How to Make the Perfect Oven Roasted Broccoli

Oven Roasted Broccoli is a game changer. It takes this humble vegetable to a new flavor level with it’s incredibly nutty flavor. Once you try this, you’ll never want steamed broccoli again.

Ever have those nights when you’re trying to pull together a dinner and you’re having trouble figuring out how to round out the meal? You want to pair something with one of your main dishes but you’re not sure what to do. I’ve had those nights myself!

Whenever I end up in that spot, I often look for a simple side dish. My personal preference in this situation is to grab a favorite vegetable or two and roast in the oven. Roasted cauliflower is great and roasted brussels sprouts are always tasty.

But, my go-to is usually this easy roasted broccoli recipe. It’s a healthy side dish, it’s easy to make and it uses simple ingredients found in your pantry. Or, at the very least, ingredients easily found at your local grocery store.

How to Make Roasted Broccoli

Best Method to Roast

My favorite way to roast broccoli is in the oven. You can certainly grill if you’ve got good weather and roasting in an air fryer is always an option. But, for an easy broccoli recipe (i.e., ease of making and cleanup), I prefer the oven roasting method.

How to Prepare the Broccoli

I find most of the flavor and the best texture is in the broccoli crowns. I really don’t like having much of the broccoli stems when I roast. So, I will take a head of broccoli, and cut off most of the stems so I’m just left with the crowns.

Doing this also gives you better bite size pieces of broccoli. Sometimes those broccoli heads can be pretty big and have larger pieces than you want. So, cutting them up helps make them easier to eat.

How to Season Roasted Broccoli

The great thing about this oven-roasted broccoli recipe, is that you can season the broccoli pieces pretty much any way you want. For this recipe, I use salt and pepper as the seasoning. Simple, easy and you probably have salt and pepper around the house!

But, get as creative as you like:

• Once out of the oven, sprinkle on some parmesan cheese.
• Once cooked, cover with lemon zest for a citrusy flavor. Or, cut up some lemon wedges and put a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the broccoli prior to serving.
• Put a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on the broccoli prior to roasting for a little heat.
• Use garlic powder to bring a little different flavor to the roasted broccoli.

How to Make Crispy Broccoli

For the crispiest roasted broccoli, you definitely want to coat the broccoli pieces in a little olive oil before putting into a hot oven. This serves two purposes.

First, it’s a great way to get your spices to stick to the broccoli. Once, I’ve cut up the broccoli, I put the crowns right on a large backing sheet, cover with a little olive oil and mix together with my hands. That makes sure the pieces are fully covered with the olive oil.

Then, I season with the salt and pepper (or whatever you want to use). Those seasonings stick right to the broccoli.

Second, the olive oil helps brown the broccoli once in the oven. Without the olive oil, it may take too long for the broccoli to get that great color and you end up with overcooked, soggy broccoli.

How to Store Roasted Broccoli

Once the broccoli has cooked and cooled to room temperature, simply put into an airtight container and put in the fridge. It will be good for 3-4 days.

​When ready to serve, simply heat up in the microwave. Or, they’re great at room temperature in a salad (one of my favorite ways of eating them!), such as this Bacon Cashew Broccoli Salad or this Roasted Broccoli Summer Salad.

Tips and Tricks

• I don’t recommend using frozen broccoli, it will not stand up to oven roasting like fresh broccoli will. Roasting fresh broccoli will produce a crisp tender vegetable, but frozen broccoli will end up with a mushy texture.
• A bag of fresh pre-cut broccoli is a great time saver.
• Even with fresh broccoli you want to be careful not to overcook it if you’re looking for a crisp tender texture.
• To add a slight citrus flavor to the broccoli, substitute lemon pepper for black pepper.

Ingredients Needed to Make Perfect Oven Roasted Broccoli

Full instructions can be found below in the printable recipe card

• Fresh Broccoli – To save time, buy fresh pre-cut broccoli.
• Olive Oil – This imparts more flavor to the broccoli than vegetable oil.
• Salt – This enhances the flavor of the broccoli.
• Black pepper – Substitute lemon pepper if you’d like a touch of citrus flavor added.

How to Make Oven Roasted Broccoli

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Toss broccoli florets with olive oil.
• Season with salt and pepper
• Spread broccoli florets evenly, in a single layer, on a sheet pan.
• Roast in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, until crisp tender and the broccoli is starting to turn a golden brown color.

What to Serve with Oven Roasted Broccoli

• Skillet Chicken with Creamy Mustard Sauce
• Pan Seared Tilapia
• Beer Braised Pot Roast
• Cheddar Cheese Ranch Chicken Thighs with Bacon