Sauteed broccoli rabe is a simple, healthy, and quick dish that is just perfect for weekdays. It is refreshing, vegan, and a healthy way to include more leafy greens into your diet.

If you love broccoli, you will definitely like broccoli rabe. It has a unique, slightly bitter flavor which is very tasteful. This leafy green is super easy to make. Thanks to this sauteed broccoli rabe recipe, I can make it in no more than 10 minutes. It is a great main course or side dish that you can enjoy whenever you want.

You will also love, Roasted Broccoli Rabe and Roasted Broccolini

What is broccoli rabe?

Most people confuse broccoli rabe with broccoli. That’s mainly because of the name. However, the two are quite different from each other. You can consider broccoli rabe to be a distinct cousin of broccoli. Also known as rapini, broccoli rabe consists of three parts, i.e., stem, leaves, and florets. Where the florets resemble the broccoli very much, the stem and leaves have a slightly bitter but delicious flavor. The floret, however, has a somewhat nutty flavor. It belongs to the turnip and kale family and has a noticeably bitter taste. But the bitterness is good in some way.

Broccoli rabe is eaten whole. It means you will eat the stem, leaves, and florets as well. It is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, it is also high in antioxidants and therefore protects the body against several diseases. Like other leafy greens, it is also known as a superfood mainly because of its high nutritional content. Healthiest Leafy Greens To Consume.

Ingredient breakdown

You can make this delicious dish using only five ingredients. These are:

Broccoli rabe: you can easily buy broccoli rabe from any grocery store. It is just like broccoli, but with stems and leaves also, the florets are smaller. When purchasing broccoli rabe, freshness is the key. You can tell a lot about its freshness by looking at its color and the firmness of the stems and leaves. It should have a bright green color and without any brown spots. Moreover, the stem and leaves should not be wilted. Make sure you choose small florets that’s because they cook faster.
Onion: Onion adds a savory flavor to this dish. You can use either red or white onions for this recipe. I have used red onions. If you love onions, you can also increase their quantity in this dish.
Bell pepper: Bell pepper adds a refreshing color and fruity flavor to this dish. Although you can choose any bell pepper, I have used red bell pepper in this recipe. That’s because its vibrant red color really pops out with the green color of broccoli rabe and makes his dish very tempting.
Garlic: Garlic is an amazing ingredient that is a must in any savory food. Its savory and garlicky flavor adds so much depth to the dish.
Olive oil: Olive oil is very healthy and is widely used by people. If you don’t have olive oil, you can use avocado oil or canola oil as well. Whatever you have available will work.
Salt: A little salt makes everything more tasteful.

How to cook sauteed broccoli rabe?

Cooking sauteed broccoli rabe is very easy. It is a quick and healthy dish that you can make on weekdays as well. Here is how you can make this dish:

Step 1: Start by washing and trimming the broccoli rabe. Make sure you wash it thoroughly to eliminate any dirt. Next, let it dry either in the strainer or on a kitchen towel. Trim the hard edges using a sharp knife.

Step 2: Next, you have to blanch the broccoli rabe. For that, boil water in a large pot. Add broccoli rabe and let it boil for about 3 minutes or until it is tender. The cooking time also depends on the size of the florets. Blanching helps in retaining the fresh color of the leafy greens and also helps in cooking them faster.

Step 3: Once they are done, drain the vegetable.

Step 4: In a saucepan, heat oil at medium heat. Now add onions, garlic, red bell pepper, and sauté the vegetables for about 2 to 3 minutes or until the onions are translucent.

Step 5: Lastly, add broccoli rabe and sauté for three more minutes or until it is done and all the moisture evaporates.

Step 6: Serve.

Can you store sauteed broccoli rabe?

Yes. You can store the leftover broccoli rabe by placing it in an air-tight container and refrigerating for up to 5 days. Furthermore, you can also freeze it for up to a month. You can reheat it by sauteing it again in the pan.

Variation ideas

Here is how you can make this dish even more interesting and tasteful:

Vegetables: You can add more vegetables like zucchini, carrots, etc. It will make this dish more wholesome.
Tofu: Add air-fried crispy tofu, sprinkle sesame seeds, and turn this dish into a simple healthy stir-fry.
Seasonings: You can bring in more flavor by adding paprika, chili flakes, soy sauce, etc. There are so many ways you can enjoy this dish by creating different variations. It’s all about creativity.

Other Leafy Greens To Prepare

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Sauteed Broccoli Rabe

Sauteed broccoli rabe is a simple, healthy, and quick dish that is just perfect for weekdays. It is refreshing, vegan, and a healthy way to include more leafy greens into your diet.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Sauteed Broccoli Rabe

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Servings: servings

Calories: 67kcal

Ingredients

1 pound broccoli rabe
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small onion
1/4 red bell pepper
3 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions

Wash the broccoli rabe, and drain it. Using a sharp knife, trim the hard ends.
Pat the rabe dry using a kitchen towel.
In a large pot, add water and place it on medium heat. Bring the water to a boil.
Once it starts to boil, add broccoli rabe and cook for about 3 minutes or until tender.
Drain the broccoli rabe.
In a saucepan, add olive oil and place it on medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add chopped onion, minced garlic, red bell pepper and sauté for about 2 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
Add broccoli rabe and salt and sauté for another 3 minutes