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Here’s how to cook broccoli rabe, or rapini, the fast way! This notoriously bitter vegetable can be mellowed with a few quick tricks.
Do you like bitter foods? Some people are particularly sensitive to bitterness. If that’s you, you probably won’t like broccoli rabe. But if you take your coffee black and like eating kale, then you’ll probably like this notoriously bitter veggie!
I love bitter flavors, so I enjoy this recipe for broccoli rabe, also known as rapini. Keep in mind it’s best to get a bunch that is as young and tender as possible for a more mellow flavor. Spritzed with lemon and broiled with a little garlic, it’s pretty darn tasty! Here’s how to cook it.
A few facts about broccoli rabe
Here are a few fun facts about broccoli rabe to get us started:
- Broccoli rabe isn’t broccoli. It’s more closely related to a turnip than broccoli or broccolini. They’re all part of the same larger family called cruciferous vegetables. That family includes veggies like kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
- Rabe is pronounced “Rob.” Just like the guy’s name!
- The Italian name is rapini. In fact, it was first introduced in the United States by an Italian grower in the late 1920s. You might find it in Italian cuisine like pasta, sautéed with sausage, on a pizza or sandwich, or in soups and stews.
- The flavor is bitter. If you don’t like bitter flavors, stay away from broccoli rabe! This veggie is also nice offset with some sweeter, savory, or tangy flavors in a recipe.
The basic steps
I did lots of research on the best way to cook broccoli rabe. Most sources blanch it in boiling water to remove the bitterness, then sauté it for a long time. I wondered if there was a simpler way to do this, and came across recipes that suggested broiling the veggie for a few minutes. I tried it, and it worked! Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Preheat a broiler. Wash the broccoli rabe and pat it dry. Cut off the tough bottom stems, leaving the florets and leaves. (Chopping the leaves and florets can cause bitterness.)
Step 2: Place the broccoli rabe in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, and mix. Place it on the baking sheet. Broil 2 minutes, then remove the sheet and stir. Broil 2 minutes more until fully wilted.
Step 3: Stir in lemon juice and zest. Taste and add salt or fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Ways to make it less bitter
Here are a few tips for making this veggie less bitter:
- Find plants that are young and tender, not too mature. When you’re shopping, you might not have a lot of options, but if you can, steer toward broccoli rabe that is younger and tender. Of course, there’s no way to really know until you eat it!
- Don’t chop too much. Simply remove the bottom stem! Chopping the broccoli rabe can cause the plant to become even more bitter. Remove just the very tough bottom stem only. Don’t chop the leaves or florets!
- Serve with other flavors to complement. This recipe uses lemon juice, but you can also add sweetness or other savory flavors.
Another broccoli rabe recipe
If you’re worried about eating this bitter veggie straight up, try it in the context of a recipe! I like it with these white beans on toast. The garlicky, savory white beans and aged Parmesan cheese play off the bitterness of the vegetable perfectly.
Dietary notes
This broccoli rabe recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Trim the tough ends of the stems and separate the florets. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
Blanching helps reduce the bitterness. Additionally, cooking it with strong flavors like garlic, chili flakes, or lemon juice can balance out the bitterness.
Broccoli rabe pairs well with various dishes, including pasta, sausage, grilled meats, and seafood. It can also be enjoyed as a standalone side dish.
How to Cook Broccoli Rabe
Here’s how to cook broccoli rabe, or rapini, the fast way! This notoriously bitter vegetable can be mellowed with a few quick tricks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Broiled
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 bunches broccoli rabe (1 to 1 1/2 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Brush the baking sheet with olive oil. Preheat a broiler.
- Wash the broccoli rabe in cold water, then pat it dry with a clean dish towel.
- Cut the floret off the stems, keeping the leaves and florets intact. (You can discard the stems.)
- Place the broccoli rabe in a bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, and kosher salt and mix until well combined. Place it on the baking sheet.
- Broil 2 minutes, then remove the sheet and stir.
- Broil 2 minutes more until fully wilted.
- Stir in the lemon juice & zest. Taste and add salt or fresh ground black pepper to taste.
More tasty side dishes
Broccoli rabe is just one option for tasty veggie-forward side dishes. Here are a few more:
Well, if someone chopped you up into small pieces, you would probably get more bitter too.