Grilled Broccoli with Chipotle-Lime Butter

in Broccoli, Chipotle peppers, Cookouts & Picnics, On the grill, Vegetarian, Veggies

Grilled Broccoli with Chipotle-Lime Butter

I love grilling season. Which, where I live, essentially lasts from mid-February to mid-November.

During the summer, the Jason’s “vegetable” of choice is grilled corn. It could be worse, I guess – although lately he and Landry have really been digging the grilled green & purple beans from the garden.

His grilled corn on the cob usually comes slathered with a compound butter flavored with basil and parmesan or Mexican-style, slathered with a chipotle butter and topped with a pinch of crumbled queso fresco.

So when I saw a recipe for grilled broccoli with chipotle-lime butter in the latest Food & Wine, I was completely smitten – and pretty optimistic that I could get by with swapping out the corn for broccoli without too much protesting.

And I was right.

Grilled Broccoli with Chipotle-Lime Butter

The broccoli was lightly charred and smokey. The chipotle-lime butter added volumes of flavor and just a little heat. My husband declared it the best broccoli he’s ever had, which, honestly, probably isn’t saying much. But I think it was one of the better preparations of broccoli that I’ve ever had. And I love broccoli!

Trying not to negate all the good, I only used half the butter that the original recipe called for and squeezed extra lime juice over top before serving. And just like that, everyone in this house enjoys broccoli.

Grilled Broccoli with Chipotle-Lime Butter

Grilled broccoli topped with a flavorful chipotle-lime butter and queso fresco.

Ingredients

  • 6 Tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced + additional wedges for serving (optional)
  • 1 canned chipotle, minced, + small spoonful of adobo sauce
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 3 heads of broccoli, cut into florets
  • Olive oil, for spraying or drizzling
  • 1 cup queso fresco, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Heat grill to medium-high.
  2. Stir together all ingredients for the chipotle-lime butter and add a pinch of salt and pepper. (Or give it a whirl for ~10 seconds in your small chopper/food processor).
  3. Spread broccoli on a large baking pan and drizzle/spray with olive oil.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and then transfer to the heated grill.
  5. Grill ~10 minutes, flipping or stirring halfway through - the pieces should have nice grill marks but not be too charred.
  6. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with spoonfuls of chipotle-lime butter (I only used half the butter and refrigerated the rest).
  7. Serve warm, topped with crumbled cheese.

Notes

Yields: 6 servings

Adapted from Food & Wine, May 2012

Estimated time: 30 minutes

22 comments… add one
  • What a great idea, I bet the grilling gives the broccoli a really delicious flavour and there’s nothing better than a kick of spice to go alongside that!

  • Yum! We love, love, love broccoli – a new preparation method is always welcome. Love asparagus and green beans on the grill, so I know that we’ll just love this one!

  • That butter sounds heavenly!

  • I’ve never thought of grilling broccoli – what a fabulous idea! Broccoli is definitely one of my favorite fiber-licious veggies and it is so nice to see a new way to prepare it.

  • Just when I thought grilled broccoli couldn’t get any better… I’m trying this soon!

  • holy toledo!!!!! I love broccoli and Lord knows I LOVE anything with a Mexican flair 😉 Girl, when are you writing a cookbook??? I want in the the pre-release 😉 hehe

  • Jennifer

    This recipe sounds fantastic. I’m printing it and trying it ASAP.

  • Kelly

    Thank you for this! I’ve been looking for a side for cookouts that could check off the ‘green veg’ box. I can’t wait to try! 🙂

  • Wow, this looks and sounds amazing!!! Can’t wait to try it.

  • Way to go! I got my dad hooked on queso fresco when i was home for mother’s day and I think my next step is to use THAT addiction, combined with this fab recipe to get him to eat broccoli. win.

  • I might actually get my family to eat broccoli this way!

  • I am so craving veggies right now, and this broccoli with the chipotle lime butter is kind of driving me crazy! I am drooling even though i just finished dinner an hour ago… haha

  • I love roasted broccoli, so I can only imagine that grilled broccoli (esp with chipotle-lime butter) is even better. Really can’t wait to make this!!

  • Megan

    Sounds yummy! What is adobe sauce?

    • When you buy the canned chipotles, they come packed in “adobo” sauce. That’s what you want!

  • Sweet Jesus this looks good. Going on the must-try list!

  • As a strong adherent to all things broccoli, I am kind of appalled that I haven’t grilled it before. This is certainly inspiring!

  • Made this tonight – LOVED it. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

  • Wow, never thought to grill broccoli. Once I get my grill out, I’m definitely trying this one! Thanks for sharing!

  • Diana @girl, dog, oven

    We made this tonight with some burgers – it was amazing!! It will definitely be a repeat. And the chipotle like butter – cant wait to use that on different veggies! 🙂 Thanks!

  • I love grilling or roasting broccoli, the brown crunchy parts give it so much more flavor!

  • Erin

    Just made this for dinner. I roasted broccoli and carrots and topped it with the butter. I even used the butter on top of some grilled chicken, and I think that was my favorite part. Definitely a keeper!

Leave a Comment