Roasted Broccoli

Ready for the best-tasting vegetables? You’ll routinely, willingly, and with gusto inhale an entire pan of this crispy Roasted Broccoli like candy!

Crispy from tip-to-end, caramelized at the center, with savory and sweet notes, roasted broccoli will turn even the most ardent vegetable haters into vegetable believers—I know because I used to be one!

As a kid, I never would have imagined using the words “candy” and “broccoli” in the same sentence as synonymous, but that was before we started making Roasted Vegetables!

Roasted vegetables (like Roasted Spaghetti Squash, Roasted Cauliflower, and even Roasted Beets) changed my perspective entirely.

Instead of being an aspect of the meal that I dread, vegetables are now something I legitimately enjoy.

In fact, I’m such a fan of roasted veggies, I created a complete “Every-Night Roasted Vegetables Guide” in my cookbook.

the best roasted broccoli 425 on a sheet pan

5 Star Review

“Not a broccoli fan…or wasn’t until a few minutes ago. Delicious! Had to make myself stop eating so I can try it tomorrow warmed up.”
— Penny —

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Broccoli Recipe

We make roasted broccoli several nights a week. Here are a few reasons to love it:

It’s Good For You. Yes, roasting broccoli is good for you! With oodles of fiber, protein, and vitamins, this little green veggie packs a major nutrition punch (read more health benefits here). Plus, roasted broccoli calories are low compared to many other side dishes.
It has Fabulous Flavor. The caramelized outsides and tender insides make for a lightly sweet and rich flavor that is truly addictive. Even broccoli skeptics can’t resist that roasted broccoli taste!
It’s Easy to Make. With my easy chopping method, you can have the broccoli ready to roast in minutes.
It’s Great Leftover. One of the major benefits of roasting veggies like broccoli in large quantities is that they’re delicious leftover and will pair well with meals all week long. (Make ahead with Baked Chicken Breast!)

Roasted vegetables in the oven on a sheet pan

Tips and Tricks for the Best Roasted Broccoli

Recently, I’ve been playing around with my roasted vegetables (including Roasted Carrots), especially the size I cut them and the oven temperature, then evaluating how these variables impact the way the vegetables cook.

The results surprised me!

Today, I’m sharing a recipe and all my top tips for how to make the BEST-EVER roasted broccoli.

Cut the Broccoli Florets Large

While you might think that the smaller you cut vegetables for roasting the better, I found the opposite true.

Bite-sized pieces of broccoli tended to burn on the ends before the insides could fully caramelize. The flavor didn’t develop.
The larger the pieces of roasted broccoli you cut, the more surface area you have for caramelization.
The inside of the broccoli had plenty of time to caramelize and become tender before the florets darkened.
The ideal size for broccoli florets was about 1 ½ to 2-inches wide at the top and 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick. For comparison, most recipes call for florets that are about 3/4 to 1-inch at the top.
The larger pieces do take longer to roast, but the trade-off of a fully caramelized inside and crispy outside floret was well worth it.
ADDED BONUS: Bigger pieces are quicker to cut!

Don’t Skimp on the Oil

The tender, fuzzy “tree” tips of roasted broccoli florets are the most delicious, but they are also quick to burn.

Make sure the florets are well-coated with olive oil so that they do not burn.

Don’t Crowd the Pan

You need plenty of room for the air to circulate around the broccoli.
The broccoli will emit some moisture as it cooks. If the pieces are too close, it will steam instead of roast.
If your roasted broccoli comes out mushy, it is likely the pieces were too close together.

Roast Broccoli at 425 degrees F

After testing just about every temperature, this one hit the sweet spot.

425 degrees F is hot enough so that the broccoli crisps nicely, but not so hot that it burns. At this temperature, broccoli will roast in 20 to 25 minutes.
20 minutes into baking, flip the broccoli pieces over and rotate the pan 180 degrees to promote even browning.

Don’t Skip the Stems

Don’t throw away those broccoli stems.

It’s not only the broccoli crowns (florets) that make delicious eating. Broccoli stems are delicious when roasted too.
While the outsides of the broccoli stems are bitter, the inner core is delicious. It rivals the florets.
Simply cut away the outside of the stems, then slice the inside part of the core into pieces and roast it right along with the florets.

How to Make Roasted Broccoli

Compared to steamed broccoli, roasted broccoli excels in flavor and texture (as does Grilled Broccoli).

It’s perfectly crispy (especially those yummy tips!), and the sweet, caramelized notes are more pronounced.

Looking for broccoli that doesn’t taste like broccoli? Roasted broccoli is it!

The Ingredients

Broccoli. This lean, mean, green superfood machine is packed with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. (Don’t miss these other top-rated broccoli recipes like Sautéed Broccoli.)
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Adds healthy fats and allows the broccoli to crisp in the oven without burning. No butter required.
Salt & Pepper. Why mess with perfection? This simple, everyday spice blend is all broccoli truly needs to be seasoned just right.
Red Pepper Flakes. An optional addition that gives the roasted broccoli just the right kick of heat.
Sugar. My secret to preparing perfectly caramelized roasted broccoli with tender, crispy edges that taste even better than candy. (If you like your veggies with something sweet, don’t miss my Baked Acorn Squash Slices.)

