The Trick For The Best Roasted Broccoli Of Your Life Is All In The Preparation

Broccoli can be a bit polarizing. Some of us love it and some of us, well, not so much. It's bitter and super fibrous, with some incredible strength in those little florets. Steaming broccoli in the microwave is super easy and will tenderize it and remove some of the bitterness, but still leaves a little to be desired. So, the trick for the best roasted broccoli — to highlight its positive attributes and tamp down a bit on the bitterness and sour sulfur properties — is roast your broccoli, then layer on the flavors.

Roasting your broccoli to a fairly dark, golden brown will bring out some sweetness, while retaining its natural vegetal flavor, and still leave it a bit crunchy, rather than baby-food-soft. Olive oil will bring out the umami, and adding more flavors and ingredients will tick more boxes — sour, salty, even sweet. It just takes a simple mix in a bowl once it's out of the oven. First, choose the best broccoli at the grocery store — you want it fresh, bright green, and super firm. You can thoroughly and safely clean your broccoli with things you already have in the pantry, then you're ready to go with just a little extra prep. This delicious broccoli recipe goes with just about any protein you can think of. It's a super easy process, and once you have your roast down, you can experiment with new flavors — and maybe add some cauliflower or Brussels sprouts to the mix.

Get your broccoli ready — cut the florets so there's an inch or so of stalk left under each. You don't have to worry about waste, there are plenty of delicious ways to snack on leftover broccoli stalks. From there, drizzle the florets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then roast on a baking sheet with sliced garlic at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until crispy on the edges and slightly tender all the way through.

When it's out of the oven, it's time to layer on the flavors, and all you have to do is toss the florets in a bowl with more ingredients. Depending on how dry your broccoli is, you'll probably want a little extra olive oil. Citrus is always a good addition to counteract the bitterness. Lemon juice with lemon zest is an easy go-to, but if you're looking for more sweetness, a mixture of orange juice and honey will help hit even more flavor centers on the tongue. From here, it's time for added salty and savory flavors. Parmesan and pine nuts are a good bet for more flavor, texture, and a touch of tanginess. If you want more salt and umami, try soy sauce or ponzu. And, for the final death knell of deliciousness, add some herbs — fresh chopped basil will give your dish some brightness, but a mixture of dried Italian herbs will also tie in nicely, or go spicy with some chile flakes. It just takes an easy roast and some extra preparation to take your broccoli to a new dimension.