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Grilled Broccoli

Grilled broccoli with charred florets and crispy edges, tossed in lemon-garlic seasoning for bright, savory flavor. Blanching first keeps the centers tender while the grill delivers caramelized char marks.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 130
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Broccoli
  • 2 large heads broccoli Cut into large florets
Seasoning
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic Minced
  • 1 lemon zest Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice Juice of 1 lemon
  • 0.5 tsp salt Salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper Pepper to taste
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes Optional
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese For serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Blanch the broccoli
  1. Bring a pot of boiling water to a rolling boil, then add the broccoli florets and blanch for 2 minutes. The florets should brighten to a vivid green.
  2. Drain the broccoli well immediately after blanching and spread it on a sheet pan in a single layer. Let any steam dissipate so excess moisture doesn’t prevent charring.
Season
  1. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. The florets should look glossy and well seasoned.
  2. If using, sprinkle in red pepper flakes and toss again for even heat distribution. Keep the seasonings clinging so they caramelize on the grill.
Grill and finish
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, then place the broccoli on the grates. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until charred with tender-crisp centers.
  2. Transfer the grilled broccoli to a serving platter right away. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese, if desired, to finish.

Notes

Pro tip: blanching for exactly 2 minutes keeps the broccoli tender so it chars without turning mushy. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat briefly on a hot grill or in a skillet for best texture. Freezing isn’t recommended because the florets lose crispness. For a lighter option, use olive oil spray instead of the full olive oil amount.