Sauteed Broccolini

Sauteed broccolini It is one of the fastest, tastiest side dishes there is! Cook it up in 5 minutes with garlic and lemon.

When it comes to quick and impressive side dishes, this one might be tops: Sauteed Broccolini! The elegantly long stems of this green veggie make it look fancy, but here’s a secret. You can cook it up in just 5 minutes in a hot skillet. Add a bit of garlic and lemon, and you won’t be able to stop eating these irresistibly large spears. Here’s how to make it in a flash: and a bit more about this unique vegetable.

What is broccolini?

Broccolini might look like baby broccoli: and in fact, it’s sometimes labeled that way in the produce aisle! But technically, it’s not an immature version of the real thing. Broccolini is a cross between standard broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has the long stems of Chinese broccoli and the florets of broccoli. Why we like it? Broccolini has a milder, sweeter flavor than standard broccoli. The long stems also give it a lovely elegant look on the plate.

Interestingly, broccolini was invented in 1993: so there’s a reason that it’s new to the scene! It’s becoming easier to find at standard grocery stores: usually right next to the standard broccoli. Look for small bunches of broccoli with long stems.

How to make sauteed broccolini: some tips

Sauteed broccolini is quick and simple: the cooking goes fast! Once you’ve tried it once, you won’t need to follow a recipe. But for the first time, here are some tips for cooking and seasoning it to perfection:

Chop off the tough lower portions of the stems. Slice any very large florets in half lengthwise, which makes them easier to eat.
Sauté the broccolini 3 to 4 minutes in olive oil. Stir occasionally and cook until just starting to brown at the edges. At this point, the pan will be starting to get dry.
Add a bit of water, salt and garlic powder and cook 2 to 3 minutes. This last part of cooking gently steams the broccolini (it’s a technique we use for broccoli as well). It cooks it the rest of the way so that it’s bright green and tender.
Add any remaining seasonings. We like to add lemon juice at the end for a little brightness, but it’s not required!

Ways to serve sauteed broccolini

Sautéed broccolini is the ideal quick side dish for fast meals! We love to pair it with easy main dishes to make for a quick weeknight meals. But of course it’s also great for entertaining because it comes together so easily. It’s especially nice to pair with main dishes you make in the oven, since the stovetop is free. Here’s how we’d pair it:

Pasta like Asparagus Pasta with Lemon, Lemon Ricotta Pasta, Truffle Mac and Cheese or Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Seafood like Perfect Tuna Steak, Baked Tilapia with Lemon or Shrimp Scampi
Veggie mains like Easy BBQ Tofu or Quick Tofu Crumbles

More broccolini recipes

Love broccolini? This unique vegetable is ideal for cooking in many different ways!

Try Simple Roasted Broccolini
Fire up the grill for Grilled Broccolini
Go for a Broccolini Salad

This sauteed broccolini recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.