Skillet-Roasted Broccoli

Name: Skillet-Roasted Broccoli
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 1 1/4 pounds broccoli crowns; 5 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 tablespoons water

By Andrea Geary

4(299)

Staff Pick 115Comments

Save

Saved

Time

35 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

1 ¼ pounds broccoli crowns

5 tablespoons vegetable oil

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons water

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

Deeply browned broccoli has a nutty flavor and a hint of crisp texture. To make it quickly on the stovetop, we cut broccoli crowns into wedges to create plenty of flat sides that sat flush with the surface of the skillet, and we steamed the broccoli initially to soften it. When the water evaporated, the oil filled any gaps between the broccoli and the skillet for optimal heat transfer and browning.

Want more? Read the whole story

Before You Begin

We developed this recipe with Diamond Crystal kosher salt, which has large grains. If using smaller-grained Morton's kosher salt, use only ½ teaspoon. Try this broccoli with our sesame and orange topping, smoky sunflower seed topping, or Parmesan and black pepper topping.

Instructions

Cut 1¼ pounds broccoli crowns into 4 wedges if 3 to 4 inches in diameter or 6 wedges if 4 to 5 inches in diameter.

Add 5 tablespoons vegetable oil to 12-inch nonstick or carbon-steel skillet and tilt skillet until oil covers surface. Add broccoli, cut side down (pieces will fit snugly; if a few pieces don't fit in bottom layer, place on top). Sprinkle evenly with ¾ teaspoon kosher salt and drizzle with 2 tablespoons water. Cover and cook over high heat, without moving broccoli, until broccoli is bright green, about 4 minutes.

Uncover and press gently on broccoli with back of spatula. Cover and cook until undersides of broccoli are deeply browned and stems are crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes.

Off heat, uncover and turn broccoli so second cut side is touching skillet. Move any pieces that were on top so they are flush with skillet surface. Return to high heat and continue to cook, uncovered, pressing gently on broccoli with back of spatula, until second cut side is deeply browned, 3 to 5 minutes longer. Transfer to platter and serve.