Burnt Broccoli Recipe: Easy parmesan crusted campfire broccoli

Steamed broccoli is boring and probably won’t make the list of your favorite camping side dishes. But, the bold flavors of my Burnt Broccoli Recipe will make you think twice about leaving this nutrient-rich, green veggie off your next menu!

Burnt Broccoli Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a plate full of charred broccoli that is sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and ready to be served at the campsite.
Burnt Broccoli Recipe by CampingForFoodies

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Made Easy For Campsite Cooking

At home, you’ll probably make roasted broccoli in your oven by placing the veggies in a single layer on a baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper, tossing with extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt, then placing in a hot oven to roast.

To get the same charred broccoli flavors out in the wilderness, I’m using campfire coals and tenting the veg or using a camp grill with a lid to simulate using a sheet tray on an oven rack.


Recipe Prep

When I’m making easy grilling recipes for camping I like to make the entire meal on the grill at the same time so I have all of my ingredients prepped before I start cooking. You’ll only need to cut the broccoli here.

Broccoli and brussels sprouts are some of my favorite veggies because they are hearty and travel well. Get tips on keeping your camping vegetables fresh for your entire trip.


Cooking Methods & Equipment

I like making this as one of my easy campfire recipes to give the parmesan crusted broccoli a slightly smoky and nutty flavor. Just make sure you are using a good-flavored wood, like oak or mesquite, and get your fire going early to produce enough hot coals for cooking.

For open-fire cooking, you’ll need a way to tent the broccoli to keep the heat in, heavy-duty foil is the most popular choice.

Alternatively, you can use a charcoal or propane grill with a lid that can be closed during cooking.


Recipe Steps

Step 1. Prepare your ingredients, heat source and equipment as directed.

Step 2. Make the marinade. This is a really simple marinade made by combining lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. It is so easy, I just make it at the campsite but you can also make it at home and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to use it.

Step 3. Prepare the broccoli. Cut off the woody part of the stalk and discard it. Cut the head into individual florets leaving the tender part of the stems in tact. Place in large resealable plastic bag.

Camping Flexible Cutting MatsCamping Flexible Cutting MatsCamping Flexible Cutting Mats

 

Step 4. Marinate. Pour marinade into bag, seal, toss and set aside to marinate at room temperature for about 1/2 hour.

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Step 5. Ready to cook. While the veggies are marinating, get your fire ready for cooking over medium-high heat. Campfire coals, propane or charcoal grills all work well here. Apply cooking spray or oil to grill grate to prevent sticking.

Step 6. Discard marinade & toss with cheese. Let the marinade drain from the bag, then add some of the Parmesan cheese to the bag, tossing to coat. Camp Cooking Tip: You may have to do this in batches if your plastic bag is not large enough.

Step 7. Cook the broccoli. Place the veggies on the grill grate, cover and cook on both sides until the florets are charred and have a crisp-tender consistency, about 15 minutes per side.

Camp Cooking Tip: When you are cooking over a campfire or a grill that does not have a cover, use heavy duty aluminum foil or an upside-down camp Dutch oven pot to “tent” your food as it cooks, it will keep the heat surrounding your food so it cooks evenly.

Step 8. Serve hot with cheese. Remove the spears from the grill and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese for serving.


What To Serve With This Recipe

When you are making camping dinner recipes that are grilled, it is nice to cook the main and side dishes at the same time.

This simple Grilled Dijon Chicken With Garlic And Jalapeno is full of flavor and only requires 5 minutes to prep.

Brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, cayenne pepper and soy sauce make this easy Grilled Halibut Fillet taste amazing!

A simple marinade makes this Grilled Flat Iron Camping Steak a winner! It uses brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, dried rosemary, garlic powder and cayenne pepper to bring in lots of flavor while the meat is being tenderized during the marinating process.

These are all GF options, see all of our gluten free camping food ideas!


Scaling Servings

This recipe serves 6 but it is easy to scale up or down. As a side veggie, I figure one head broccoli/every two people.


