Citrus-Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Broccoli makes a great and healthy side to accompany pretty much any main course. This green vegetable is filled with health benefits that are worth bragging about. Healthline shares that broccoli features fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. It even contains more protein than most vegetables, so really, what's not to love?

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge came up with this tasty recipe that makes a perfect side or starter. "I love how simple and easy this recipe is to follow. The ingredients are also easily accessible," Olayinka raves. "Broccoli is a vegetable that most people usually have on hand. The lemon zest really gives the recipe a nice flavor." Another plus is that a few other variations add flavor to the broccoli. Olayinka says you can use other spices "such as garlic powder or onion powder." She continues, "You could also add some Parmesan cheese to the recipe for an extra cheesy flavor. Another variation would be to roast the broccoli in balsamic vinegar and olive oil mixture."

Ready to begin? Start with a trip to the store. For this recipe, you will need two heads of broccoli, avocado oil, salt, and lemon zest. By the way, this same recipe goes great with other veggies. "This recipe can also be used for roasted cauliflower. Just substitute the broccoli for cauliflower florets. The cooking time will be the same," Olayinka notes.

You will need to use your oven for this recipe, so go ahead and preheat yours to 425 F. As another prep step, take out a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent the broccoli from sticking. 

In the meantime, grab a large bowl and add the broccoli florets, avocado oil, salt, and lemon zest. Give it a few good tosses until you evenly coat the broccoli. "The lemon zest is the special ingredient in this recipe. It really brightens up the flavors of the dish," Olayinka shares.

Once you finish tossing the broccoli, grab the prepared baking sheet. Pour the broccoli onto the sheet in a single layer, ensuring no pieces overlap. This will help the broccoli to cook a little more evenly. 

Make sure that the oven has finished preheating. If it has, pop the broccoli into the oven, set your timer for 10 minutes, and cook until the broccoli is nice and tender. You can always test by piercing it with a fork and seeing if the fork goes in easily, which means it's done. "Just make sure to watch the broccoli closely, so it doesn't overcook," Olayinka notes.

If you opt to use frozen broccoli instead of fresh, that's fine. "Just add an extra minute or two to the cooking time," Olayinka says.

Carefully remove the broccoli from the oven when it finishes cooking. Now, you can serve it as you wish. This would make a great appetizer or starter, but it would also be great as a side for pretty much any protein. Whether you are making chicken, salmon, or anything else — broccoli is the perfect side dish.

And, as for leftovers: "This [broccoli] can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days," Olayinka notes.