Charred Broccoli Salad (Printable)

Smoky roasted broccoli with lemon, Parmesan, and toasted nuts for a fresh, flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1.1 lbs), cut into florets
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Dressing

03 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
05 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
06 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

08 - 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (about 1.4 ounces)
09 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds (optional)
10 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F or air fryer to 400°F.
02 - Toss broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil, half of the lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper.
03 - Spread broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet or air fryer basket. Roast or air-fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until edges are charred and florets are tender.
04 - If using, add sliced red onion during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and remaining lemon zest.
06 - Add hot charred broccoli and onions (if used) to the bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat with dressing.
07 - Transfer salad to a serving platter. Top with shaved Parmesan, toasted nuts, and chopped parsley as desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The charred edges give you that restaurant-quality depth you can't get from plain roasted vegetables.
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent way more time on it.
  • Works equally well as a side dish or a light lunch on its own, especially with good bread.
02 -
  • Don't wash the broccoli right before roasting—pat it completely dry or it'll steam instead of char, and you'll lose that crucial smoky flavor.
  • The dressing is essential, not optional. The acidity from the lemon and the raw garlic transform the roasted broccoli from a side vegetable into something special and craveable.
03 -
  • Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position and your baking sheet is as hot as the oven when the broccoli goes in. This gives you maximum char without burning the bottom.
  • Don't dress the broccoli until it's hot from the oven—that's when everything melds together and the flavors become unified rather than separate ingredients on a plate.
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