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This oven charred broccoli is tender inside with dark, crispy, charred tips and a slightly smoky flavor for an all-purpose broccoli side dish the entire family will enjoy! Plus, it’s ready in just 25 minutes!
Table of contents
Not only is broccoli cheap, nutritious, and available year-round, but this easy charred broccoli requires just 3 ingredients (with several ways to dress it up!) and minimal prep for a tasty broccoli side dish that goes with practically everything!
What is Roasted Broccoli Vs. Charred Broccoli?
We sometimes wonder if oven-charred broccoli came about as a ‘happy accident’, but we won’t question it too much when it’s so dang delicious. But what exactly is it, and how does it differ from oven roasted broccoli?
Roasted broccoli is known for its slightly sweet, nutty, caramelized flavor, lightly crisp edges, and a tender-crisp to tender middle. In comparison, charred broccoli bumps up the heat for a similar cooking method but with more intense blackened/charred edges, extra crunchiness, and a slightly bitter, smoky flavor.
Personally, we LOVE the extra dark, crispy, crunchy, charred edges while still enjoying all the nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants provided by humble broccoli. Best of all, it’s SO simple to make and can even be meal-prepped/ frozen for later!
Keen on trying out other crispy/roasted veggies? Try thyme-roasted veggies, curried butternut squash, and roasted brussel sprouts!
The Ingredients
At its most basic, charred broccoli requires just three ingredients:
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli, separated into florets. You can also make charred broccolini or baby broccoli (and there’s no need to separate them, so the prep is a breeze!).
- Oil: We love using light olive oil, but avocado oil also works well.
- Sea salt: To season the charred broccoli.
Flavored Charred Broccoli Options
Just like a regular oven-roasted broccoli recipe, there are several ways to dress up this charred broccoli recipe to suit any meal.
- Simple seasonings: Easily boost the flavor with any combination of garlic powder, onion powder, chili or cayenne powder, and smoked paprika.
- Lemon Vegan Parmesan: Make it super bright with lemon zest + juice + dairy-free parmesan or nutritional yeast.
- Lemon garlic broccoli: Add some garlic powder to the above flavoring. Minced garlic will work, too, but should only be added in the last few minutes to avoid burn.
- Red pepper flakes: Sprinkle over some chili flakes for heat.
- Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle over breadcrumbs in the last few minutes for crunch.
- Other vegetables: E.g., cauliflower or Brussels sprouts, etc.
How to Make Charred Broccoli?
- 1) First, preheat the oven to 425F/218C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- 2) Then, rinse and separate the broccoli into bite-sized florets, trimming any leaves/tough stems as you do.
The florets don’t need to be 100% even-sized. The difference will add extra textural depth to the oven-charred broccoli, as some will be slightly more tender or not.
- 3) Next, in a large bowl, toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil and sea salt and toss well before spreading it in a single layer over the prepared baking sheet.
- 4) Transfer to the oven to bake for 10 minutes until charred on top, then flip over and roast for a further 10 minutes.
If the broccoli is only just charred on the tips. Either continue to roast for up to 10 minutes extra OR turn on the broiler for a minute or two per side. Monitor the broiled broccoli, though, as it can burn easily.
Bonus: Skillet Charred Broccoli
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat with a swirl of oil.
- Once hot, add the broccoli in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) and cook it, using a heavy item to press down on the florets for the best char.
- Once browned underneath, flip and cook until tender-crisp with blackened, charred spots.
FAQs
Honestly, we haven’t tried. However, if you allow it to thaw and pat it dry, then it should work, though the broccoli is generally more tender inside.
Yes, to both. The stalk can be a little tough, though, so you may want to peel and slice it into thin strips. Alternatively, add either/both to soups and stews, use them in homemade vegetable stock, sauté or steam them, or even turn them into pesto.
Yes! While there is general knowledge that certain burned foods contain carcinogens, as far as we can tell from research, many vegetables don’t contain the element that becomes carcinogenic when burned/charred.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Don’t crowd the baking sheet: If the florets are too close, they’ll steam. Use two pans if necessary and rotate/swap their position if needed.
- For maximum browning: Cut some or all the florets in half lengthwise so one side is flat to maximize the surface area in contact with the sheet pan (aka maximum browning!).
- Use a dark roasting pan: It will absorb more heat than lighter pans, browning and caramelizing the florets quicker than a light pan.
- Broil if necessary: If you want extra char and crispy edges. Monitor the broiled broccoli, though, to avoid overly burning it.
How to Store?
Charred broccoli/ charred broccolini is best straight out of the oven. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in freezer-safe Ziplock/Stasher bags in the freezer for 4-6 months.
To reheat it, pop it back in the oven (just a few minutes at 375F/190C) or on the stovetop with a hint of oil—until warmed through.
What to Serve with Charred Broccoli?
Enjoy this simple broccoli side dish anywhere you want to add some greens to a meal, including:
- In or alongside pasta dishes like pesto pasta, mac n’ cheese, lasagna, etc.
- As part of a grain bowl with rice or quinoa
- Add to cold grain salads like quinoa salad or couscous salad
- To dip – with vegan garlic aioli, sriracha vegan mayo, etc.
- On your holiday table (like Thanksgiving or Christmas)
- Create a nutritionally balanced meal alongside your choice of protein and carbs
- Alongside a loaded vegan baked potato/ sweet potato
More Vegan Broccoli Recipes
- Creamy Vegan Broccoli Soup
- Broccoli and onion pakora
- Broccoli and potato soup
- Vegan Broccoli Salad
- Easy Stir-Fry Vegetables
- One-Pot Tofu Yellow Curry
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Oven Charred Broccoli
Ingredients
- 6 cups of broccoli florets
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, toss broccoli florets with olive oil and sea salt. Then spread the broccoli florets in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Roast for 10 minutes until broccoli is charred, then flip the florets. Roast for 10 minutes until charred on the other side.
Notes
- Don’t crowd the baking sheet: If the florets are too close, they’ll steam. Use two pans if necessary and rotate/swap their position if needed.
- For maximum browning: Cut some or all the florets in half lengthwise so one side is flat to maximize the surface area in contact with the sheet pan (aka maximum browning!).
- Use a dark roasting pan: It will absorb more heat than lighter pans, browning and caramelizing the florets quicker than a light pan.
- Broil if necessary: If you want extra char and crispy edges. Monitor the broiled broccoli, though, to avoid overly burning it.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
This oven-charred broccoli is so simple and delicious!
Gotta love the simplicity of this broccoli dish!
A quick, easy and delicious way to prepare broccoli. We love this dish.
Yesss! Such a great way to enjoy your greens!
Love this broccoli!