In this recipe I use fresh broccoli as the star of the show and cook it in a way that makes it taste not just good, but absolutely delicious. Check out my easy steps for how to grill broccoli.
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✔️Why Grilling Broccoli Works
When you cook vegetables by boiling them, much of the flavor gets leached out in the water and the vegetables themselves can turn to mush.
With this recipe, you'll be able to make broccoli and broccolini on the grill that tastes almost as good as the steak you'll be serving it up beside. With a simple marinade and good technique, you can elevate one of the most despised vegetables out there into a true flavor sensation.
The key is truly in the cook. When you roast vegetables, they undergo what's called the Maillard reaction. This happens when the sugars and amino acids in food comes in contact with high heat, caramelizing them to deepen their flavor and give them that distinctive brown and burnished color.
I also have this sheet pan beef and broccoli that is delicious.
🥦Ingredients
- broccoli and broccolini - Although this recipe includes both grilled broccolini and broccoli, you can easily swap one for the other instead of a combo of the two.
- olive oil - The oil is for the marinade which will help with caramelizing the broccoli and prevent it from sticking to the grill grates.
- balsamic vinegar - Choose a high quality balsamic for best results.
- garlic - You can substitute the fresh garlic for a bit of garlic powder but I prefer fresh for this recipe.
- crushed red pepper flakes - Leave out if you don't like spiciness.
- sesame seeds (not pictured) - Optional garnish.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
Chefs Note: This grilled broccoli would also taste amazing marinated in jerk sauce if you're not into the balsamic dressing. Here is my tutorial for how to make jerk sauce.
🔪Instructions
Step 1. Chop the broccoli and broccolini into smaller individual pieces. For the broccoli crown, chop through the stem and cut it into large florets. You can then slice down into each stem about 1" and use your hands to pull each piece into smaller florets.
For the broccolini you can just trim ½" of the ends off.
Pro Tip: Make sure the broccoli florets are large enough that they won't fall through the grill grates.
Step 2. Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper together to make the marinade.
Step 3. Marinate. Place the broccoli pieces into a dish. Drizzle the marinade over the broccoli and toss to coat. Let it sit to marinate for 20 minutes. Reserve the leftover dressing for basting later.
Step 4. Add broccoli to grill. Heat an outdoor gas or charcoal grill to medium heat. Remove the broccoli pieces from the marinade and place them on the grill.
Step 5. Grill. Grill broccoli until fork-tender (around 10 minutes) - flipping them every 2 to 3 minutes and brushing with the reserved dressing as they are grilling.
Chef's Note: Remember to flip them occasionally and brush with the leftover dressing so that they don't get too dry. They are ready when fork-tender and slightly charred.
Step 7. Remove from grill. Transfer the broccoli and broccolini from the grill to a serving dish.
Step 8. Serve. Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds and more red pepper flakes, if desired. I also love a drizzle of Sriracha sauce.
Top Tip
You can also use a grill mat to prevent any broccoli from falling through the grates or sticking and keep the grill grates cleaner.
🥗What to Serve Grilled Broccoli With
- Mains: Some of my favorite mains to serve this grilled broccoli with are this Korean kimchi chicken, barbecue pizza and grilled carne asada.
- Drinks: I have a few summery, cool drinks that would be perfect: lemonade, a blueberry mojito mocktail and this easy homemade strawberry juice.
- Desserts: Try this strawberry crumble recipe or strawberry ice cream sundae.
❓Recipe FAQs
It's going to take about 10 minutes to get it nice and fork-tender.
With this method there is no need to boil the broccoli before grilling it, but we are marinating it first.
Yes, it is recommended to rinse the broccoli clean just before using it. If you're washing it a day or two in advance, try to get it nice and dry with a salad spinner or clean towel.
You can store leftover grilled broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.
♨More Delicious Grilled Sides
Are you planning to try this grilled broccoli at your next cookout? If you tried this recipe tutorial for 🥦 How to Grill Broccoli or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
How to Grill Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 crown broccoli
- 1 bunch broccolini - or you can just use broccoli
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- sesame seeds - to garnish
- salt and pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into smaller individual pieces (but not so small that they will fall through the grill grates). For the broccolini, just trim the ends by ½".
- In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper together to make the marinade.
- Place the broccoli pieces into a dish. Drizzle the marinade over the broccoli and toss to coat. Let it sit to marinate for 20 minutes. Reserve the leftover dressing for basting later.
- Heat an outdoor grill to medium heat. Grill broccoli until fork-tender (around 10 minutes) - flipping them every 2 to 3 minutes and brushing with the reserved dressing as they are grilling so they don't get too dry.
- Transfer the broccoli and broccolini from the grill to a serving dish.
- Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds and more red pepper flakes, if desired. I also love a drizzle of Sriracha sauce.
Equipment
Notes
- Although this recipe includes both grilled broccolini and broccoli, you can easily swap one for the other instead of a combo of the two.
- It is recommended to rinse the broccoli clean just before using it. If you're washing it a day or two in advance, try to get it nice and dry with a salad spinner or clean towel.
- You can also use a grill mat to prevent any broccoli from falling through the grates or sticking and keep the grill grates cleaner.
- You can store leftover grilled broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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