:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/simply-recipes-grilled-broccolini-lead-4-62bca60597b344dc9c04aa6c84e5c19a.jpg)
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stood in the produce section of my local grocery store trying to figure out what vegetable to grill and serve with dinner. I certainly have grilled vegetable go-to’s, but my desire for variety recently led me to something new—a green vegetable with a slender stalk topped with a small floret: Broccolini.
Broccolini is not baby broccoli, as the name might suggest. According to Nik Sharma, author of Veg-Table, broccolini is a hand-pollinated cross between broccoli and gai lan (Chinese broccoli), and the name Broccolini is actually trademarked. Do you know what else it is? Fantastic on the grill.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Matthew Pevear / Food Styling by Mike Lang
Why Broccolini Is Great on the Grill
Lately, Broccolini has become my most-grilled vegetable, which is a lofty feat at my house. I particularly love it because it’s prep-free. On the whole, most vegetables need some sort of culinary intervention before grilling. Zucchini needs to be sliced. Asparagus needs to be peeled. The list goes on. Broccolini is like me on a Saturday morning: ready to go.
Some vegetables are also a challenge to move around on the grill grates. Asparagus spears? I’m looking at you. If you have ever grilled asparagus, you know the sad process of removing those lost, incinerated spears that took up residence at the bottom of your grill. They never made it to dinner because they slipped through a grate.
Broccolini comes ready for such challenges, as its florets act as a grill life preserver. Its stalk might slip through, but the florets keep it afloat until you can grab it and put it back on the grate. I’ve yet to lose one.
Lastly, Broccolini grills fast, taking just under 6 minutes to cook and only needing to be flipped once. In that time, it develops a nice char, which helps bring out its natural sweetness. When grilled, its stalks provide slight resistance while the florets are more tender. A lemon grilled alongside adds just the right amount of tangy balance to round out the dish.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Matthew Pevear / Food Styling by Mike Lang
Substituting Regular Broccoli
If can’t find Broccolini, yes, you can use good old broccoli in its place. There will be a little more prep needed to break down the florets and you will need a perforated grill pan to make the grilling easier, but the results will be quite similar.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Matthew Pevear / Food Styling by Mike Lang
Make It a Meal
Cook Mode
(Keep screen awake)
-
1 pound broccolini (2 to 3 bunches)
-
2 teaspoons olive oil
-
1 teaspoon kosher salt
-
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-
1 lemon, quartered lengthwise
-
Prepare the grill:
Prepare your grill for medium-high heat, 400º to 450ºF. If using a charcoal grill, fill a charcoal chimney with briquettes and light with a starter cube or newspaper. Once the coals on top start to ash over, dump the briquettes into the grill and spread into an even layer. Drop in the cooking grate and close the lid. Make sure all of the vents are open.
If using a gas grill, light the burners and allow to preheat for 15 to 20 minutes.
-
Prep the Broccolini:
While the grill is preheating, place the Broccolini in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper and toss until well coated.
-
Grill:
Brush the grill grates clean with a grill brush. Grill the Broccolini and lemon quarters, flesh side down, over direct medium-high heat. Cook until charred, 5 to 7 minutes total, flipping once halfway through.
-
Serve:
Remove the Broccolini and lemons from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Squeeze the charred lemon over the Broccolini and serve warm.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 129 | Calories |
| 3g | Fat |
| 29g | Carbs |
| 4g | Protein |
×
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 129 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 3g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 3% |
| 0mg | 0% |
| 352mg | 15% |
| 29g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber 9g | 32% |
| Total Sugars 10g | |
| 4g | |
| Vitamin C 166mg | 828% |
| Calcium 122mg | 9% |
| Iron 2mg | 11% |
| Potassium 650mg | 14% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Leave a Reply