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Home » Recipes » Vegetables

Italian Broccoli Rabe

Published: January 20, 2021 | Last Modified: May 3, 2023 | by Marie with 4 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

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overhead view of cooked broccoli rabe in white casserole dish on wooden background

This is a one-step, easy Italian Broccoli Rabe recipe with just a handful of ingredients, so it's a breeze to throw together as a side dish for any day of the week! Garlicky goodness!

overhead view of cooked broccoli rabe in white casserole dish on wooden background Broccoli rabe is a great change of pace for your weeknight veggie rotation. And with just a handful of ingredients, it's a breeze to make!

What Is Broccoli Rabe?

Broccoli rabe — aka rapini — may look intimidating to the naked eye, but it's no more complicated to cook than any other staple green veggie. And while its name may suggest relations with its cruciferous cousin, broccoli, this leafy, green vegetable is actually more closely related to the turnip.

Its bitter (but in a good way) stems, nutty leaves, and delectable buds are all edible (and delicious) and commonplace in Italian cooking.

Broccoli rabe can be found at most grocery stores. My favorite is a common brand found here in Philly, Andy Boy.

What Are The Health Benefits?

Did you know that only one in 10 American adults meet the minimum U.S. Dietary Guidelines for daily fruit and vegetable intake? If you're in the majority and looking for new ways to incorporate more produce into your diet, this recipe is a great place to start.

Broccoli rabe is an all-star veggie in my book because it’s loaded with vitamins A, C, and K in just 3.5 oz., and also packs in minerals like calcium, folate, and iron, just to name a few.

Another bonus? Broccoli rabe is made up of water and fiber, which help digestion and can also keep you feeling fuller for longer, supporting healthy weight loss.

Additionally, broccoli rabe is rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease, and may help reduce the risk of cancer.

How to Select and Store

Choose broccoli rabe that has firm and slender stalks without any discoloration or wilting. Avoid those with yellowing leaves or florets. Instead opt for broccoli rabe that is all green and without too many florets.

Uncooked broccoli rabe may be stored wrapped in a damp paper towel, and perforated plastic bag, in the crisper section of the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to Cook Broccoli Rabe?

Broccoli rabe is delicious when blanched and sautéed in olive oil, roasted until crisp and charred, or even pureed into a pesto.

In other words, there's really no wrong way to cook this veggie, but my favorite has to be this recipe because of how simple it is - it's all in one step! All you need are five simple ingredients and 15 minutes or less, and voila! You're done.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (note in photos I used more because I made more than 1 bunch).
  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe (no yellowing, with the fewest florets is best)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 pinch red pepper flake
  • 1 teaspoon salt

How To Clean Broccoli Rabe and Cook

  • Trim the broccoli rabe by cutting off the tough ends and splitting any thick stems, cutting from the bottom up.
  • Cut the trimmed broccoli rabe into 2-inch pieces.
  • Rinse in colander with lots of cold water and then drain.
  • Add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes to a large pan or pot, and heat over medium heat.
  • Once the garlic becomes aromatic, add the broccoli rabe and cover. (Optional: Remove garlic before you add the broccoli rabe). (SEE NOTE 1)
  • Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes — stirring every few minutes — until the stems are fork tender.
  • Check seasonings to taste, and add more salt and olive oil if desired. (If you opted to remove the garlic, add it back now.)
  • Serve hot with crusty Italian bread, or add to pasta or sandwiches, and enjoy!
chopped garlic with knife on cutting board
oil, garlic and seasonings in pot
close up view of split stem
bucket of cleaned trimmed broccoli rabe
white pot on stove
cooked broccoli rabe in white pot

How To Serve Italian Broccoli Rabe

  • Alone with crusty bread
  • As a side dish with roasted chicken
  • With cannelloni beans for a complete meal
  • As a sandwich or hoagie that also includes roasted red peppers and fried/grilled eggplant.
  • In a roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone
  • With pasta and grilled sausage, or roasted garlic and olive oil
  • With scrambled eggs and Italian bread in the morning, or in an omelette

More Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this recipe, then you'll love these other vegetable recipes:

  • Roasted Broccoli
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts
  • Eggplant Meatballs
  • Utica Greens
  • Neapolitan Ciambotta
¾ side view of cooked broccoli rabe in white casserole dish in wooden tray. Broccoli rabe is a great change of pace for your weeknight veggie rotation. And with just a handful of ingredients, it's a breeze to make!

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📖 Recipe

side view of cooked garlic Italian brcccoli rabe in white dish in wooden tray

Italian Broccoli Rabe

This is a one-step, easy Italian Broccoli Rabe recipe! And with just a handful of ingredients, it's a breeze to throw together as a side dish for any day of the week!
5 from 2 votes
Author: Marie
Print Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Course vegetable
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2
Calories 91 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin, preferably
  • 1 pinch red pepper flake
  • 1 teaspoon salt
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Instructions
 

  • Cut off the tough ends of the broccoli rabe and then split any thick stems by cutting from the bottom up.
  • After thick stems have been trimmed and split, cut it all into 2-inch pieces.
  • Place cleaned, trimmed broccoli rabe in colander and rinse very well with lots of cold water and then drain.
  • In a large pan or pot (large enough to hold the broccoli rabe - we often double or triple the recipe), add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flake and heat over medium heat.
  • When you can begin to smell the garlic, add the broccoli rabe and cover (optional step: remove garlic before you add the broccoli rabe). (SEE NOTE 1)
  • Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the stems are tender (test with a fork).
  • While greens are cooking, stir with tongs or a large spoon every few minutes. You can uncover the pot once the greens are wilted.
  • If you opted to remove the garlic, add it back now. Check seasonings and add more salt and drizzel with a bit more olive oil if desired.
  • Serve hot with crusty Italian bread, or add to pasta or sandwiches.

Video

Notes

NOTE 1: This recipe skips the boiling step, which many people do to make the greens less bitter. If you want less bitter greens, boil the greens for 4 to 6 minutes before sautéing them in the garlic oil. 

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1202mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2963IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 2mg
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About me...

Hello! My name is Marie, and I love to cook! I was born and raised in a Italian American community in Philadelphia. Many of my happiest memories were with my mother or father cooking happily in the kitchen and their passion definitely inspired me. I'd like to share my recipes for pizza, breads, Italian cakes and cookies, as well as other family favorites with you! Read More…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michael says

    July 05, 2022 at 11:29 am

    5 stars
    Thank you. This is the one. Finally a recipe that shows me how to make this like my mom did, since she's not here to ask anymore. She always made it in one BIG pot, and that was it. Other recipes I've seen make it overly complicated.

    Now I need to find the right recipe for pasta with sauteed zucchini.

    Reply
    • Marie says

      July 05, 2022 at 12:08 pm

      I'm so glad we could help!

      Reply
  2. tommy says

    March 20, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    brown saute italian sausage sweet and or hot add garlic cannelli beans then the rabi, cover until rabi is to ur liking !

    Reply
    • Marie says

      March 20, 2022 at 9:45 pm

      Yessss!! sounds so good!

      Reply

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I'm Marie, a Philadelphia-based Italian American home cook and baker - welcome to Feeling Foodish! Read more...

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