Similar Recipes

We have lots of vegetarian camping recipes that you should try!

These Campfire Veggie Packets combine broccoli, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and garlic in one big family-sized foil packet.

The combination of potatoes, onion, garlic and green bell pepper make these Camping Potatoes In Foil a satisfying dish.

Bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds and an easy homemade dressing tossed with raw broccoli is why this Broccoli Sunshine Salad turns every camper into a fan.

If you want easy camping meals that combine veggies with the main dish, try these!

This Asian Beef And Broccoli is a great make ahead freezer meal. You combine ginger, red pepper flakes, garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, beef broth and flat iron steak, place it in a freezer bag then just defrost, dump and cook at camp.

The wonderful flavor in this Beef, Broccoli & Carrot Camping Stir Fry comes from a simple marinade that uses sugar, mustard powder, soy sauce, vegetable oil, garlic and green onions.


Prepare In Advance

To prepare as one of our make ahead camping meals, do this:

  • At home: Prep the broccoli and place in a plastic food storage bag, keep refrigerated until ready to cook. Prepare the marinade and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid, keep refrigerated until ready to cook.
  • At camp: Remove marinade from refrigerator or cooler and let stand at room temperature before tossing with broccoli prior to grilling.

Print This Recipe

Burnt Broccoli Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a plate full of charred broccoli that is sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and ready to be served at the campsite.

Burnt Broccoli Recipe

Camping For Foodies Sides Camping Recipes: This Burnt Broccoli Recipe is an easy way to make parmesan crusted broccoli using campfire coals, as well as a propane or charcoal grill.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sides Camping Recipes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Kim Hanna

Ingredients

  • 3 heads fresh broccoli
  • 1 fresh lemon juiced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • Non-stick cooking spray or oil for grill grate

Instructions

  • Prepare the marinade by combining the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small resealable jar. Close lid tightly, shake vigorously to combine. Alternatively, you can place ingredients in a small bowl and whisk ingredients together. Set marinade aside.
  • Remove woody part of broccoli stalk and discard. Cut head into individual broccoli florets leaving the tender part of the broccoli stems on the florets. Place in large resealable plastic bag.
  • Pour marinade into bag, seal and toss to coat vegetables. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for about 1/2 hour.
  • To prepare as campfire broccoli, get your campfire started to cook over medium-high heat. You can also cook over a propane or charcoal grill.
  • Apply cooking spray to grill grate to prevent sticking. If you want to use oil, pour some on a wadded-up paper towel and rub it on the grate.
  • Drain marinade from bag and discard it. Add about 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese to the bag with the broccoli and shake to coat. Note: if your plastic bag is not large enough, you may have to do this in batches.
  • Place broccoli on grill grate and cover with something to retain heat. You can use an upside-down camp Dutch oven pot or a piece of heavy-duty foil to create a rough dome to help keep in the heat when cooking over an open campfire. If you are using a grill with a lid, you can just close the lid.
  • Grill to create a char on one side and flip to cook second side to a crisp-tender consistency, about 15 minutes per side.
  • Remove from grill and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese for serving.

Notes

Here are a few more useful links:
Dutch Oven Temperature Chart https://www.campingforfoodies.com/dutch-oven-temperature-chart/
Camping For Foodies Recipes List https://www.campingforfoodies.com/camping-recipes-list/
Our Products https://www.campingforfoodies.com/shop/

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 489mg | Potassium: 1017mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2043IU | Vitamin C: 281mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 2mg

More Yummy Meal Ideas

Every meal of your trip doesn’t have to be gourmet, but it should be delicious!

If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. You may have just turned a vial weed into an edible weed with recipe!

    1. Kim Hanna says:

      “Edible weed”…hmmmm…now you’ve got me really thinking. I’m feeling a little like a mad scientist!

  2. While I love broccoli, I realize not everyone is a fan. But this technique and flavor burst will make anyone a fan. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Kim Hanna says:

      Thanks for trying it! It’s always great to get new broccoli lovers into the family!