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Here’s how to cook broccoli rabe (aka 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 bitter. If that’s you: well, 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!
Alex and I love bitter flavors, so we enjoyed this recipe for broccoli rabe, also known as rapini. Keep in mind it’s best to get a bunch that is young and tender as possible, to make for a mellow flavor. Spritzed with lemon and broiled with a little garlic: it’s pretty darn tasty! Here’s how to cook it.
A few broccoli rabe (rapini) facts
Here are a few fun facts about broccoli rabe, to get us started:
- Broccoli rabe is actually not 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, cauliflower, and broccoli.
- Rabe is pronounced “Rob.” Just like a guy’s name!
- The Italian name is rapini. You might find it in Italian cuisine like pasta, sauteed 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.
How to cook broccoli rabe (basic steps)
Alex and 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 saute it for a long time. As we often do, we wondered…is there a simpler way to do this? We came across the Cooks Illustrated “A New Way to Cook Broccoli Rabe,” which suggested broiling this veggie for a few minutes would do the trick. We 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. If you can, steer toward broccoli rabe that is younger and tender. Very mature plants can be even more bitter. Of course, there’s no way to 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 event more bitter. So remove just the very tough bottom stem only. Don’t chop the leaves or florets!
- Serve with other flavors to compliment. 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! Might we suggest this White Beans on Toast recipe? It pairs garlicky, savory white beans and aged Parmesan cheese with broccoli rabe, which play off the bitterness perfectly.
Dietary notes
This broccoli rabe (rapini) 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
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Here’s how to cook broccoli rabe (rapini)…the fast way! This notoriously bitter vegetable can be mellowed with a few quick tricks.
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.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Broiled
- Cuisine: Italian
Other best side dish recipes!
Broccoli rabe is one of a huge host of the best vegetables you can eat. Here are some of our favorite ways to eat them vegetable side dishes:
- Best Ever Sauteed Kale The best way to eat this healthy leafy green! Scented with garlic and cooked in olive oil until tender, you’ll want to eat it every day.
- Roasted Broccoli Tastes SO GOOD you can’t stop sneaking bites! It’s charred until tender, then spritzed with lemon juice.
- Best Ever Sauteed Mushrooms Here’s THE perfect sauteed mushrooms recipe! It brings out the best savory flavor with lemon and fresh herbs.
- Peas with Lemon 5 minutes! Cooking frozen peas with garlic and lemon makes them taste incredible.
- Sauteed Spinach (That Tastes Amazing) Wow, this sauteed spinach really does taste amazing! It’s scented with garlic and lemon.
Well, if someone chopped you up into small pieces, you would probably get more bitter too.