This sautéed broccolini with garlic and lemon is a simple and nutrient-dense side dish that pairs with almost any meal! Plus, it's ready in just 15 minutes!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Broccolini, also called baby broccoli, is a hybrid of broccoli and gai-lan (a type of Chinese broccoli), with long, thin stems, small florets, and a slightly sweeter flavor. It's also nutritionally similar to broccoli; high fiber, low calorie, antioxidant-rich, and an excellent source of nutrients (like vitamins A, C, E, and K, potassium, iron, etc).
Luckily, it's easy to source, tastes great, and is easy to make with minimal prep (no blanching or stem peeling necessary!). It also cooks quickly when tossed in a hot pan with a little oil. The result is a quick, simple, budget-friendly side dish for practically any meal.
Love simple veggie side dishes? You might like bang bang broccoli, brown sugar green beans, or air fryer carrots.
The Ingredients
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, substitutes, and quantities.
How to Flavor Sauteed Broccolini
Flavor Boosters
- Vegan butter (Add a little before serving)
- Red pepper flakes (Or chili/cayenne, hot sauce, or sliced chili also work)
- Herbs (Fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, dried Italian seasoning, oregano, etc.)
- Spices (Smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, ginger, bouillon powder, etc.)
You can also sauté broccolini with asparagus, thinly sliced carrots, or mushrooms. Mushrooms need extra time to cook off liquid before browning.
To Serve
- Vegan cheese (Add nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan to serve)
- Soy glaze (Add 1-2 tablespoon soy sauce + maple syrup + chili flakes in last 2 mins)
- Maple syrup/brown sugar
- Balsamic (Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or glaze)
- Toasted nuts/seeds (slivered almonds, sesame seeds, pine nuts, etc.)
- Vegan feta cheese (to crumble over the lemon garlic broccolini)
How to Sauté Broccolini
Step 1: Rinse and pat dry (to avoid them steaming), then trim the broccolini to remove dry/woody ends (usually ½-1 inch). Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Once hot, sauté the broccolini for 3-4 minutes, tossing often, until bright green and just beginning to soften. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant and tender-crisp.
For more tender broccolini, add 2-3 tablespoon water or broth, cover, and cook for 2-4 minutes to your preferred tenderness.
Step 3: Remove from heat, drizzle with lemon juice, and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings, then serve the garlic lemon broccolini and enjoy!
FAQs
Dry it well after rinsing, use medium-high heat (medium when adding the garlic), and avoid overcrowding the pan.
Generally, it's best to sauté broccolini for 5-8 minutes over medium to medium-high heat, until they're vibrant green and tender-crisp.
Yes. Use about ¼ cup water or broth to "steam-sauté." The texture will be softer.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Use even-sized stalks: For even cooking. Slice thick stems in the middle down the length.
- Cooking time varies: Based on thickness and your preferred doneness (crisp, tender-crisp, tender).
- Don't overcrowd the pan: To avoid steaming and allow it to lightly brown.
- Cook over medium: Moderate heat ensures the garlic doesn't burn.
- If the pan gets dry: I like to add 1 tablespoon water (or broth) instead of more oil.
What To Serve With Sautéed Broccolini
This nutritious side dish pairs with all your dinner favorites:
- Pasta dishes (garlic lemon pasta, vegan white lasagna, orzo, etc.
- Noodles (like simple warm noodles or a noodle stir-fry)
- Grains and similar (risotto, polenta, buddha/ grain bowls, rice/Instant Pot quinoa, etc.)
- Potatoes (Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes or sweet potato mash, vegan scalloped potatoes, roasted or baked potatoes, crispy hasselback potatoes, etc.)
- With 'eggs' (vegan Just Egg omelette, vegan Just Egg frittata, breakfast casserole, etc)
- Mains (Beyone Meat meatloaf, vegan chicken pot pie/ other pies, casseroles, vegan lentil shepherd's pie, vegan steak, marinated or air fryer tofu/tempeh, etc.)
- On a holiday table (Like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas - with mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, vegan candied yams, dairy-free green bean casserole, etc.)
Storage Instructions
Store: In an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freeze: Spread on a tray and flash-freeze until solid, then transfer to a Ziplock/Stasher for up to 3 months. Freeze them slightly undercooked, so they don't become too soft.
Reheat: Sauté in a pan until heated through or microwave in 30-second increments (the latter will soften it).
More Vegetable Side Dishes
If you tried this sauteed broccolini recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Sautéed Broccolini
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccolini trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced or minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the broccolini and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, tossing occasionally, until bright green and just beginning to soften.
- Add the garlic, salt, and black pepper and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Remove the pan from the heat and immediately drizzle in the lemon juice.
- Toss to combine, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Keep the heat moderate so the garlic doesn't burn.
- If the pan gets dry, add a tablespoon of water instead of more oil.
- This pairs well with pasta, grain bowls, or roasted potatoes.
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