This Steamed Broccolini is fantastic! Fast, fresh, and even a surprising little boost of protein for the family. With a hint of garlic, butter, and lemon, it's the kind of easy side dish you'll keep coming back to on busy weeknights.
Recipe Summary
- ✅ Recipe Name: Steamed Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon
- 🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
- 🧑🧒🧒 Serves: 2 people
- 🍽️ Calories: 221 kcal
- 🥣 Ingredients: Broccolini, unsalted butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, lemon.
- 👏 Why You'll Love It: Quick, tasty, crisp-tender, and packed with fiber and protein.
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Mastering the right cooking method is essential when preparing broccoli or broccolini: overcook it, and it quickly turns mushy and bland. Steaming is my go-to for keeping it crisp-tender and full of flavor, though I also love roasting it in the oven, much like I do in my Easy Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan.
This recipe is perfect if you're looking to add more fiber to your plate while also getting a surprising protein boost from broccolini. For a balanced meal, I love pairing it with rich protein sources like my Almond Flour Crusted Salmon or my Air Fryer Steak and Potatoes.
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What is Broccolini (Broccoletti or Baby Broccoli)?
I've cooked broccoli for years, but I avoided broccolini until very recently, even though I'd spotted it at Trader Joe's many times. Now that I've finally tried it, I can't believe I waited so long. Its flavor is milder and sweeter than broccoli's, and in my opinion, even more delicious.
So what is broccolini? Also known as broccoletti or baby broccoli, it's a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese broccoli (gai lan). Compared to traditional broccoli, broccolini has long, slender stalks, looser florets, and small edible leaves, so there's no need to trim much. Just rinse it under cold running water and it's ready to cook (healthline.com).
Nutritionally, broccolini brings quite a bit to the table. It offers fiber, calcium, magnesium, and a modest amount of protein (about 3.5 g per 100 g).
The slender stalks are more than just pretty, they help broccolini maintain a perfect crisp-tender texture when steamed, which is exactly what makes this recipe shine. A simple garlic butter sauce can turn this humble veggie into a standout dish.
Why Steam Broccolini?
- Preserves nutrients: Steaming helps retain more vitamins and antioxidants compared to boiling or frying, which can cause significant nutrient loss.
- Maintains texture and color: This method keeps broccolini bright green and crisp, avoiding the mushiness that can result from overcooking.
- Saves time: It's a quick and easy cooking method, perfect for busy schedules.
Ingredients
- Broccolini: I usually pick it up at Trader Joe's, where it's sold as baby broccoli. You may also find it in other grocery stores.
- Unsalted butter + extra virgin olive oil: I like combining butter and olive oil because the butter adds a rich, creamy flavor. If you prefer, you can skip the butter and use only olive oil instead.
- Garlic cloves and salt: Add black pepper to taste if you like.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Steamed Broccolini
- Step 1: Rinse the broccolini under cold running water. Since the whole plant is edible, there's no need to trim anything.
- Step 2: Fill a pot with a small amount of water and place a steamer basket inside. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil.
- Step 3: Arrange the broccolini in the steamer basket and steam for about 5 minutes, until tender but still slightly crisp.
- Step 4: Transfer the steamed broccolini to a bowl of icy water for 10-15 seconds to stop the cooking and keep the bright green color. Then drain and place on a serving dish.
- Step 5: In a small pan over medium heat, warm the butter and olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Drizzle the garlic and oil mixture over the broccolini and toss gently to coat.
- Step 7: Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Step 8: Serve immediately as a delicious side dish alongside your favorite main course.
Quick Tip
Transfer the steamed broccolini into a bowl of ice water. This halts the cooking instantly, locks in the bright green color, and helps retain the nutrients.
Substitutions
- Butter: Use all olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
- Garlic: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, or try shallots for a milder flavor.
- Lemon juice: Lime juice or a splash of balsamic vinegar works as a tangy alternative.
Storage
- Store leftover broccolini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, lightly steam or warm in a pan with a small drizzle of olive oil. Avoid microwaving too long to preserve the crisp texture.
- Steamed broccolini can also be enjoyed cold in salads or as part of a grain bowl.
Steamed Broccolini FAQ
Steam broccolini for about 4-6 minutes until it's tender but still slightly crisp. Thinner stalks need around 4 minutes, thicker ones about 5-6. To keep it bright green, dip it in ice water for 10-15 seconds after steaming.
Steaming broccolini is generally better than boiling. Steaming helps retain more nutrients, color, and crispness, while boiling can cause vitamins and minerals to leach into the water and make the broccolini softer and less flavorful.
Related
Looking for more vegetable recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this steamed broccolini recipe:
Let's Hear From You
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📖 Recipe
Steamed Broccolini with Garlic and Lemon
Video
Ingredients
- 8 oz broccolini broccoletti or baby broccoli
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ lemon freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse the broccolini under cold running water. Since the whole plant is edible, there's no need to trim anything.
- Fill a pot with a small amount of water and place a steamer basket inside. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil.
- Arrange the broccolini in the steamer basket and steam for about 5 minutes, until tender but still slightly crisp.
- Transfer the steamed broccolini to a bowl of icy water for 10-15 seconds to stop the cooking and keep the bright green color. Then drain and place on a serving dish.
- In a small pan over medium heat, warm the butter and olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Season with salt to taste.
- Drizzle the garlic and oil mixture over the broccolini and toss gently to coat.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Serve immediately as a delicious side dish alongside your favorite main course.
Notes
- Refer to the post above for video instructions and other useful information.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will depend on your specific ingredients.
- I usually buy broccolini at Trader Joe's, and they are sold there as baby broccoli. You might find them at other stores in the produce section.
- I like mixing butter and olive oil because butter adds a rich and creamy flavor. However, if butter isn't your preferred option, using 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead is a simple alternative.
- Feel free to add a touch of Parmesan cheese to your steamed broccoletti, or if you prefer a bit of heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or chili flakes for an extra kick.
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