Lemon Roasted Broccoli with Chili

Brighten up your dinner table in a snap with this simple yet immensely flavorful Lemon Roasted Broccoli. Bursting with tangy citrus notes, a kick of Asian chili paste, and the warmth of roasted garlic, this recipe will revitalize your love for this green powerhouse.

In just 20 minutes, transform ordinary broccoli into an extraordinary, vibrant side dish. Its unique Asian-inspired twist complements a variety of main dishes.

Lemon Roasted Garlic Broccoli

This roasted broccoli is perfect for an easy dinner. The lemon juice adds a nice bright flavor to the broccoli, while the chili paste and garlic give it depth and intensity. If you’re bored with the same old steamed broccoli for dinner, change things up with this zesty roasted crispy broccoli.

Roasted broccoli has more flavor

Not only does roasting the broccoli make this an incredibly easy recipe, but the roasting process enhances the flavor. Roasting the broccoli will caramelize the natural sugars in the vegetable and add a slight sweetness to the broccoli that will complement the hot pepper and roasted garlic.

Don’t be put off by the idea of sweet broccoli, it isn’t actually sweet like sugar or honey. However, there is a noticeable difference when a vegetable is roasted and allowed to caramelize a bit.

What is Sambal Oelek

We used Sambal Oelek in this recipe. Sambal Oelek is basically freshly ground red chilies with a little seasoning. It sounds too simple but there is nothing simple about this chili paste. There is a special kind of magic in those little red chilis. They don’t just pack heat and spice but they have a great flavor.

Sambal Oelek has infinite uses and is a great condiment to keep stocked in the fridge. Even though it is found in the Asian section, it doesn’t have to be exclusively relegated to Asian dishes. You can add it to soups, pasta, sandwich spreads or sauces. If you don’t have Sambal Oelek or can’t find it at your local grocery store, you can substitute Sriracha.

Choosing and prepping the broccoli

While frozen produce is convenient, nothing beats fresh vegetables. This recipe screams for fresh broccoli. Choose nice bright green bundles and make sure they are not limp. Make sure the florets are not turning yellow or brown and check the ends of the stalks to make sure they aren’t dry or cracked.

Slice the broccoli into long spears. Try to cut the broccoli spears into equal sizes so they cook evenly. Slightly thinner wedges will give you more even cooking and more caramelization.

For a shortcut, you can purchase a package of broccoli florets instead of large stalks. Check the package to make sure all the florets are bright green.

How to Roast Broccoli

Oven roasted broccoli only takes a few minutes to prep, and it is such an easy side dish. Here are the recipe highlights. Make sure you scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details. 

1. Preheat the oven. Make sure the oven is hot so you can get crispy edges on the florets. 
2. Toss everything together and spread the broccoli out on a baking sheet.
3. Roast the broccoli until the stalks are tender and the edges get crispy.

Flavor Variations

Here are a few ideas to shake things up a bit when you roast broccoli:

1. Roasted Broccoli with Sesame: Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds before roasting for an extra crunch and a delightful nutty flavor. Sesame oil can also replace olive oil for an added depth of flavor.
2. Lemon and Parmesan Roasted Broccoli: Top the broccoli with grated Parmesan cheese just a few minutes before it finishes roasting for a savory and indulgent spin on the recipe.
3. Lemon Ginger Roasted Broccoli: Grate some fresh ginger and mix it in with the chili paste and garlic for an added layer of spicy warmth.
4. Mediterranean Roasted Broccoli: Toss the broccoli with a mix of Kalamata olives, capers, garlic, and lemon. Just before serving, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and a dash of dried oregano over the top. 

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• Zesty Curried Probiotic Vegetables
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• Broccoli casserole