to coat in the oil. Let cook for 5-7 minutes, turning and moving them around the pan every few minutes to ensure an even cook. They should be a vibrant green color.
- Season: Turn off the heat and add the garlic and season to taste with salt and pepper then cover your pan and allow the broccolini to rest for 2-3 minutes and steam just a little. Using a sharp knife, gently pierce the base of the stalks. If they are tender, your broccolini is done.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with wedges of lemon and serve your broccolini immediately.
- Storage: If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
