Sautéed Broccoli Rabe
This easy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe recipe combines fresh greens, fragrant garlic, and olive oil for a classic side dish that's simple enough for weeknights but elegant enough for entertaining.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 137kcal
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds broccoli rabe trimmed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While the water heats, trim about ½ inch from the tough ends of the broccoli rabe stems and discard any yellow or wilted leaves.
- Cut the broccoli rabe into 2 to 3-inch pieces.
- Add the broccoli rabe to the boiling water and blanch for 1 to 2 minutes, or until bright green and just beginning to soften.
- Drain well, then gently squeeze out any excess moisture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
- Add the blanched broccoli rabe to the skillet and toss to coat it in the garlic oil.
- Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stems are tender and the leaves are lightly caramelized in places.
- Season with the salt and black pepper, then remove the skillet from the heat.
- Drizzle with the fresh lemon juice, toss to combine, and serve warm.
Notes
- Dry It Well: After blanching, gently squeeze out excess water so the greens sauté instead of steam.
- Serve Immediately: Broccoli rabe has the best texture and flavor when served hot right out of the skillet.
- Taste Before Serving: Broccoli rabe naturally has a slightly bitter flavor, so don't be afraid to add an extra pinch of salt or another squeeze of lemon juice to suit your taste.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: If your skillet is small, cook in batches so the broccoli rabe browns instead of steaming.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 352mg | Potassium: 356mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4535IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 4mg