Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.
Charred, smoky, Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli with creamy lemon tahini is the perfect side dish. It’s quick and easy to make, tastes divine, and is full of nutritious goodness. What’s not to love?
Today is the fifth and final day of my five days of tenderstem broccoli. I’ve absolutely loved bringing these delicious and nutritious broccolini recipes to your kitchen. I hope I’ve inspired you to try new ways of cooking this delicious vegetable.
Let’s do a quick recap.
We started out on Monday with my favorite way to cook Pan-Fried Tenderstem Broccoli. On Tuesday, we ramped up the flavor of Steamed Tenderstem Broccoli. Wednesday, I shared my crisp-tender Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli recipe. Yesterday was the most delicious Air Fryer Tenderstem Broccoli. And today, I’m bringing you Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli. And it’s another winner, my friend!
You can grab all the broccolini side dishes here:
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with nutrients: This easy side dish is packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it the perfect side dish or snack.
- Refreshing: The lemon tahini dressing adds a tangy and refreshing kick to earthy broccolini.
- Minimal prep: It’s really as simple as rinsing, drying, trimming, and grilling the broccoli, and then mixing together the dressing ingredients. You’ll have a super-tasty yet simple dish on the dinner table in 15 minutes or less.
Health Benefits: One important nutrient in broccoli is vitamin C, which plays a vital role in the immune system. Vitamin C helps to protect cells from damage and infection, and it also promotes collagen production, wound healing, and iron absorption. [Source]
Ingredients
Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this great side dish. And don’t fret, and they’re easy to find at pretty much all the local grocery stores.
GRILLED BROCCOLINI
- Tenderstem Broccoli (Broccolini): An excellent vegetable for grilling. The grill brings out its natural sweetness and adds the best smoky charred flavor. It’s so good! I’m using my grill pan for convenience. But you can do this on the BBQ if you prefer.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: This helps prevent the broccoli from sticking to the grill and adds flavor.
GARLIC LEMON TAHINI SAUCE
- Tahini: Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a good source of protein and healthy fats.
- Garlic: Garlic cloves add a deep savory flavor.
- Lemon: Adds acidity and brightness.
- Water: Helps thin the sauce and make it easier to drizzle.
- Sea Salt Flakes: To make the flavors pop!
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For a little warmth.
Instructions
Here’s how to make this delicious side dish in six simple steps:
These visual step-by-step instructions provide a quick overview of the recipe. You can find the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions at the bottom of this post. ⇩
1: Add the tahini sauce ingredients to a small bowl.
2: Whisk into a thick paste. Then, add water a little at a time until your desired thickness is reached. This will depend on the consistency of your tahini and the amount of lemon juice you get from your lemon. I added 3 tablespoons of water.
3: Mix until well combined. Then, add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
4: Brush the hot griddle pan with oil, then add the broccoli in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
5: Grill for 3-5 minutes on each side. Turn occasionally until the broccoli is a vibrant green color, charred and tender.
6: Arrange the broccolini on a serving platter. Drizzle with Garlic Lemon Tahini Sauce, and sprinkle some sesame seeds.
Top Tips
Trim the ends. The broccolini ends can be tough and woody, so it’s best to remove them before cooking.
Slice thick stems. If any broccolini stems are thicker than the others, slice them in half lengthwise so they cook evenly.
Dry the broccoli. Excess moisture can prevent the broccoli from browning and crisping on the grill. Pat the broccoli dry with paper towels or a clean tea towel before seasoning and grilling.
Flip the vegetables frequently. Regularly flipping the broccoli will help it to cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the grill.
Substitutions
- Tenderstem Broccoli: You can substitute other broccoli varieties, such as fresh broccoli florets, thinly sliced broccoli stems, broccoli rabe, courgette, red peppers, spring onions, or asparagus spears. Although cooking time will vary for each different vegetable.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You can substitute other oils, such as avocado oil or ghee.
- Salt: You can substitute kosher salt, low-sodium salt, or garlic salt for the sea salt flakes.
- Tahini: You can substitute nut butter, such as peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter. You can also use mashed avocado or yogurt.
- Garlic: You can substitute garlic powder or garlic flakes for the fresh garlic. But use sparingly.