The Directions

Cut away the outer layer of the broccoli stem and discard. Slice the inner portion into rectangular-shaped pieces. Cut the crowns into large, flat florets.

Seasoned broccoli on a sheet pan with olive oil

Toss the broccoli pieces with oil, sugar, and spices.

Arrange the broccoli in an even layer on a baking sheet. Give them lots of room!
Roast broccoli for 20 to 30 minutes at 425 degrees F until crisp-tender. Flip the broccoli pieces and rotate the pan partway through. ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

Like my similarly versatile Roasted Broccolini, this easy roasted broccoli recipe is an excellent place to start, but has unlimited opportunities for flavor enhancements.

Here are a few great ways to flavor roasted broccoli.

Parmesan. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of your finished broccoli.
Lemon. Roasted broccoli with lemon is scrumptious! When your broccoli has finished roasting, add a squeeze of lemon juice over the top. A bit of lemon zest never hurt, either.
Garlic. For roasted broccoli with garlic, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the broccoli with the other spices or toss with peeled, smashed garlic cloves and roast as directed.
Cheese. In the final few minutes of roasting, sprinkle grated cheese (cheddar would be tasty) over the top of the broccoli. It will melt into gooey perfection!
Balsamic Glaze. Use a store-bought balsamic glaze, or make your own by simmering balsamic vinegar on the stovetop until it reduces. Drizzle the glaze over the top of your roasted broccoli for an elegant touch.
Herbs. Try finishing oven-roasted broccoli with finely chopped parsley, thyme, basil, or rosemary.
Everything Roasted Broccoli. Finish off your roasted broccoli with an everything bagel seasoning (like Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning).
Soy Sauce. Drizzle roasted broccoli with a bit of soy sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. You could also roast the broccoli in sesame oil rather than olive oil for more Asian flavor.
Add More Veggies. Combine the broccoli with other vegetables that roast in a similar amount of time for a colorful mix of veggies (this Roasted Broccoli and Carrots is a favorite).

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftover broccoli in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To Reheat. Rewarm broccoli on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F. I do not recommend reheating roasted broccoli in the microwave, if possible, as it will become mushy. The oven will give you great results.

Leftover Ideas

Toss leftovers into your favorite stir fry (like Beef Lo Mein), pasta (like Adult Mac and Cheese), or power bowl (like Whole30 Vegetarian Power Bowls).

We also like roasted broccoli on pizza! (Try Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, English Muffin Pizza, or Naan Pizza.)

What to Serve with Roasted Broccoli

Salmon. For a healthy, nutrient-dense meal, serve salmon and broccoli. Try Baked Salmon, Air Fryer Salmon, or Garlic Butter Shrimp and Baked Shrimp Scampi are stellar with broccoli.
Chicken. For a kid-friendly dinner, serve chicken and broccoli. Try Baked Chicken Breast, Baked Chicken Thighs, or Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
Meat. Classic, hearty proteins like Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Air Fryer Steak, and Crockpot Pork Chops are scrumptious with roasted broccoli.
Whole Grains. For a hearty side, combine roasted broccoli with brown rice, quinoa, or farro. Or use it to make a Roasted Vegetable Salad.

Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe

Baking Sheet. I use this kitchen tool almost daily. It’s perfect for making pan-roasted broccoli.
Sharp Chef’s Knife. Great for cutting broccoli with ease.
Extra Large Cutting Board. Plenty of space to cut your broccoli.

Are roasted vegetables like broccoli a part of your healthy eating routine? I’d love to hear from you! Let me know what kinds of side dishes you are craving.

And if you try this roasted broccoli recipe, please comment below to let me know how it came out. Reading your feedback is so important to me and keeps me going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Roasted Broccoli Soggy?

If your roasted broccoli is soggy, you lightly overcrowded the sheetpan, which will cause the broccoli to steam, not roast. Also, make sure your oven is hot (425°F). If you rinsed the broccoli prior to cooking, it must be completely dry before roasting.

What Happens When You Overcook Broccoli?

There is a fine line between crispy roasted broccoli and burned broccoli. If broccoli is overcooked, the florets will turn almost black and will crumble off of the stems. Unfortunately, there is not a way to undo burned broccoli, so keep an eye on it towards the cooking time. Also, don’t skimp on the oil, as that will make your broccoli more likely to burn.

Is Roasted Broccoli Healthier than Steamed?

Both roasting and steaming are healthy ways to cook broccoli, so it just depends on which method you prefer and are more likely to eat. While boiling or steaming broccoli requires less fat because you do not need oil, I prefer roasted broccoli for its delicious flavor and crisp, caramelized texture. Satisfaction matters.

Can I Prep Roasted Broccoli in Advance?

Up to 1 day in advance, chop the broccoli as directed. Refrigerate it in an airtight storage container until you’re ready to finish the recipe.

Can I Make Roasted Broccoli in an Air Fryer?

To make broccoli in the air fryer, check out my Air Fryer Broccoli recipe.

Can I Roast Frozen Broccoli?

No fresh broccoli on hand? Don’t worry. You can learn how to make Roasted Frozen Broccoli in this post.

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