Grilled Broccolini with Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan

As much as I love meat, and I do love a great steak, I am also a big fan of green veggies. Ron Swanson would definitely not approve, but grilled vegetables, especially grilled broccolini really make for some good eats.

If you’re like me and grew up eating vegetables that were boiled until they were sort of a gray color, you might be a bit skeptical about trying veggies again. I assure you, this grilled broccolini is the furthest thing from those terrible veggies you were forced to eat as a kid.

 

What’s even better is that this tasty veggie cooks perfectly in less than five minutes! So after you sear the perfect steak on the grill, it’s super easy to just toss this grilled broccolini over the still hot coals while your steak is resting. 

What Is Broccolini?

Ya know, broccolini…it’s like baby broccoli, right? Wrong! It’s a fair assumption given the name and the fact that it looks a lot like the basic / run-of-the-mill broccoli.

Instead, broccolini is actually a hybrid created in the early 1990s and is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. One major difference, aside from flavor, is the stalk.

Traditional broccoli has a pretty thick stalk that tends to be tough and isn’t very flavorful. Broccolini stalks, on the other hand, are thin and taste amazing after kissing them with fire.

What Does Broccolini Taste Like?

Unlike broccoli, which tends to be a bit bitter, broccolini has a mild sweetness. After some time over the hot coals and with the addition of grilled lemon juice, the sweetness really comes out – but not overpoweringly so.

This makes broccolini an excellent candidate for seasoning. We’re keeping it simple today with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan but these are many other ways to grill this vegetable to create various flavor profiles.

Can I Save Leftover Broccolini?

Yes you can – just store it in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to two days. Leftover grilled broccolini is great when used in place of broccoli in a cheese soup, or even folded into an omelette. But if you want to eat it plain it’s important to reheat it correctly.

To reheat broccolini without it getting gross: preheat oven to 425 degrees, spread the broccolini on a baking sheet, and heat for 7-10 minutes. This will keep the broccolini from becoming limp and mushy, which will happen if you use the microwave to reheat it.  

Grilled Broccolini with Garlic, Lemon and Parmesan Recipe

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 5 Minutes | Cook Time: 7 Minutes

Ingredients
1 lb fresh broccolini
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp garlic, minced
2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 lemon, cut in half
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

How To Make Grilled Broccolini With Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan

Step 1: Light grill and set up for high direct heat. If using a gas grill, turn burners on high and let preheat for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Cut off the bottom 1-2 inches of stalks from the broccolini stalks and remove any leaves. Cut the thicker stalks lengthwise starting at the top of the broccolini cutting all the way down to the end of the stalk to separate into thinner pieces.

Step 3: Put broccolini into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Toss til broccolini is completely coated.

Step 4: Place broccolini and lemon halves over hot coals. Ensure lemons are placed cut-side down.

Step 5: Flip broccolini after 2-3 minutes, just as you start to see a nice crust forming.

Step 6: Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and then remove broccolini and lemons from heat.

Step 7: To serve, drizzle broccolini with juice of the charred lemon and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Grilled Broccolini with Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan