Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic (Easy Small Batch Recipe)

Name: Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic (Easy Small Batch Recipe)
Prep time: 4 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 large bunch broccolini; 1 clove garlic; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or olive oil for vegan); 1 tablespoon water; sea salt (to taste); freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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This sautéed broccolini recipe is a simple small batch side dish that's fresh, easy, and made in one pan in just 10 minutes. And if you're new to broccolini, this easy recipe is a great one to start with. You can eat the whole thing (stems, florets, and leaves), which makes it one of the easiest greens to cook.

Sautéed broccolini with garlic on a white plate atop a blue and tan plaid napkin.

You can never have too many simple side dishes in your back pocket, especially the ones that take just minutes to make and are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious. This recipe for broccolini and garlic absolutely pops with fresh flavor and helps brighten up even the simplest everyday meals. (My kind of side!)

Unlike roasting or steaming, this sautéed version brings out the natural sweetness of broccolini while keeping the texture crisp and vibrant.

Follow along, I'll show you how to make it. 🙂

🌿 Ingredients

Fresh broccolini stalks next to small glass bowls of butter and minced garlic on a brown wood table.

Broccolini season peaks during the cooler months, and you'll have the most luck finding it in larger grocery stores or natural foods stores. You may also see it referred to as "baby broccoli" in some stores.

Broccoli rabe vs broccolini

Note that there is another vegetable called broccoli rabe that actually looks very similar to broccolini. Broccoli rabe (also called "rapini") is also a cruciferous vegetable, but its flavor is not as sweet as broccolini; it's a bit more bitter. However, it can definitely be substituted in this recipe and especially if you prefer a more bitter taste.

See recipe card below for exact quantities.

📝 Instructions

Minced garlic sautéing in butter in a stainless steel skillet. — Wash and trim the broccolini, and sauté the garlic in butter over medium heat.

📖 Variations

Here are a couple of variations on this dish that I love:

Asian broccolini - leave out the minced garlic and drizzle a little sesame dressing or miso sauce over the broccolini just before serving
Spicy broccolini - add some chili pepper flakes while cooking to add some extra heat to the dish

🥧 Serving suggestions

Broccolini goes well with grilled fish or chicken such as this oven baked salmon or this walnut chicken, and it even works well alongside an omelette for a wholesome start to the day. I love pairing it with these roasted fingerling potatoes, either for breakfast or dinner.

💭 FAQ

Should I remove the broccolini leaves before sautéing?

Broccolini leaves are perfectly edible if you'd like to include them for extra texture and flavor, or you can trim them away; it's really just personal preference.

Do I need to blanch the broccolini before I sauté it?

Blanching is not necessary for broccolini unless you'd prefer a slightly more tender texture. If you would like to blanch it first, simply place the trimmed broccolini in boiling water for a minute or so and then immediately submerge it in a bowl of ice water to cool, and dry.

🍳 Recipe