Grilled Broccolini with Lemon, Pistachio and Chives
This Grilled Broccolini with Lemon, Pistachio and Chives is the unexpected accompaniment to any grilled meal! The thinly shaved broccolini gets charred and sweetened on the grill, only to be finished off with bright lemon zest, crunchy pistachios, a touch of red pepper flakes and a burst of fresh chives. A tasty side dish for sure!
It’s unexpected. Flavorful. A perfect summer side dish.
Shaving broccolini is something I first learned from a dear chef friend and I haven’t looked back since. It’s creative and a completely different way of enjoying the vegetable.
Pile it onto a grilled steak or pile it onto a pizza – a perfect accompaniment for so many things!
And if you’re looking for some other side dishes to round out your summer picnics, check out this Watermelon Radish Salad and Whipped Feta with Tomatoes and Peaches!
Why I love this recipe:
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Grilled Broccolini:
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
The ingredients to make this grilled broccolini are easy to find and readily available at most any grocery store. If you’re able, I would highly recommend grabbing anything you can at your local farmer’s market or out of your garden for maximum flavor.
Here are a few ingredient notes:
Broccolini: You can find broccolini in most any grocery store these days. They are sold in small bunches – you will want to use 2 for this recipe.
Pistachios: I personally love pistachios, and I think they work so well here. They provide a little crunch and delicious flavor. You could substitute almonds or hazelnuts here as well.
Red pepper flakes: Adding a little touch of heat to this recipe is completely optional. I used red pepper flakes for ease and mild heat, but you could substitute most any other chili that you like – you could even grill the chili and then finely chop it to add a little smokiness.
Chives: A tiny bit of oniony flavor to round it all out is nice, but you could also substitute with parsley, which would pair well with the lemon zest.
What is the Difference Between Broccolini, Broccoli Rabe & Traditional Broccoli?
Let’s Make Grilled Broccolini with Lemon, Pistachio and Chives Together: STEP BY STEP
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list in the recipe card below
Step 1:
First, using a mandoline, carefully run the broccolini lengthwise over the mandoline to shave it into thinner full size pieces. If you have a safety glove to wear as you do this, please do! If not, you can always place a kitchen towel over each piece of broccolini as you slowly shave it.
Steps 2 & 3:
Next, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. And then, prep your toppings – finely chop chives and pistachios, and zest a lemon. Set aside.
When the grill is hot, reduce the heat to medium. Toss the shaved broccolini with olive oil and salt and place it on the grill grates. You can also use a grill basket. Close the lid and let it cook for a few minutes.
Steps 4 & 5:
Check the broccolini periodically, flipping it and making sure it’s cooking through.
When it’s done, remove it from the grill into a large bowl and add the remaining olive oil, lemon zest, pistachios, chives and red pepper flakes. Toss around until well combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy!
Natalie’s Tips
- Use a mandoline! It’s difficult to achieve the desired effect without one, as it is extremely hard to slice broccolini that thin with a knife. This is an inexpensive one that I like!
- Don’t leave the broccolini unattended on the grill. Because it’s so thin, you will need to move it around frequently — think of it like sautéing or stir-frying something.
- Grill the broccolini right before serving. It cooks really fast and you don’t want it to sit while you’re waiting for the rest of your meal to finish cooking.
- Feel free to use a grill basket if you like. If you are concerned about the broccolini falling in between your grill grates, you can use a grill basket.
Storage & Reheating
STORAGE: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
REHEATING: To reheat, add to a saute pan with a little olive oil and water until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in 30 second intervals until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions for this Grilled Broccolini
I hope you love this Grilled Broccolini! If you make it, be sure to leave a rating so I know how you liked it!
Recipe Card
Grilled Broccolini with Lemon, Pistachios and Chives
Equipment
- Mandoline
Ingredients
- 2 bunches broccolini
- 3 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 lemon (zest only)
- 2 tbsp pistachios (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp chives (finely chopped)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Using a mandoline, carefully shave the broccolini lengthwise.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high.
- Place the shaved broccolini into a large bowl and add half of the olive oil and salt. Using your hands, gently toss so that everything is well coated.
- When the grill is hot, reduce the heat to medium and carefully add the broccolini to the grill, making sure that it doesn't fall in between the grill grates. Cover and grill for 2-3 minutes and then flip and move the broccolini around so that it becomes evenly caramelized. Repeat this process a couple more times until cooked through. To check if it's done, remove a small piece and taste it for doneness — it should be crisp-tender.
- Remove from the grill and place back into the large bowl.
- Drizzle with some or all of the remaining olive oil and add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Lastly, add the zest of the lemon, chopped pistachios, and chopped chives. ENJOY!
Nutrition
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