Grilled Broccoli

Here’s how to make grilled broccoli: it comes out charred, delightfully sweet and crisp tender. The best side dish for a grilled dinner!

When it comes to summer: the grill is king. And vegetables are positively transformed by this cooking method! Have you tried the revelation that is grilled broccoli? This is one of our new very favorite summer side dishes: the grill transforms this tasty veggie to be crisp tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Cook it simply with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, and it’s a fantastic side for any grilled dinner. (Right now it’s vying with grilled asparagus for our favorite!) Here’s how to make it.

Want to grill all the veggies? Go to Best Grilled Vegetables!

Ingredients for grilled broccoli

This grilled broccoli is simple and straightforward: designed for pairing with a meal you’re already putting on the grill. Of course, you can get fancy with your seasoning (see below). But eat it like this, and it’s incredibly tasty! Here’s what you need:

• Broccoli
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Lemon

If you’d like, you can also top with shredded Parmesan cheese to amp it up even more! Or Pecorino Romano, an even saltier and more savory aged cheese. But it’s not required: grilled broccoli is just as tasty without.

Important: how to cut broccoli for grilling

This grilled broccoli is designed to be an easy method: so you can place the broccoli right onto the grill grates. No need for a grill basket here! Here’s what to know:

• Make large florets that are easy to turn. To grill right on the grates, you’ll have chop the broccoli into very large florets. If the broccoli is too small, it’s hard to turn and can fall into the grates.
• See the photo for the approximate size. You’ll want pieces that have 2 or 3 attached florets.
• When eating, cut or tear off pieces to enjoy your broccoli.

How to grill broccoli: the easy way!

There are lots of ways to grill broccoli: in a grill basket, on a drip pan over indirect heat, marinated, and so forth. Since Alex and I are all about pretty simple cooking methods (we wrote a book about it!), we wanted to keep this one seriously easy. No special equipment required! Here’s how to grill broccoli…the easy way (or jump to the recipe):

• Preheat a grill to medium high heat. That’s about 375 to 450 degrees.
• Cut the broccoli into large florets. This makes them easy to turn: see above for details.
• Toss with olive oil and seasonings. Just salt and garlic powder go a long way!
• Grill on the grates for 6 to 8 minutes. Cook until charred and tender, turning once.
• Spritz with lemon. The key to amazing flavor! Add a few more pinches salt if necessary.

Ways to season grilled broccoli

This grilled broccoli comes out perfect as specified in the recipe below: with just olive oil, garlic powder and lemon, it’s got big, bold flavor. Step it up with adding the sprinkle of Parmesan! Of course, there are lots more ways to add intrigue. Here are a few seasonings you could sprinkle on after grilling:

• Fajita seasoning or taco seasoning.This also adds zesty flavor.
• Cajun seasoning. Add some zing and heat!
• Chili seasoning. We tried this and it added intrigue!
• Old Bay. Who could resist this blend of secret spices?
• Greek seasoning. We had some on hand, and a sprinkle is excellent on broccoli! Highly recommended.

Make it a meal!

Grilled broccoli is great for adding to the grill while you’re grilling a main dish (as long as you have room!). Or, keep the grill going and cook it up while you keep your main dish warm. Here are some ideas for serving:

• Grilled portobello burger. This Perfect Portobello Burger is full of great flavor.
• Grilled veggie burger. Amazingly, this Best Veggie Burger works on the grill (just the right texture)!
• Grilled shellfish. This Perfect Grilled Shrimp, Cajun Shrimp, Blackened Shrimp or Grilled Scallops would make a fantastic pair.
• Grilled tofu. This Grilled Tofu is full of big flavor.
• Grilled fish. Try Perfect Grilled Salmon or Grilled Ahi Tuna.

This grilled broccoli recipe is…

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

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More grilled vegetables

Grilled vegetables are our go-to easy side dishes in the summer! Here are some of the best grilled vegetables you can find:

• Grilled Asparagus or Green Beans These veggies are their best charred from the grill and spritzed with lemon.
• Perfect Grilled Peppers or Grilled Peppers and Onion Bell peppers are easy to grill and have incredible flavor.
• Grilled Romaine Grilled lettuce? Yep, it adds a delightfully smoky flavor to any salad.
• BBQ Grilled Cauliflower An easy side dish, slathered in BBQ sauce.
• Grilled Avocado, Grilled Okra or Grilled Beets The trick you didn’t know you needed!
• Best Grilled Carrots or Grilled Eggplant Perfectly charred.
• Mexican Grilled Corn (Elote) This corn is smoky and slathered in a irresistible sauce! Or turn it into Grilled Corn Salad.
• Pineapple, Bananas, or Grilled Apples a La Mode End the meal with a grilled dessert!