Looking to climb out of your dull vegetable side dish routine? This Baby Broccolini Recipe is the ultimate spicy addition to your table. Broccolini loves heat, and this freshly roasted recipe delivers a good kick from the peppers and pepper flakes. The recipe is super easy to pull off, and you can adjust the heat to your liking by reducing or increasing the pepper flakes.
Tender broccolini has been popular for a while, so you can easily find some in the nearest grocery store. I bought mine at Trader Joe’s where they go by the name Baby Broccoli rather than Broccolini. But use regular broccoli florets for the recipe if you don’t find baby broccoli. Ready to experience new spicy veggie flavors? Let’s learn cooking broccolini with easy and simple steps!
This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian and Vegan
Table of Contents
6 Reasons to love this recipe
This may be the best baby broccoli recipe you ever tried for various reasons:
- Easy and quick.
- Simple ingredients!
- Amazing flavor combinations.
- Unique side-dish with crispy texture.
- Low-carb and keto-friendly.
- A fun way to eat green vegetables.
Is Roasted Baby Broccoli Low-Carb?
Yes, baby broccoli, a slender and smaller version of traditional broccoli is lower in carbohydrates and richer in other essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals that fit low-carb diets. This recipe has 1 g net carbs per serving, which is incredibly low and perfectly suitable for a low-carb or keto diet.
Check out my in-depth article on “Is Broccoli Low Carb” and make informed choices in your low carb journey.
Roasted Baby Broccoli Ingredients List
To roast your broccolini to spicy perfection you need these ingredients:
- 2 heads baby broccoli (broccolini)
- 2 Anaheim chilis sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
- 1 pinch salt & pepper
Note: I love adding lime juice to the spicy roasted broccolini. Some people find it to be a bit off-putting. I wonder why, perhaps they got a bit too much lime? I think lime juice adds freshness and brightness to the broccolini.
Ingredients Substitutions
Substitute the ingredients you are missing with these top-tier alternatives:
- Broccolini: Regular broccoli florets also work great if you can’t find baby broccolini.
- Anaheim chilis: Poblano peppers or green bell peppers will give you a similar kick.
- Red pepper flakes: Swap for smoked paprika or chili powder.
- Olive oil: Coconut oil, MCT oil or avocado oil will all work.
- Lime juice: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to the cooked broccolini for freshness and brightness.
Additional Ingredients
A few more optional ingredients will take the spicy broccolini’s flavors a notch higher:
- Cheese: This roasted broccolini recipe loves a topping of freshly grated parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese. The cheese rounds out its spiciness nicely.
- Nuts: Roast ¼ cup of pine nuts or slivered almonds in a pan for 3-4 minutes (or until aromatic) and sprinkle on top of the roasted broccolini for more depth of flavor and an extra crunch.
- Almond breadcrumbs: Add almond breadcrumbs or any gluten-free breadcrumbs to the broccolini while cooking, for depth and crunchiness.
- Sesame seeds: Once you remove the broccolini from the oven, sprinkle it lightly with roasted sesame seeds.
Cooking Tools
You need the following tools for this sweet baby broccoli recipe:
How To Cook Baby Broccoli: Complete Cooking Guide
Cooking Method
- Roasting
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Gather all the tools and ingredients.
- Wash the broccolini and trim off any large stalks.
- Coat the broccolini lightly with olive oil and arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
- Add the peppers, pepper flakes and remaining olive oil to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Layer the pepper mixture on the broccolini.
Cooking Instructions
- Place the baking sheet with the seasoned broccolini in the preheated oven.
- Roast for 25-35 minutes or until tender.
Step 1: Preheat the oven and place the seasoned baby broccolini on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Slice green peppers and season them with spices in a mixing bowl.
Step 3: Arrange the seasoned baby broccolini and green peppers on a baking sheet.
Step 4: Roast the baby broccolini and green peppers in the oven until they are tender and slightly charred.
💡 My Pro Tip
Broccolini has fibrous stalks. You don’t have to remove them if they are thin as they cook easily. However, if the stalks are thicker, peel them with a vegetable peeler. Remember, the best thing about this recipe is that it yields tenderstem broccoli. I understand peeling the stalks can be tedious, tender stalks are delicious! The results are worth the extra minute or two of work.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Prepare the broccolini in advance to shorten the prep and cooking time.
What To Serve With Roasted Broccolini
Roasted broccolini is a fantastic veggie side dish. It pairs nicely with various low-carb dishes:
- Chicken Cordon Bleu: Serve the spicy roasted broccolini alongside the chicken cordon bleu for a fancy and elegant meal for two.
- Stuffed Chicken Breasts: The savory and mild flavors of the stuffed chicken breasts are well complemented by the irresistible texture of roasted broccolini.
- Grilled Chicken Wings: Grilled wings and this healthy vegetable side dish are a fine pair to serve at a BBQ feast.
- Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders: The spicy broccolini paired with the chicken tenders is the ultimate finger food meal!
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin: The spicy broccolini is a delicious side dish for roasted pork on a lazy dinner night.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage
- Store the leftover broccolini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing
- I don’t recommend freezing this dish. The baby broccolini tends to get mushy when defrosted, and there is no way to revive them. The recipe is best made fresh.
Reheating
- Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes or until heated.
- Stovetop: Use a pan with a lid over medium-high heat on the stove. Add 1 tablespoon of water and heat until warmed through.
- Microwave: Leftover roasted broccolini microwaves well for 3-4 minutes on medium-high. Rotate occasionally throughout the cooking time for even heating.
Recipe Conclusion
This Baby Broccolini Recipe is the heat you have been missing in your low-carb menu. It is perfect for spice lovers who enjoy setting their palette on fire. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t run one of those crazy shows where people eat ghost peppers for the fun of it. The simple fact is that broccolini loves a good kick of heat, and we must add a generous amount to make the recipe more interesting. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the pepper flakes.
Try this delicious veggie recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below. You can also find us on Facebook or Instagram.
More Side Dish Recipes
Need more delicious roasted veggie ideas? Try these recipes:
FAQs
This is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the freshness and crunchiness of raw broccolini while others enjoy the tender texture and enhanced flavors of cooked broccolini.
Broccolini is pricier than broccoli because of various factors, including higher production costs, high market demand, limited availability and the premium perceived value attached to them.
Broccolini has a better taste because of its milder flavor and lack of bitterness. Its stems are also more tender and better-looking than regular broccoli stems.
Spicy Roasted Broccolini (Baby Broccoli)
Ingredients
- 2 heads baby broccoli broccolini
- 2 Anaheim chilis sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon lime juice optional
- 1 pinch salt & pepper
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Gather all the tools and ingredients.
- Wash the broccolini and trim off any large stalks.
- Coat the broccolini lightly with olive oil and arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
- Add the peppers, pepper flakes and remaining olive oil to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Layer the pepper mixture on the broccolini.
Cooking Instructions
- Place the baking sheet with the seasoned broccolini in the preheated oven.
- Roast for 25-35 minutes or until tender.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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