This oven-roasted broccoli recipe produces the simplest but best-tasting broccoli you’ll ever have.
An entire head of broccoli is roasted in under 30 minutes for intensely flavored and crunchy eats. The taste and presentation is special occasion worthy, but the execution makes this any day, everyday thing
Roasted Broccoli Ingredients
You’ll only need a head of broccoli, olive oil, and your seasoning of choice. Simple salt and pepper work great or you can take my approach and use jerk spice.
How to roast a broccoli head (step by step)
Did I mention how simple this recipe is? It’s a TWO-stepper, as in season and roast. So let me break this down:
Step 1: How to season the broccoli
Douse the head with olive oil then add seasoning. Kosher salt and coarse black pepper work great. For next level flavor use a pre-mix spice rub like cajun, garam masala, etc. I keep a lot of jerk seasoning on hand so just used it.
Step 2: How to roast broccoli in the oven
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Trim broccoli stem as much as you can without the florets falling apart, but enough so that the broccoli can sit flat. Pack the broccoli into a round baking dish. Add about a ¼-1/2 cup water to the pan. Roast for 20-25 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
I like to add a bit more oil, seasoning plus citrus like lime or lemon juice. Grated parmesan cheese is also a great add. Make this one any weeknight or add to your Thanksgiving menu. It’s extremely hands-off so will free you up for other tasks. Pair the broccoli with blackened chicken or pork chops as well as lamb or grilled fish.
Tips For Roasting Whole Broccoli
- This presents well if fully intact so don’t cut too much off the stem
- The tighter the fit (broccoli to baking bowl) the better
- Use a good quality olive oil. I used about two tablespoons of olive oil in this recipe, but feel free to use more (up to a ½ cup) to avoid too much browning of the crown top. Another safeguard would be to cover the top with foil after the first 15 minutes of cooking.
- Season before and after cooking
- Olive oil + jerk seasoning + lime juice make for a great topping for the broccoli
Frequently asked questions
Can roasted broccoli be frozen?
Yes this can be frozen but you’ll need to cut the head into individual florets. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet then place in a freezer to allow the individual florets to freeze. Once frozen you can transfer them all to a freezer bag where they will not stick together.
Does This Recipe Work For Florets?
Yes, but roasting florets this way can be tricky. For one it’s really easy to burn smaller pieces so you’ll need to reduce both cooking time and temperature.
For similar recipes you might like, try these:
Air Fryer Broccoli w/ Cheese Sauce
If you make this oven-roasted broccoli recipe please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.
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Ingredients
- 1 Whole Broccoli Head
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F
- Trim the broccoli stem so that the broccoli can sit flat, but be careful and avoid trimming so much the florets fall apart
- Season the broccoli with the oil, salt, and pepper
- Roast the broccoli 20-25 minutes. Remove and set aside
- Add more seasoning and/or olive oil to taste if needed.
Video
Notes
- This presents well if fully intact so don’t cut too much off the stem
- The tighter the fit (broccoli to baking bowl) the better
- Use a good quality olive oil. I used about two tablespoons of olive oil in this recipe, but feel free to use more (up to a ½ cup) to avoid too much browning of the crown top. Another safeguard would be to cover the top with foil after the first 15 minutes
- Season before and after cooking
- Olive oil + jerk seasoning + lime juice make for a great topping for the broccoli
Amy E
Wednesday 20th of April 2022
I'm baffled. I tried it last night and after 15 minutes, the broccoli head was blackened and the broccoli itself was not done. I put it the pan on the center rack. Anyone else have this experience? Any tips?
Marwin Brown
Wednesday 20th of April 2022
Hi thanks for trying the recipe. A couple of thoughts given temperatures vary oven to oven. To address the interior of the broccoli not being done issue add about a quarter cup of water to the baking pan which will help steam the broccoli. To prevent too much browning of the crown add more olive oil and check the broccoli after 15 minutes of cooking. If there are signs of browning then cover the top with foil until the broccoli is cooked through. I'll add these to the notes, but definitely thanks for your feedback and I apologize for the directions not getting you the desired results.
Laura Anenberg
Friday 10th of September 2021
do you cover the roasting dish
Marwin Brown
Monday 13th of September 2021
No need to cover, I let the whole broccoli head roast as is.
Ramona
Monday 24th of August 2020
WOW! This roasted broccoli looks perfect for a quick dish. It looks so steamy and crunchy which i love. I would love to make this on the side with something. I cant wait to try this out, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Natalie
Monday 24th of August 2020
Sounds fantastic! I never roasted the whole broccoli. But now I must. This is great idea and looks really delicious. I saved the recipe to give it a try.
Jamie
Monday 24th of August 2020
Love this idea of roasting the entire broccoli! It came out delicious and I served it as a side for last nights dinner!