How to cook tenderstem broccoli (Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli)
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This delicious tenderstem broccoli has bold zesty flavours of garlic, parmesan, and lemon. Plus it is ready in 15 minutes or less, making it the perfect weeknight side dish.
Do you ever notice there is so much talk about fast meals and quick dinners online? But what do you do when you need a fast side dish? I can tell you that many nights I will just stick some peas or frozen broccoli in the microwave, add some salt and be done with it.
But the flavours are boring and after a while it just leaves me wanting something better. Something I actually want to eat! Something that is healthy… and flavorful… and good!
And boy do I love to eat this tenderstem broccoli recipe. It is one of my new favourites. It takes boring old broccoli to a whole new level of flavour and It doesn’t take much longer than if I had just stuck it in the microwave.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
Quick to make – This tenderstem broccoli recipe only takes 15 minutes or less to make!
Easy side dish – Because it is so fast and flavorful, you will love this as a super easy side dish on busy weeknights.
Healthy – Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable full of vitamins and minerals that your body will be happy you ate.
Delicious – Let’s face it, broccoli can be a bit boring by itself, so we are going to super charge it with the bold flavours of lemon, garlic, and parmesan!
Here are some other healthy side dishes to give you inspiration: The Best Roasted Parsnips, Creamed Cabbage and The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks
What is Tenderstem Broccoli?
Believe it or not, tenderstem broccoli is actually a mix of kale and regular broccoli. I know! I was super surprised to find out it is a hybrid vegetable. It has the long stem of kale and the florets of broccoli. And just so you know, it can also be referred to as broccolini or long stem broccoli in case you see one of these in the supermarket.
Tenderstem vs regular broccoli
Tenderstem broccoli and regular broccoli are different in look, taste and texture. Tenderstem has a longer stem and smaller florets than regular broccoli. It also has a more mild taste and the texture is a bit more tender.
It is highly versatile and can be used in any recipe where you would use broccoli, asparagus or even kale.
Love broccoli? You’ll love these recipes ; Sauteed Broccoli (in 10 minutes!, Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup and Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Best Way to Cook Tenderstem Broccoli
My favourite way to make tenderstem broccoli is by roasting it. This method takes a few more minutes, but is completely worth it. Roasting helps caramelise the sugars within the broccoli, which concentrates the flavours. Roasting also gives the florets a bit of a crisp texture.
But if you are short on time, here are a few other ways to cook tenderstem broccoli:
- Steam it for 2-3 minutes
- Saute it for 3-4 minutes
- Simmer it for 2-3 minutes
- Air fry it for 2-3 minutes
How to prepare long stem broccoli
Tenderstem doesn’t need much preparation. Unlike regular broccoli, it is tender from floret to stem, with no woody sections.
How to cut
Tenderstem doesn’t need too much cutting because there is no centre section that all the stalks are connected to like there is with regular broccoli. Just trim off any dead or browned sections before cooking.
How to clean
To clean, just rinse the broccoli under running water. You can hold it in your hands or place it in a colander. This will rinse away any dirt that was left from harvest or the market.
Ingredients
Tenderstem broccoli– any long/thin broccoli will work for this recipe. Purple sprouting broccoli would also be great here.
Parmesan- I love to use parmesan here but you can also use pecorino or any hard cheese that you have in the fridge.
See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.
Variations/ Adaptations
- Use different flavours – Garlic, lemon, and parmesan are just a few of the flavours you could use. Another great one to try for bold flavour is sweet thai chilli sauce.
- Cook it a different way – Roasted tender stem broccoli is just one way to prepare it. You could also try a different method like steaming for 2-3 minutes, simmering 3-4 minutes, or pan frying for 2-3 minutes. Tenderstem broccoli in the air fryer can also be made in less than 3 minutes and tastes a bit more like it was roasted.
- Substitutes for tenderstem broccoli – Substitute fresh broccoli florets, broccoli stems, or broccoli rabe for a broccoli flavour.
Here are some delicious main meals to enjoy with this roasted broccoli ; Airfryer Salmon Bites, Perfect Pan Fried Cod Recipe and Tender Braising Steak with Gravy
How to make roasted tenderstem broccoli
Preheat the oven to 374°C (190°C)
Slice the tough ends of the broccoli stalks off, reducing as much waste as possible.
- Line a large baking tray with foil and divide the tenderstem broccoli in half (Image 1).
- Position the broccoli on the foil with the two rows of florets facing towards the centre (Image 2).
3. Coat in olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Pop in the oven for 13-15 minutes (Image 3).
4. Remove from the oven and add the garlic and lemon juice. Toss to combine. Serve with finely grated parmesan and an optional pinch of chilli flakes. Enjoy! (Image 4).
Pair this yummy tenderstem broccoli with one of these protein-rich mains for an even tastier meal: Easy Spanish Chicken, Easy Roasted Turkey Legs and Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Here are some easy airfryer side dishes : Airfryer Frozen Fries, Airfryer Hash Browns and Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer
Tips for the best results
- Make sure the broccoli stays a nice verdant green. When it turns olive green, you know it is overcooked.
- Facing the florets towards each other promotes steaming and prevents burning of the florets.
- Finish with a crack of black pepper over the parmesan.
FAQs
It only takes around 2-3 minutes to steam tenderstem broccoli. You just want it cooked until the stem is tender, the colour is verdant green, and it still has some crisp to the stem.
Depending on the cooking method, it could take anywhere from 2 minutes to 15 minutes to cook tenderstem broccoli.
You can eat all parts of tenderstem broccoli from floret to stem.
Overcooked broccoli gets softer the more it is overcooked. Eventually it will become mushy and turn an olive green colour. Plus the taste will be stronger.
Explore More Recipes
If you tried this Tenderstem Broccoli recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
How to Cook Tenderstem Broccoli
Ingredients
- 320 g tenderstem broccoli (£2.20)
- 1 cloves of garlic, minced (£0.39)
- 50 g parmesan, finely grated to serve (£2.60)=(£0.65)
- Juice of half a lemon (£0.30)
Cupboard Essentials
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Optional pinch of chilli flakes
Method
Preheat the oven to 374°F (190°C)
- Slice the tough ends of the broccoli stalks off, reducing as much waste as possible. Line a large baking tray with foil and divide the tenderstem broccoli in half.
- Position the broccoli on the foil with the two rows of florets facing towards the centre.
- Coat in olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Pop in the oven for 13-15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and add the garlic and lemon juice. Toss to combine. Serve with finely grated parmesan and an optional pinch of chilli flakes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Maintain broccoli’s vibrant green colour; avoid overcooking until it turns olive green.
- Arrange florets facing each other to promote steaming and prevent burning.
- Garnish with cracked black pepper over parmesan for final touch.
Nutrition
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