Oven roasted broccoli with lemon pepper is a quick and flavorful side dish that is the MVP of all side dishes, and best of all, it is ready in less than 20 minutes! It is bright, zesty, healthy, and perfectly crispy every time. So, without further ado, let's make it!
Jump to:
No meal is complete without a great side dish like oven-roasted broccoli! Try these white chicken enchiladas for a quick weeknight option, this white cheddar mac and cheese with crispy cauliflower for something hearty, and this delicious sweet and sour sausage recipe for a quick and easy meal!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This simple oven method yields crispy and flavorful, not soggy broccoli.
- Oven roasted broccoli is a quick and easy side dish for any meal, and it is great for meal prep!
- It is bursting with robust, tangy flavor. The lemon pepper adds a lovely depth of flavor, even on something as simple as broccoli.
Summarize and Save This Recipe Using:
Ingredients To Make Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Broccoli Florets - Use fresh broccoli florets; do not use frozen broccoli.
- Avocado Oil - I love using Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray (not sponsored), but any high smoke point oil can be substituted, such as vegetable oil, peanut oil or grapeseed oil.
- Lemon Pepper - Lemon pepper is optional, but highly encouraged! It pairs beautifully with the roasted broccoli, giving it a bright, tangy flavor.
A full ingredient list with the exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Optional Broccoli Flavors
- Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning - can't find lemon pepper seasoning in the store? Make it from scratch using a quick blend of lemon zest, cracked pepper and salt.
- Lemon Garlic Broccoli - add 2 cloves of roasted garlic to the broccoli after it has baked, at the same time as the lemon pepper.
- Crispy Parmesan Broccoli - sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Spicy Lemon Broccoli - add a pinch of red pepper flakes after the broccoli is done baking, at the same time as the lemon pepper.
- Savory Olive Oil Broccoli - at the end of baking time, lightly drizzle the broccoli with a high-quality olive oil for a fabulous flavor. It is important that the olive oil is used after baking so it doesn't burn.
See this crispy cauliflower recipe on my website for an alternative recipe that can be made interchangeably with broccoli.
What To Serve With Roasted Broccoli
Ready in under 20 minutes, this oven roasted broccoli with lemon pepper makes an easy, healthy side dish for any meal.
Serve roasted broccoli as a side to cashew chicken, one pan Gouda mac and cheese, pan-seared salmon or red curry coconut baked dumplings. It is also perfect for meal prep and can be included as a side to stuffed chicken breast, honey dijon salmon, and roast chicken.
Pair oven roasted broccoli with other sides like bacon brussel sprouts, crispy roasted cauliflower, oven fries, and yam fries for an excellent holiday meal spread!
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
How To Make Oven Roasted Broccoli
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, toss the broccoli with the avocado oil, salt and pepper. Spread it out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer.
Step 2
Bake the broccoli for 14-18 minutes at 425°F until the tops start to brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the lemon pepper seasoning over top, tossing to coat. Serve immediately.
Helpful Tips For Perfect Broccoli
- Dry the broccoli very well before roasting. After you wash your broccoli, pat it dry or run it through a salad spinner to remove all excess water. This will ensure crispy broccoli!
- Do not use frozen broccoli to make this recipe. Frozen broccoli contains too much water and will melt and create steam in the oven, producing wet and soggy broccoli.
- Add the lemon pepper at the end, after the broccoli has roasted in the oven. If you add lemon pepper before roasting, it will burn.
- If you prefer a less intense lemony flavor, reduce the lemon pepper to 1 teaspoon, or don't use it at all. The roasted broccoli is delicious either way!
- Don't overcrowd the pan; this could result in soggy broccoli!
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover roasted broccoli in an airtight container and use it within 3 days for optimal freshness.
Reheat broccoli in the oven or an air fryer for the best texture. Avoid microwaving it, as that will make it soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, do not use frozen broccoli to make this recipe. Frozen broccoli contains too much water and will cause steam in the oven. The broccoli will be wet and soggy instead of crispy and tender.
Yes! Follow the same steps for carrots, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and even cabbage steaks!
Absolutely! The air fryer is an excellent tool to use to make roasted broccoli! Follow the same steps, air frying the broccoli at 400°F for around 7 minutes. Keep in mind that all appliance models are different, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn!
Lemon pepper is sold in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
Likely, it was too wet from washing, or you used frozen broccoli. Ensure broccoli is completely dry before tossing with oil, salt and pepper. If there is too much water in the broccoli, it will create steam in the oven instead of dry heat, causing the broccoli to go soggy. For this reason, do not use frozen broccoli for this recipe.
Yes! Roasted broccoli can be made ahead of time and warmed in the oven for a few extra minutes before serving. Making it ahead of time, it will not be as crispy as if it were made fresh, but it will still be delicious!
More Side Dish Recipes
Looking for more side dish recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Oven Roasted Broccoli with Lemon Pepper
↑ click the stars to rate this recipe ↑
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 650 grams Broccoli Florets
- 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Lemon Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli florets, avocado oil, salt and pepper. Toss to distribute the oil and spices evenly among all of the broccoli. Spread broccoli onto the prepared baking sheet in a single, even layer. Bake for 14-18 minutes until the broccoli is just starting to get crispy on top and is lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and toss roasted broccoli with the lemon pepper seasoning. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately.
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Notes
- Dry broccoli well before roasting; wet broccoli will cause steam, and the broccoli will go soft in the oven.
- Do not use frozen broccoli for this recipe.
- Only add the lemon pepper seasoning after the broccoli is cooked to prevent burning.
- If you prefer a less intense lemony flavor, use less lemon pepper or omit altogether.
- Try some flavor variations to match your pairings better. Such as lemon parmesan, olive oil, lemon garlic, and spicy lemon toppings.
- Don't overcrowd the pan; make sure broccoli is spread in a thin single layer on the baking sheet to prevent soggy broccoli.
- Store leftover broccoli for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
This is our ultimate favourite quick and easy side dish for any meal! It is a staple in our kitchen, and we hope you love it as much as we do!