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  • I Love The Crispy Tips On This Roasted Broccoli Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Roast Broccoli In The Oven
  • My Recipe Tips
  • Roasted Broccoli (Easy Recipe) Recipe card
  • Serving Ideas
  • Recipe Reviews

I Love The Crispy Tips On This Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 1

Roasted broccoli may be simple, but it’s a staple I think everyone should have in their back pocket. I turn to it often when I just need something basic to complete a meal, without having to plan anything. Here’s why:

  • Perfectly tender with crispy edges – I’ve tested all the roasting times and temps, and have several tips that have helped me nail that ideal balance: tender stems with perfectly golden, crispy florets. That deep, nutty flavor and crispy, golden edges are my favorite parts!
  • My favorite basic broccoli recipe – While I love a more special broccoli cheese casserole , broccoli cheese soup , and broccoli quiche , this is my favorite way to cook broccoli when I need something fast and easy . And the best roasted broccoli doesn’t need much — just 3 ingredients, plus salt and pepper.
  • Ready in 20 minutes – It roasts while I finish up the main dish, and by the time dinner’s ready, so is the broccoli.

If you need a simple side tonight, grab a bunch and make this oven roasted broccoli with me!

Maya's signature. - 2 Tender roasted broccoli with browned, crispy edges, in a bowl with a fork. - 3

“Best roasted broccoli recipe I’ve ever made! The broccoli was tender and tasty. I really appreciated the tip to add a good amount of olive oil, because I usually add just a few tablespoons to the big bag I use (I usually use a bulk store size bag of fresh broccoli, about 2-3 lbs) but the extra oil made the difference. I will be adding it to the list of sides for dinner use.” –Melissa

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my easy roasted broccoli recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Broccoli Florets – I leave the stems fairly long, as they get sweet and tender as they roast. I recommend fresh broccoli for roasting, but if you only have frozen, I’ve got tips for that below. Finally, you can use this same method for other similar veggies, like romanesco , broccolini , or even a mix of broccoli and cauliflower . Or if you’ve got extra broccoli, make my beef casserole with it!
  • Olive Oil – Makes the edges crispy and gives the broccoli great flavor. Avocado oil works just as well.
  • Garlic Powder , Sea Salt, & Black Pepper – I prefer garlic powder in my roasted broccoli over fresh garlic, because it’s easier and there’s no risk of burning. But if you want to use fresh, see my tips on how to do this.
Seasoning Variations: - 4

Seasoning Variations:

  • Cheesy – Toss with grated parmesan cheese before or after roasting. If you want it more melty, sprinkle on shredded parm in the last 5 minutes.
  • Zingy – Add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar before roasting. You can also try a squeeze of fresh lemon or a drizzle of my balsamic glaze at the end.
Labeled recipe ingredients: Broccoli, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. - 5

How To Roast Broccoli In The Oven

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. Season the broccoli. Toss it in a large bowl with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I used a spoon to mix in my picture below, but these days I find tongs are much easier!
  2. Spread it out. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer on a big baking sheet ( this one is my go-to ). Lining the pan with parchment or foil is optional, but I skip it with this pan because nothing sticks.
  3. Roast in the oven. Your roasted broccoli is done when it’s tender with crispy, golden edges.
Seasoned florets in a bowl. - 6 Broccoli arranged on a baking sheet. - 7 Finished roasted broccoli recipe on a sheet pan. - 8 My Recipe Tips - 9

