Published August 29, 2024. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Broccolini Recipe is par-cooked and coated in melted butter and garlic, then finished with a hint of lemon juice. It is a delicious side dish to any meal. My family, especially my daughter, loves this recipe.
If you’re new to cooking broccolini and are unsure what to serve it with, try making it with my Lemon Butter Chicken or a Reverse-Seared Steak.
Broccolini
Broccolini, also known as baby broccoli, is a long-stemmed green vegetable stalk with a small head of broccoli at the end. It has a subtly sweet flavor with a peppery edge and a crunchy texture. There are many ways to cook broccoli, from boiling to grilling to roasting. It goes well with butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and cheese.
It is said to be a cross between broccoli and kale. However, I believe it to be closer to asparagus and broccoli. The entire vegetable can be eaten and is delicious raw or cooked. I like to cut it up and serve it in my Pasta with Italian Sausage.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Broccolini – Fresh broccolini is best for this recipe, but frozen can also work.
- Lemon – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is used to brighten up the vegetables.
- Garlic – I use sliced garlic cloves. Substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic granules or powder.
- Butter – I always use unsalted butter in my cooking and baking to control the sodium content.
- Seasoning – I only use coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper. You can also add crushed red pepper flakes.
How to make Garlicky Butter Glazed Broccolini
Trim the ends off the broccolini.
Place it in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for a maximum of 2 minutes. I usually cook it for 60 to 90 seconds.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large frying pan over low to medium heat.
Once melted, add the sliced garlic and cook until fragrant, which only takes 90 seconds to two minutes. You can opt to cook longer if you want to brown it.
Strain the broccolini and let it sit for 30 to 60 seconds to get as much water off as possible.
Next, add it to the pan of garlic and butter.
Pour in the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and gently fold everything together until the broccolini is seasoned and coated in the butter and garlic.
Serve with optional lemon and crushed red pepper flakes.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: I serve the broccolini as soon as it’s done cooking. You can keep them warm in the pan for up to 15 minutes before serving.
How to Store: This will be kept in the refrigerator covered in plastic for up to 3 days. These don’t freeze well after being cooked because they lose a lot of moisture.
How to Reheat: Add the broccolini, a small amount of chicken stock or water, and one tablespoon of butter to a pan. Cook over medium heat while stirring until warm.
Chef Notes + Tips
- If you are using garlic granules or powder, there is no need to cook it. Simply whisk it in to the butter once it’s melted.
- The boiling water should be as salty as the ocean so that it seasons the broccolini. This will also help in keeping the vegetable bright green.
More Vegetable Recipes
Garlicky Butter Glazed Broccolini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bunches of broccolini
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- coarse salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim the ends off the broccolini.
- Place it in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for a maximum of 2 minutes. I usually do 60 to 90 seconds.
- In the meantime, melt the butter in a large frying pan over low to medium heat.
- Once melted, add in the sliced garlic and cook just until fragrant, which only takes 90 seconds to two minutes. You can opt to cook longer if you want to brown it.
- Strain the broccolini and let it sit for 30 to 60 seconds to get as much water off as possible.
- Next, add it to the pan of garlic and butter.
- Pour in the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and gently fold everything together until the broccolini is seasoned and coated in the butter and garlic.
- Serve with optional lemon and crushed red pepper flakes.
Garlicky Butter Glazed Broccolini Recipe