Charred Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender broccolini grilled until lightly charred, then tossed in a bright lemon garlic butter sauce for a simple yet flavorful side. This mediterranean-inspired grilling ready in about 15 minutes pairs trimmed broccolini, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 120 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Toss 1 lb trimmed broccolini with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Place broccolini directly on the grill grates perpendicular to avoid falling through, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until bright green with some charred edges.
  3. Step 3: While broccolini grills, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Remove butter from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest.
  5. Step 5: Transfer grilled broccolini to a serving dish and drizzle the lemon garlic butter evenly over the top. Toss gently to coat and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charred Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed broccolini from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charred Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charred Broccolini with Lemon Garlic Butter?

Mediterranean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.