Lemon Garlic Roasted Broccoli (Printable)

Crisp-tender broccoli roasted with garlic and lemon, offering a vibrant, zesty complement to any meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh broccoli florets

→ Aromatics

02 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Oils & Seasonings

03 - 3 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
05 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing

06 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
07 - Optional: 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven temperature to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets with olive oil, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper, tossing until evenly coated.
03 - Spread the coated broccoli in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Roast in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through until tender and edges turn lightly browned.
05 - Remove broccoli from the oven, drizzle immediately with lemon juice, sprinkle with lemon zest, and toss gently to combine.
06 - If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the warm broccoli before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns skeptics into broccoli believers with those crispy, caramelized edges that taste almost indulgent.
  • You only need one bowl and one pan, so cleanup is faster than the cooking.
  • The lemon zest adds a pop of freshness that makes even weeknight dinners feel a little special.
02 -
  • Don't skip the flip halfway through, I learned this the hard way when one side stayed pale and soggy while the other burned.
  • Add the lemon juice after roasting, not before, or the acid will make the broccoli drab and olive-colored instead of vibrant green.
  • If your florets are different sizes, the small ones will char before the big ones are tender, so take an extra minute to cut them evenly.
03 -
  • Use the biggest baking sheet you have so the broccoli has space to breathe, crowding traps steam and you'll end up with mush instead of crisp.
  • Zest the lemon before you juice it, trust me on this, it's nearly impossible to zest a deflated lemon half.
  • If you want an extra layer of flavor, toss the roasted broccoli with a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil right before serving.
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