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Grilled Broccoli

Grilled broccoli with charred, crispy-edged florets and a bright lemon-garlic seasoning. This easy grilling method starts with a quick blanch for tender centers and fast char.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Grilled broccoli
  • 1 broccoli heads Cut into large florets
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves Minced
  • 1 lemon Zest and juice
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice Use the juice from the lemon
  • 0.5 tsp salt To taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper To taste
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes Optional
  • 0.25 cup parmesan cheese For serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Blanch the broccoli
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for 2 minutes to loosen the edges for better charring.
  2. Drain the florets well and let them steam-dry briefly so they grill instead of steam.
Season
  1. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated and glossy.
  2. Arrange the seasoned florets in a single layer on a sheet pan to prevent clumping before grilling.
Grill
  1. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat, then grill the broccoli for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and tender with visible dark grill marks.
  2. Flip only once during cooking so the edges develop crisp char rather than steaming.
Serve
  1. Transfer the charred broccoli to a serving platter and sprinkle with red pepper flakes for heat.
  2. Finish with Parmesan cheese to add a salty, nutty topping right before serving.

Notes

For the best char, make sure the drained broccoli is fairly dry and don’t crowd the grill—work in batches if needed. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat on a hot grill pan or skillet until warmed. Freezing is not recommended since broccoli can get soft when thawed. For a dairy-free swap, skip the Parmesan and add an extra pinch of salt and lemon zest for brightness.