FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Grilled Broccoli Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Grill Broccoli
• Grilling Times
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Serving Ideas
• My Tools For This Recipe
• Grilled Broccoli (So Easy) Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

My grilled broccoli recipe adds the best smoky, savory flavor to one of my favorite vegetables. And it comes together so fast … almost as fast as my grilled asparagus and grilled zucchini . I love cooking broccoli on the grill because there isn’t much to it, so I can focus on my main dishes. This is a staple at my cookouts for a reason. Fire up the grill and make some with me!

Why You Need My Grilled Broccoli Recipe

• Smoky grilled flavor – I love sauteed broccoli and roasted broccoli , but when it’s barbecuing weather, nothing beats the smoky goodness you get when you grill broccoli.
• Perfect texture – Crispy and browned on the edges? Check. (My fave part.) Just the right balance of tender, a little crunchy, and sweet inside? Also check. The quick little marinade is my secret.
• Simple and easy – With just 4 ingredients (plus salt and pepper), you can whip up this easy summer side dish in no time.
• 2 ways to grill – Make grilled broccoli directly on the grates for that classic char, or use foil to make it even easier.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section will explain how to choose the best ingredients for grilled broccoli, what each one does in my recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Broccoli – You can use fresh or frozen broccoli, but if you use frozen, see my tips on this below. If you’ve got extra fresh broccoli, my broccoli cranberry salad will make the perfect addition to your cookout.
• Oil – This adds flavor and helps you get those browned edges when grilling broccoli. I recommend either olive oil or avocado oil.
• Lemon Juice – I add a tablespoon of lemon juice for zing, plus it tenderizes the veggies. Fresh tastes best, but bottled lemon juice works, too.
• Seasonings – Garlic powder (optional, but I highly recommend!), sea salt (kosher salt also works), and black pepper. Want it fiery? Throw in crushed red pepper flakes. Feeling fancy? Use my steak seasoning (might as well use it for grilling steak while you’re at it) or lemon pepper seasoning .

VARIATION: Try balsamic vinegar or parmesan cheese!

You can replace the lemon juice with balsamic vinegar instead, drizzle on balsamic glaze at the end, or sprinkle with parmesan after grilling.

How To Grill Broccoli

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Marinate the broccoli. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the broccoli and let it sit for 15 minutes while the grill preheats. (I start it on medium-high to high heat, but reduce to medium when I’m ready to cook.)

1. Wrap in foil (optional). To make grilled broccoli in foil, place the florets on a large piece of aluminum foil and seal the edges to make a packet. Skip this part if you prefer to cook directly on the grill grates.
2. Grill until tender. Place the broccoli on the grill and cook until tender. With foil you’ll need to turn just once, but if you place the florets directly on the grates, you’ll want to turn them occasionally to lightly char all sides.

Grilling Times

How long to grill broccoli depends on your individual grill, the size of your florets, and the grilling method. Here are my rule-of-thumb cook times:

• Fresh grilled broccoli: 8-10 minutes
• Fresh broccoli in foil: 10-20 minutes
• Frozen broccoli in foil: 15-25 minutes

Cook until the stems are tender. (I use a small knife or fork to check — it should go in with just a little resistance.) If you’re cooking broccoli on the grill directly, the edges should be slightly charred.

My Recipe Tips

• Cut large broccoli florets for grilling directly on the grates. They’re much easier to manage on the grill, and less likely to slip through the grates. If you prefer smaller pieces, I recommend either a grill basket or using my foil method.
• Don’t skip the marinating time. It doesn’t take long, but it infuses the broccoli with flavor, and makes it more tender. I find it also gets me better browning with less burning.
• Keep the lid closed, except to flip. You’ll need to open it more often if you’re grilling broccoli directly on the grates, but it still mainly softens when the lid is down.
• If the outside is browned but the broccoli is not tender yet, move it over indirect heat. That way, it can finish cooking without burning.
• Want to grill frozen broccoli? Use my foil packet method. This is so that any small frozen pieces won’t fall into the grill as they thaw. It also allows enough time for the inside to cook through. The grilled broccoli will be softer and won’t get those signature charred edges, but it’s still delicious.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• Meal prep: There isn’t much to prep here, but I almost always cut the florets in advance. I’ve also left the broccoli in the marinade for 24 hours in the refrigerator, and it still turned out perfectly.
• Reheat: You can reheat the broccoli on the grill over indirect heat, but my go-to method is the air fryer at 325 degrees F for a couple minutes (don’t go higher for reheating, or it will get too dark).
• Freeze: You can freeze grilled broccoli, but the texture will be more mushy. If you do decide to freeze, wrap tightly and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can even reheat from frozen.

Serving Ideas

If you already have the grill turned on, save time and serve my grilled broccoli recipe with one of my other grilled recipes :

• Beef – Make my best burger recipe or turkey burger recipe (a.k.a. my staples) for a casual meal. For an upgrade, try my grilled London broil or tri tip .
• Chicken – The simplest choices are grilled chicken legs or grilled chicken thighs , but you can also capture even more summer flavors with my bruschetta chicken or chicken kabobs .
• Pork – Whip up my juicy grilled pork chops while you have your grill going. Yum!
• Seafood – I just recently gushed about how much I love grilled salmon , and it goes so well with this grilled broccoli. My Cajun grilled cod is a good alternative for a bolder flavor. And if it’s date night? Grilled lobster or grilled shrimp all the way.

My Tools For This Recipe

These tools are optional, but I find them helpful in some situations:

• Grill Basket – Although it’s not required (I made the grilled broccoli shown here without it), it makes it a lot easier to avoid losing broccoli between the grates.
• Cast Iron Grill Pan – When the weather’s not playing along, my trusty cast iron grill pan saves the day and gets me the same charred edges on the stovetop.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Broccoli (cut into large florets) ▢
• 1/4 cup Olive oil ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (optional) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, if using. Add the broccoli and toss to coat. Let the broccoli sit for 15 minutes .
2. While the broccoli marinates, preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes , or a grill pan for 3 minutes . Reduce heat to medium right before cooking.
3. To grill broccoli directly on the grill: Place the broccoli onto the grill. Grill for 8-10 minutes , turning occasionally to lightly char all sides, until tender. To grill broccoli in foil: Place the broccoli on a large piece of aluminum foil. Fold over the foil and seal to form a foil packet. Place the packet onto the grill and cook for 10-20 minutes , turning halfway through, until tender.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup grilled broccoli, or 1/4 of entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Grilled Broccoli

Gratitude Moment

We got a new grill this year — this one ! For the longest time I couldn’t justify the expense, but honestly, with how much I grill (and that whole move-across-the-country thing), it was time. And it has been a dream! Somehow I haven’t gotten any actual pictures with it, but I do have a video on Instagram if you want to see it in action.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Grilled Broccoli (So Easy)

Cooking broccoli on the grill gives it amazing flavor! My grilled broccoli recipe works with fresh or frozen, direct on the grill or in foil.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/grilled-broccoli/

Ingredients

• 1 lb Broccoli (cut into large florets)
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, if using. Add the broccoli and toss to coat. Let the broccoli sit for 15 minutes .
2. While the broccoli marinates, preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes , or a grill pan for 3 minutes . Reduce heat to medium right before cooking.
3. To grill broccoli directly on the grill: Place the broccoli onto the grill. Grill for 8-10 minutes , turning occasionally to lightly char all sides, until tender. To grill broccoli in foil: Place the broccoli on a large piece of aluminum foil. Fold over the foil and seal to form a foil packet. Place the packet onto the grill and cook for 10-20 minutes , turning halfway through, until tender.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup grilled broccoli, or 1/4 of entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)