Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli Recipe (Garlic & Lemon)

This delicious tenderstem broccoli recipe has bold zesty flavours of garlic, parmesan, and lemon. If you’re tired of boring microwave veggies like I am, learning how to cook tenderstem broccoli this way creates the perfect 15-minute side dish for my Easy Chicken Piccata.

Why you’ll love this recipe

I love this tenderstem broccoli recipe because it takes boring old broccoli to a whole new level of flavour and it doesn’t take much longer than the microwave.

• Quick: This roasted tenderstem broccoli only takes 15 minutes or less to make, giving you plenty of time to make a Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta.
• Easy: It’s a super easy side dish for busy weeknights when you want to roast tenderstem broccoli without any fuss.
• Healthy: Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable full of vitamins and minerals. Try this 10-minute Jennifer Aniston Salad for even more nutritious goodness!

Here are some other healthy side dishes to give you inspiration: The Best Roasted Parsnips, Creamed Cabbage and The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks.

Ingredients

To make this tenderstem broccoli recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients to super charge the flavour:

• Long broccoli: Any variety of long broccoli, thin broccoli, or purple sprouting broccoli works great here and pairs nicely with my 30-Minute Cream of Mushroom Chicken.
• Garlic and Lemon: These give you that bold, zesty foundation that makes roasting the best way to cook tenderstem broccoli.
• Parmesan: I love to use parmesan here but you can also use pecorino or any hard cheese that you have in the fridge, and use any leftovers for this Healthy Chicken Lasagna.

See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

This tenderstem broccoli recipe is highly versatile and can be used in any recipe where you would use asparagus or kale.

• Use other flavours: While many tenderstem broccoli recipes stick to lemon, you could also try using sweet Thai chilli sauce for something different. You can then use the sauce to make this Sweet Chilli Chicken – yum!!
• Substitutes for tenderstem broccoli: If you can’t find long stem broccoli, you can substitute fresh broccoli florets, broccoli stems, or broccoli rabe.
• 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. Cooking it in the air fryer takes less than 3 minutes and tastes a bit like it was roasted, like my Delicious Air Fryer Cod.

Love broccoli? You’ll love recipes like Sauteed Broccoli (in 10 minutes!, Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup and Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta,

How to make this Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli Recipe

Preheat the oven to 375°C (190°C)

Slice the tough ends of the broccoli stalks off, reducing as much waste as possible.

1. Line a large baking tray with foil and divide the tenderstem broccoli in half (Image 1).
2. 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 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.

Guide to Long Stem Broccoli and Preparation

Believe it or not, tenderstem broccoli is actually a mix of kale and regular broccoli! I was super surprised to find out it is a hybrid vegetable. It has the long stem of kale and the florets of broccoli. Tenderstem 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.

How to prepare long stem broccoli

To prepare the veg for this tenderstem broccoli recipe, it doesn’t need much. Unlike regular broccoli, it is tender from floret to stem, with no woody sections. It 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 long stem broccoli

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. It is highly versatile and can be used in any recipe where you would use broccoli, asparagus or even kale.

Serving Suggestions

This tenderstem broccoli recipe is super versatile and works as a side for almost any protein or main dish. The slender stalks of the tender stem broccoli look great on the plate and soak up sauces and dressings like The Best Miso Dressing beautifully!

Try it with:

• Delicious Chicken Bolognese
• Simple Baked Ravioli Casserole Recipe
• Delicious Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
• Tonkatsu Inspired Pork & Cabbage Salad
• Airfryer Salmon Bites
• Perfect Pan Fried Cod Recipe
• Tender Braising Steak with Gravy

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

If you have leftover portions of this tenderstem broccoli recipe, they can be stored easily to avoid waste.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze it if you’d like but keep in mind the texture becomes a bit mushy.

Reheat: A quick 1-2 minute steam works for tenderness, but a fast pan-fry is best for crispness.

FAQs

Try other easy airfryer side dishes like Airfryer Frozen Fries, Airfryer Hash Browns and Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer.