Charred Broccolini with Lemon & Chili

My Charred Broccolini, flavored with lemon and chili, is one of my family's favorite side dishes. This versatile veggie side not only tastes great but it goes with everything and anything! Gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

This easy side is one of the quickest in my repertoire. Only 2 minutes prep and 8 minutes to cook. Any dish that can be cooked and on the table in 10 minutes is a winner for me.

With this method you par-boil the broccolini first to make sure it is perfectly tender. Then you char it in a screaming hot pan.

Plain, steamed or boiled broccoli never goes down well with my kids, however charring adds that extra level of flavor, along with the lemon juice and they love it. You can always leave the chili off the kids plates.

Why You'll Love Charred Broccolini

• Prepared and on the table in 10 minutes, this is an ideal weeknight veggie side.

• This recipe uses only 4 simple ingredients and a pinch of salt.

• Charred broccolini tastes great on its own, but with the lemon and chili added, it becomes an explosion of flavor.

• This side is a hit with both adults and children alike, as the charring adds an extra layer of flavor.

• Looking for inspiration for other easy vegetable side dishes then why not try ...
  • Green Beans with Lemon & Almonds
  • Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
  • Honey Roasted Parsnips
  • Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Gluten Free Cauliflower Cheese
  • Easy Buttered Kale
  • Easy Grilled Asparagus

Chargrilled Broccolini Ingredients

Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.

Broccolini - use any variety of broccolini, purple stem would work here too. You can also use a regular head of broccoli, just cut it into even sized florets.

Olive Oil - I've used extra virgin olive oil as EVOO has the best nutty, fresh flavor. However, you could also use EV, avocado oil or any other oil.

Lemon - Freshly squeezed lemon juice has the best flavor. You could also add the lemon zest as well as juice for added zing.

Chili - I've used red jalapeño chili, but any variety of chili will work. If you like it hot use a hotter chili.

How to Make Charred Broccolini - Step-By-Step

Find the full printable recipe card below.

Clean and trim broccolini then boil in a pan of salted boiling water for 3 minutes.

Meanwhile heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet or large saucepan over a high heat until its smoking hot.

Drain the baby broccoli really well. Then carefully place it into the pan of hot oil. Leave to char on a medium-high heat without moving for 2 minutes then turn with tongs and leave for a further 2 minutes.

Smaller broccolini will cook faster - it will be starting to char at the edges when done.

Arrange on a serving platter and drizzle over a little extra olive oil, the lemon juice and chili slices. Scatter over a little sea salt and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is broccolini?

Broccolini is a cross between regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli which has much longer stems. It is also called tenderstem broccoli in the UK. You can also make this recipe with regular broccoli, and the original Chinese broccoli is also delicious cooked this way.

How to prepare broccolini?

The stem, leaves and florets are all edible. So start by cleaning the broccolini in cold water. Then trim into even sized stems, removing any hard pieces of stem.

Is charred the same as burnt or blackened?

To char food is to brown or burn it slightly, until the edges start to catch and brown a little.

Not to be confused with blackened broccolini. Blackened is when a specific cajun spice blend is added to the broccolini to coat it, and the spice burns and blackens when cooked in a skillet.

Variations & Substitutions for Charred Broccolini

Broccolini is great at taking on flavor so you can add any combination of flavors to this easy side dish:

• Lemon and broccoli always goes well, so ramp up the citrus with some fresh lemon zest or even some lemon slices.
• Stir through some freshly minced garlic.
• Stir through some fresh herbs, like parsley or cilantro.
• Add a splash of balsamic vinegar.
• Grate over some fresh Parmesan cheese.
• Add crunch with some toasted flaked almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or pine nuts.

Tips & Tricks For Making Charred Broccolini

• Once you've par-cooked the broccoli in boiling water, drain is properly and dry it on some kitchen paper before adding it to the hot skillet. This will give you that nice char.

• If you want to retain the bright green color of the cooked broccoli plunge it into ice cold water after boiling. You can stop cooking the broccolini at this stage and hold it to cook later - making it a great get ahead dish.

• As an alternative to a skillet you can also make this dish on a gas grill. Just make sure it is nice and hot before you start.

How To Serve Charred Broccolini

This delicious and versatile side dish can be served alongside any meat, fish or veggie based main.

Try it with my  Lemon Caper Chicken Breasts, my Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken my Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs, Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin, or my Teriyaki Salmon with Noodles.

How To Reheat Charred Broccolini?

This is a side dish that is best served fresh. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When ready to heat up place back into a hot skillet to warm through. Alternatively add cold to your lunchtime salad.

Pin This Charred Broccolini with Lemon & Chili Recipe For Later

What Do You Think?!

I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.

Don't forget to go over to Facebook and Instagram and make sure you're following me so you can join in the chat. And remember to save this recipe to your Pinterest too!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest

More Easy Side Dish Recipe Ideas

Printable Recipe

Charred Broccolini with Lemon & Chili

My Charred Broccolini, flavored with lemon and chili, is one of my family's favorite side dishes. This versatile veggie side not only tastes great but it goes with everything and anything! Gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Share Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 78 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 lb Broccolini - cleaned and trimmed
• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil - plus more for drizzling
• ½ Lemon - juiced
• 1 Red Chili - serrano or jalapeno, very finely sliced
• Sea Salt

Instructions

 

• Boil the broccolini in a large pan of salted boiling water for 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat the extra virgin olive oil in a cast iron pan or large frying pan over a high heat until it's smoking hot.
• Drain the broccolini really well then carefully place it into the pan of hot oil.
• Leave to char without moving for 2 minutes.
• Turn with tongs and leave for a further 2 minutes (small florets will cook faster). When done it will be starting to char at the edges.
• It will be starting to char at the edges when ready.
• Arrange on a serving platter and drizzle over a little extra olive oil, the lemon juice and chilli slices.
• Scatter over a little sea salt and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1407IUVitamin C: 85mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be taken as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and the Family Food Kitchen can't guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!