Tender baby broccoli meets garlicky lemon-mustard bliss in this irresistible sautéed side. Fresh, fast, and packed with punchy flavor.
Say hello to baby broccoli—also called broccolini—our go-to green when we want something fresh, quick, and just a little fancy. With its long, slender stalks and mild, mustardy flavor, this tender veggie sautés up beautifully in minutes. It’s loaded with nutrients and just feels a bit more elegant than regular broccoli.
In this version, we top baby broccoli with a simple lemon mustard sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes, and slivered almonds for a little crunch. It's fresh and vibrant—kind of like our Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple Cider or Balsamic Glazed Carrots—and the whole thing comes together in 20 minutes or less.
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Ingredients
- BABY BROCCOLI: fresh baby broccoli (BROCCOLINI)
- GARLIC: fresh garlic cloves
- ALMONDS: we like slivered almonds for this recipe
- TOMATOES: we used fresh cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- LEMON: fresh squeezed lemon juice
- DIJON MUSTARD: we used Maille Walnut Dijon mustard, but any good Dijon mustard will work
- OLIVE OIL: use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can afford
*see recipe card for quantities.
🔪Top tip
Use whole cloves of garlic when cooking baby broccoli for delicate garlic flavor. Chopped garlic burns easily and can make the baby broccoli taste burnt.
Instructions
- Sauté baby broccoli in ½ cup water for 8 minutes until tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare the lemon mustard sauce by combining olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and whole garlic cloves over low heat.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 5 minutes.
- Plate the broccoli, top with the sauce and slivered almonds, and season to taste.
- Serve Baby Broccoli with Roasted Spatchcock Chicken, Blackened Salmon, or Grilled Ribeye Steak.
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Variations
- CHEESY: add freshly grated parmesan or goat cheese crumbles
- SPICY: add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or black pepper
- NUTS: no almonds? Try toasted pine nuts or walnut pieces
- MORE GREENS: can't find baby broccoli? This recipe works great with broccoli, broccoli rabe, or mustard greens.
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a sauté pan over medium heat or microwave, adding olive oil if necessary.
- Do not freeze.
FAQ
Baby broccoli, also known as broccolini, is a hybrid of regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has long, tender stems, smaller florets, and a sweet, mild flavor with a subtle mustardy note. It’s perfect for quick sautéing, roasting, or steaming.
Baby broccoli cooks quickly—just 4 to 5 minutes in a hot skillet will keep it crisp-tender and vibrant. We love sautéing it until just tender, then finishing with a zesty sauce like in this lemon mustard version.
Yes! Roasting baby broccoli brings out its natural sweetness. Toss it with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 425°F for about 15 minutes. You can still drizzle it with our lemon mustard sauce for a flavorful finish.
You can, but we recommend baby broccoli for its tenderness and slightly sweeter taste. If using regular broccoli, cut it into smaller pieces and adjust the cook time so it doesn’t overcook.
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Baby Broccoli recipe
Tender, sweet stalks of sautéed baby broccoli, topped with lemony mustard sauce and fresh cherry tomatoes, is a healthy, delicious side.
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 portions 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby broccoli
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cut slivered almonds
- 12-14 cherry tomatoes
- 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp Maille Walnut Dijon mustard (or a good Dijon of your choice)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan, place broccoli along with ½ cup of water and bring water to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 8 minutes.
- While cooking, place oil in a sauce pan along with mustard and mix. Cook over low heat.
- Add juice from 1 lemon and 2 cloves of garlic (leave them whole)
- Slice tomatoes in half and add to the mustard mixture and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Remove broccoli from pan and place on serving plate
- Toss almonds into mustard and tomato mixture and combine until all coated.
- Pour mixture over broccoli and salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Side dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 209
- Sugar: 14.4 g
- Sodium: 157.7 mg
- Fat: 9.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.2 g
- Protein: 9.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Jackie says
If you can find baby broccoli, this is the best recipe to make! It's fresh and bright, and makes the perfect side dish.