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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Updated: Jun 15, 2024 · Published: Jun 24, 2020 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Grill Broccoli

    Jump to Recipe
    Grilled broccoli on plate with text overlay that says 'how to grill broccoli'.

    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.

    Grilled broccoli on plate on wooden table with tongs.
    Jump to:
    • ✔️Why Grilling Broccoli Works
    • 🥦Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • Top Tip
    • 🥗What to Serve Grilled Broccoli With
    • ❓Recipe FAQs
    • ♨More Delicious Grilled Sides
    • 📋Recipe

    ✔️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

    Grilled broccoli ingredients prepped and labeled.
    • 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

    Broccoli and broccolini getting chopped.

    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.

    Broccoli marinade ingredients.

    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.

    Marinade pouring over broccoli and broccolini.

    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.

    Broccoli on the grill in tongs.

    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.

    Broccoli 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.

    Broccoli and broccolini on the grill.

    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.

    Grilled broccolini in tongs on blue plate.

    Step 7. Remove from grill. Transfer the broccoli and broccolini from the grill to a serving dish.

    Grilled broccoli on plate on outdoor wooden table.

    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

    Grilled broccoli on grill mat.

    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

    How long does fresh broccoli take to cook?

    It's going to take about 10 minutes to get it nice and fork-tender.

    Should we boil broccoli before cooking?

    With this method there is no need to boil the broccoli before grilling it, but we are marinating it first.

    Should you wash broccoli before cooking?

    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.

    How long can you store leftover grilled broccoli?

    You can store leftover grilled broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

    Grilled broccoli on plate on outdoor wooden table with red pepper flakes on the side.

    ♨More Delicious Grilled Sides

    • Grilled vegetables (escalivada) on clear, glass plate.
      Escalivada (Grilled Vegetables)
    • Grilled corn on wooden board.
      How to Grill Corn on the Cob
    • Grilled avocado halves stuffed with pico de gallo on cutting board.
      Grilled Stuffed Avocado
    • Grilled cubed mango on wooden skewers.
      Grilled Mango Skewers

    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

    Grilled broccoli on plate with tongs.

    How to Grill Broccoli

    Joss Dyckson
    I have a delicious recipe tutorial for how to grill broccoli and broccolini. This grilled broccoli recipe uses a simple marinade and good technique to elevate a sometimes despised vegetable into a true flavor sensation!
    5 from 2 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Marinating Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 208 kcal

    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

    • Outdoor grill
    • Tongs

    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

    Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 87mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2062IUVitamin C: 175mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 2mg

    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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