My Recipe Tips

  • Cut your broccoli florets all the same size. This means they’ll cook at the same rate.
  • I recommend medium florets, not small or large. I find that large and small ones both have issues with burning, for different reasons. Large ones take longer to soften, so the floret ends can burn by the time they are done, while small ones just burn in a flash. Medium is the sweet spot for those crispy edges!
  • Don’t skimp on oil. Not only does it give your roasted broccoli flavor, it prevents it from drying out (and then burning). I use 2 tablespoons per bunch.
  • Make sure each floret touches the pan. Crowded broccoli = steamed broccoli . Not what we want this recipe! The sheet pan I use is big, so if yours are smaller, use two. You can either roast them one after the other, but my recommendation is to just put them on different racks and swap halfway through.
  • If you want to use fresh garlic, add it towards the end. I’ve had good success adding 4 minced cloves in the last 5-10 minutes of roasting instead of the garlic powder.
  • Frozen broccoli works, but don’t thaw it. It still won’t get as crisp as fresh, but I get much better results roasting right from frozen than thawing first. The roasting time will be a bit longer, though.
  • Add a sauce if you’re feeling fancy. When I want my roasted broccoli to feel a little special, I drizzle it with pesto , tahini sauce , or hollandaise sauce .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 bunches Broccoli (cut into florets; ~8 cups) ▢
  • 1/4 cup Olive oil ▢
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

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

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl , toss together the broccoli, olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
  3. Arrange the broccoli in a single layer on a large baking sheet . Roast on the middle rack for 17-20 minutes , until tender and browned on the edges.

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

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you avoid burnt or mushy broccoli, get the crispiest edges, and options to use fresh garlic or frozen broccoli.
  • Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3-5 days. I love tossing them into salads. (My quick broccoli bacon salad usually uses fresh broccoli, but it’s amazing with roasted, too.)
  • Reheat: I usually either pop the broccoli in the oven again for 5-10 minutes, or toss it in my air fryer for 2 minutes. The microwave leaves it mushy.
  • Freeze: I recommend freezing in a single layer before transferring to a zip lock bag, to prevent sticking. That way, you can spread the frozen broccoli on a sheet pan and reheat right from frozen.

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.

Roasted Broccoli

Serving Ideas

I’ve served oven roasted broccoli with just about everything. Try one of my main dishes with it depending on what you’re craving:

  • Chicken – I like to make pan fried chicken thighs while the broccoli roasts in the oven, or sometimes I make spatchcock chicken and roast broccoli on the same pan. If you want ultra crispy, air fryer chicken legs are our family fave!
  • Beef & Pork – This roasted broccoli is the perfect match for hearty mains like my sirloin steak or air fryer filet mignon . When you need something quick and affordable, try my air fryer pork chops .
  • Seafood – Keep it light with my seared salmon or baked cod , or make it fancy with my lobster tail recipe or garlic butter shrimp .
Easy roasted broccoli recipe pin. - 10

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?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 11

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.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

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

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 12

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 13

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 14

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 15

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 16

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

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

Keto food swaps - drinks - 17

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!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 18

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:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 19

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:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

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.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 20

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

Roasted Broccoli (Easy Recipe)

Roasted broccoli up close. - 21

This oven roasted broccoli recipe is fast and easy! Use my tips to roast it perfectly, with super crispy florets and tender stems.

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/roasted-broccoli/

Roasted Broccoli - 22 Roasted Broccoli - 23 Roasted Broccoli - 24 Roasted Broccoli - 25

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches Broccoli (cut into florets; ~8 cups)
  • 1/4 cup Olive oil
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl , toss together the broccoli, olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
  3. Arrange the broccoli in a single layer on a large baking sheet . Roast on the middle rack for 17-20 minutes , until tender and browned on the edges.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you avoid burnt or mushy broccoli, get the crispiest edges, and options to use fresh garlic or frozen broccoli.
  • Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3-5 days. I love tossing them into salads. (My quick broccoli bacon salad usually uses fresh broccoli, but it’s amazing with roasted, too.)
  • Reheat: I usually either pop the broccoli in the oven again for 5-10 minutes, or toss it in my air fryer for 2 minutes. The microwave leaves it mushy.
  • Freeze: I recommend freezing in a single layer before transferring to a zip lock bag, to prevent sticking. That way, you can spread the frozen broccoli on a sheet pan and reheat right from frozen.

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. :)