- Lemon: You can substitute lime juice or orange juice for the lemon juice.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few examples of how I love to use Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli:
- As a side dish: Grilled broccoli is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served with pretty much any main course. It pairs well with chicken, fish, tofu, vegetable steaks, and plenty more.
- In a salad: Try adding it to a Caesar salad, Cobb salad, or a kale salad.
- In a stir-fry: Grilled broccolini pairs well with other vegetables, such as carrots, squash, onions, and peppers, and with proteins, like turkey, beef, or seafood, making it a fab addition to stir fries.
- In a sandwich: Grilled broccoli is a delicious way to add extra nutrition to sandwiches. Try adding it to a grilled cheese sandwich, a BLT, or a veggie wrap.
- As a snack: Grilled broccoli and tahini sauce is a great option for a healthy snack.
Storage
Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli is best served immediately. But if you do have any leftovers and want to avoid waste, here are some storage tips:
- Fridge: Grilled broccoli can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: It can also be frozen for 2-3 months. However, the texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing.
- Reheating: You can use the microwave or stovetop to reheat your tasty side dish. Here’s how…
- Microwave: Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely. Microwave on medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Stovetop: Heat a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Add the broccoli to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
FAQs
Tenderstem broccoli is a hybrid of Chinese kale and regular broccoli. It has long, thin stalks and small florets, and it’s known for its tender and sweet flavor.
Yes, you can use other types of broccoli for grilling, such as regular broccoli, long-stem broccoli, or broccoli rabe. However, tenderstem broccoli is my favorite type for grilling because it has longer, thinner stems that cook quickly and evenly.
Yes, tenderstem broccoli and broccolini are the same vegetable. Tenderstem broccoli was first produced in Japan in 1993 and is a trademarked name for broccolini, a hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale. So, whether you call it tenderstem broccoli or broccolini, you’re talking about the same vegetable!
Is tenderstem broccoli the same as long stem broccoli?
No, tenderstem broccoli is not the same as long-stem broccoli. Long-stem broccoli is also known as Chinese broccoli or gai lan. It has long, thick stems with leaves and small florets at the top. It is more similar in appearance to regular broccoli but with longer, thicker stems. Long-stem broccoli is commonly used in Asian cuisine and has a slightly bitter taste.
No, tenderstem broccoli and baby broccoli are not the same vegetable. Baby broccoli is simply standard broccoli that has been harvested early. It has small florets and tender stalks but is not as delicate as tenderstem broccoli.
More Healthy Recipes
Looking for more easy recipes? Try these next…
Have you tried this broccolini recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below! It would make my day if you could also leave a comment to help other readers and this blog. Stay in touch by SUBSCRIBING to my newsletter and following along on social media ~ INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and FACEBOOK. I can’t wait to connect!
Recipe
Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli (Broccolini) with Tahini
If you love this recipe, rate it with 5 stars below!
PRINT PIN RATEEquipment
- Cutting Board
- Small Bowl
- Grill Pan
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60 grams) tahini
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- 3 tablespoons water, more as needed
- 1 pinch sea salt flakes, to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 11.5 ounces (320 grams) tenderstem broccoli (broccolini), washed, dried, and any tough ends trimmed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (red chilli flakes), to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Gather and prepare your ingredients.
- Tahini Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the tahini, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth sauce. If it's too thick, you can add a bit of water to thin it out until it reaches your desired consistency. This will depend on the consistency of your tahini and the amount of lemon juice you get from your lemon. I added 3 tablespoons of water. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Grill: Place your grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat and let it get hot. Brush the grill pan with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the broccolini on the hot grill pan in a single layer, making sure they are not too crowded. You may need to do this in batches. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the broccoli is charred and tender. Cooking time may vary depending on your grill pan, so keep a close eye on them.
- Serve: Arrange the grilled Tenderstem broccoli on a serving platter. Drizzle with the Garlic Lemon Tahini Sauce. If you'd like, sprinkle with sesame seeds for extra crunch and red pepper flakes for a little heat (optional). Serve your Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic Lemon Tahini immediately while it's still warm.
Notes
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe airtight container for 2-3 months. However, the texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated using an online nutrition calculator. For accuracy, we recommend you calculate using the exact ingredients and brands you used.
Leave a Reply