Charred Broccoli Salad (Printable)

Smoky, zesty broccoli with Parmesan and pine nuts offers a flavorful, crisp-tender side or light meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head broccoli (approximately 1.1 pounds), 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F or the air fryer to 400°F.
02 - Toss broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons olive oil, half of the lemon zest, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the 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 alongside the broccoli.
05 - Whisk together remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and remaining lemon zest in a large mixing bowl.
06 - Add the hot charred broccoli and onions (if included) into the bowl with dressing and toss thoroughly to coat.
07 - Transfer salad to a serving platter and top with shaved Parmesan, toasted nuts, and chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Those charred, crispy edges taste nothing like regular steamed broccoli, and suddenly you understand why roasting changed everything.
  • It comes together in 25 minutes, which means weeknight dinner or last-minute entertaining without stress.
  • The dressing is so simple that you might actually make it again, unlike recipes that ask for seven specialty ingredients you'll never use.
02 -
  • The broccoli needs to actually char and crisp, not just roast gently, so don't hold back on the heat or you'll lose the whole reason to make this salad.
  • Adding the warm roasted broccoli to the dressing matters more than it seems, the heat lets the flavors marry and makes the difference between good and memorable.
03 -
  • An air fryer actually roasts broccoli faster and crisper than an oven, and if you have one, this is a recipe where it genuinely shines.
  • Keep your oven hot and your timing short, overcooked broccoli loses its personality, but properly charred broccoli becomes something memorable.
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