There are plenty of suitable temperatures for roasting broccoli, but I have a strong favorite. It’s not a random number I’ve chosen out of the blue, either. I discovered it after reviewing a multitude of roasted broccoli recipes and from my own testing. What I found is that 425°F is the sweet spot when it comes to roasting broccoli. Here’s why and how to do it.
What Does It Mean To Roast?
As a quick refresher, roasting is a form of dry heat cooking, meaning the food is cooked with hot air, usually in an oven, with a temperature around 400°F. Because of this, certain foods, including some sturdy vegetables like broccoli, are able to achieve a crispy and flavorful caramelized exterior while maintaining a crisp-tender interior. In other words, delicious broccoli every time.
The Roasting Sweet Spot
While roasting begins around the 400°F mark, I’ve had the best success with roasting at a slightly higher temperature of 425°F. The additional heat means the broccoli cooks a touch faster than at the lower temperature. This helps with caramelization but also means your broccoli stays crisp, preventing it from getting mushy and overcooked.
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How To Roast Broccoli for Best Results
The best way to ensure an even roast is to cut your broccoli into uniform pieces. That doesn’t mean breaking out your ruler; just eyeball it. Uniform pieces mean everything will cook at about the same rate. So, if you prefer larger bites, go for it, but make sure the rest follow suit, and adjust your roasting time accordingly.
Roasting broccoli isn’t just about the temperature and size of the florets. You should also consider your oven and the pan you’re using. First, it’s good to know your oven since all of them operate a bit differently. Find out if your oven runs hot or cold, and adjust your heat accordingly.
Also, give the oven plenty of time to preheat. Even after it beeps that it’s ready, your oven will often need a few additional minutes to truly be at that temperature. Get an oven thermometer to help!
Another trick I’ve learned from a lot of experience is to slide your baking sheet into the oven before you preheat it. Adding your raw broccoli to a hot pan speeds up the cooking and caramelization process.
Finally, stir your broccoli at least once during roasting so that everything cooks evenly.
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