Name: Simple Roasted Broccoli with Lemon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American

Cooking with Conks Verified

February 3, 2026

If you think broccoli is boring, this citrusy roasted version will change your mind! Our roasted broccoli with lemon is the easy vegetable side you’ve been needing. Instead of steaming broccoli, which is the way we grew up eating it, we roast it in a hot oven with lemon juice and red pepper flakes, letting the florets get a little crispy on the edges. Then we add lemon zest to the roasted broccoli to brighten up its earthy flavor. The result is a healthy, weeknight side dish that you can add to any main meal.

Simple Roasted Broccoli with Lemon cover

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Simple Roasted Broccoli with Lemon

Cooking with Conks Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Toss the broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cracked black pepper, and ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Remove the broccoli for the oven and top with lemon zest.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Broccoli Positioning 🥦
Spread broccoli florets in a single layer with space between them to ensure crispy edges and even roasting, preventing steaming instead of caramelization.
Zest Before Roasting 🍋
Zest your lemon before juicing it, and save the zest to sprinkle on the broccoli immediately after roasting to preserve its bright, aromatic oils.
Dry Broccoli Technique 💨
Pat broccoli completely dry with paper towels before roasting to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve those coveted crispy, golden-brown edges.
Pepper Flake Distribution 🌶️
Crush red pepper flakes between your fingers before adding to create more even heat distribution and prevent large, unexpected spicy bites.
High Heat Strategy 🔥
Preheat your baking sheet in the oven before adding broccoli to create an instant sear and promote faster, more even caramelization.

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About the Cook

Cooking with Conks

We’re Rachel & Emily Conklin (“Conks” for short), sisters, lifelong foodies, and the voices behind Cooking with Conks. We grew up in Southern California, surrounded by bold flavors, big family meals, and the kind of kitchen chaos that turns into inside jokes