Cast Iron Charred Broccoli with Red Pepper Relish

An unexpected flavorbomb of a side dish, this charred broccoli with a zesty relish is perfect for basically every occasion. You need just 5 ingredients and about 20 minutes.

This charred broccoli (warm salad?) did not start out as a “blog recipe” – i.e. a concept developed specifically with the intention of publishing. No. It appeared rather unexpectedly in my life, on a regular weeknight when I just wanted to include a veggie side with our basic-a$$ pasta-with-jarred-sauce dinner.

I grabbed a head of broccoli from the fridge and, not wanting to deal with preheating the oven, decided to cook it in a cast iron skillet like I’d seen Carolina Gelen do. To add color and balance the smoky flavor, I wanted to add some sort of topping and pulled out whatever called my name from the fridge: a jarred roasted red pepper, lemon, and parsley, plus a garlic clove.

I ate the resulting side dish with such voracity that it pretty much became my main course. It’s been a staple since.

Stovetop Charred Broccoli vs. Roasted

While you can char broccoli at a high temperature in the oven, I prefer this stovetop method. The oven relies on circular, indirect heat that envelops food; this cooks food evenly, but can dry it out. Skillet cooking uses direct heat, meaning the broccoli browns on the outside while remaining snappy and juicy on the inside.

P.S. If you enjoy the flavor of charred broccoli, try this cast iron asparagus or charred corn salad next!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Charred Broccoli

What makes this broccoli so special are the savory, near-burnt dark brown edges. They create a smoky, char-grilled flavor that’s completely irresistible, and balanced perfectly by the bright and zesty pepper relish. For perfect browning…

• Use a cast iron skillet.* Cast iron retains heat well and won’t cool down when you place cold items (in this case, broccoli) inside; that means it’s great for creating a delicious crust. Also, oil won’t burn into cast iron and potentially ruin its surface, which can happen with other types of pans at high heat. These skillets are super affordable, non-toxic, and last forever.
• Get it really hot. Use medium-high/high heat.
• Cut broccoli into flat pieces. To create more surface area for charring.
• Cook it in a single layer. Every piece of broccoli has to make direct contact with the pan. Do not pile the pieces on top of each other; cook them in batches instead.
• Weigh the broccoli down. Place a heavy skillet or pot directly on the broccoli while it cooks. It will press it down (like a panini, basically) and ensure that as much broccoli surface as possible makes direct contact with the pan.
• Don’t flip it more than once. Prolonged contact with the skillet is paramount. Do not move/shuffle/flip the broccoli until it is brown and ready to be turned.
• *If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use any other pan, although your broccoli may take a few minutes longer to cook and not have the same smoky flavor.

Cast Iron Charred Broccoli: Step-by-Step

Find complete instructions with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Cook the Broccoli

Slice the broccoli into flat 1/2-inch-thick pieces; feel free to keep most of the stem on. Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat and add a splash of cooking oil.

Arrange the broccoli in a single layer and place another skillet/pot directly on top to weigh it down. Cook until dark brown on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes, then flip with tongs and cook the other side. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with salt.

Step 2: Make the Topping

In a small bowl, combine the chopped roasted red pepper, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and lots of coarsely ground black pepper.

Step 3: Serve the Broccoli

Scatter the relish on the broccoli and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Charred broccoli makes a delicious side dish for miso risotto, vegan baked orzo, Greek tomato beans, or almost any pasta.

More Vegetable Side Dishes…

• Charred Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
• Vegan Raw Broccoli Salad
• Cast Iron Skillet Asparagus
• Lemony Sautéed Cauliflower

Let me know if you try this recipe! Give it a rating below and leave a comment, and don’t forget to tag your creation with @thenewbaguette on Instagram.

The Full Recipe