Sautéed Rapini Recipe (2024)

Alisa InfantiPublished:Updated:

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A simple Sautéed Rapini Recipe or Broccoli Rabe Recipe made with just a few simple ingredients you are sure to have in your home any day of the week. Olive oil, garlic, Italian Seasoning and some chili peppers if you like things a little spicy.

A great side dish that goes perfect with Italian meatballs, pasta, chicken or beef.

Sautéed Rapini Recipe (1)

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Rapini is relatively new to me and not something I ever ate as a kid. I didn’t really hear of it until I met my husband who is Italian.

His mom makes rapini often and serves it as a side dish to pasta or roast beef dinner. Or sometimes she even mixes it into fettuccine noodles with a little olive oil and parmesan cheese.

This rapini recipe makes a great side dish to so many dishes that it has easily become the side dish I make most often outside of salads.

Sautéed Rapini Recipe (2)

What is rapini?

Rapini is also commonly known as Broccoli Rabe. It is a green leafy vegetable with little buds. It is actually part of the Turnip family, not broccoli.

Rapini or Broccoli Rabe can look a lot like broccoli but the stalks don’t form a solid bunch like broccoli coming as a loose bunch instead and they are much longer and skinnier.

The stalks can be quite bitter but if cooked right the bitterness mellows nicely. Click Here for more information about rapini from Wikipedia.

Sautéed Rapini Recipe (3)

How to choose the best bunch of rapini

Look for bunches of rapini that have shorter firm stalks with buds that are still unopened.

You want to avoid bunches that look wilted and have yellowing leaves or buds that look like they have opened or flowered.

Ingredients for sauteed rapini

Sautéed Rapini Recipe (4)

how to make sauteed rapini

There was a little Italian bakery I used to go to for lunch when I used to work at the newspaper. They had a lunch counter and the lady there made the best rapini in the universe. It was so good it sold out every single day so getting there before the lunch rush was a must if you wanted any.

She shared this recipe with me. It is a little spicy but if you don’t like the spice you can always leave out the chili peppers.

How to Make Rapini

  1. Wash and trim the ends off of one bunch of fresh rapini. Heat a large saucepan to medium-high heat. Add 2 tsp olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning and 1/8 tsp of chili flakes (optional). Sauté for 1 minute.
  1. Add the washed and trimmed bunch of rapini to the saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of water and cover with a lid to steam for about 5 minutes.
  1. Remove lid. Rapini should be wilted. Mix rapini with garlic and chili flakes. Let simmer for another 5 minutes with the lid off so the water can evaporate. Remove from heat and serve when stalks of the rapini are softer but not mush. A fork should be able to go through the stalk easily.

What is the trick to cooking rapini so it is not bitter?

The chef at the Italian bakery I used to frequent that had the best ever rapini told me it is cooking it with a little bit of water that helps to flush out the bitterness. This is why I like to add a 1/2 cup of water and let the rapini steam.

You also want to make sure the stems are fork-tender before eating. The stems are very bitter when raw so make sure they are cooked well but not mushy.

According to Cooks Illustrated keeping the entire stalk stem, leaves and bud intact also helps to reduce bitterness.

Sautéed Rapini Recipe (9)

Recipes that pair well with rapini

  • Cuban Style Baked Pork Tenderloin
  • Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Lemon Basil Freezer Meal Pork Chops

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Sautéed Rapini Recipe (10)

Sautéed Rapini Recipe

Alisa Infanti | The Delicious Spoon

A simple Sautéed Rapini Recipe made with just a few simple ingredients you are sure to have in your home any day of the week. Olive oil, garlic, Italian Seasoning and some chili peppers if you like things a little spicy. A great side dish that goes perfect with Italian meatballs, pasta, chicken or beef.

4.64 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 14 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Calories 47 kcal

Equipment

  • Knife

  • Collander

  • Large Sauté pan with lid

  • Stove

  • Spoon or Spatula

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch fresh rapini washed and stems trimmed
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
  • tsp chili flakes optional
  • ½ cup water

Instructions

  • Wash and trim the ends off of one bunch of fresh rapini. Heat a large saucepan to medium-high heat. Add 2 tsp olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning and 1/8 tsp of chili flakes (optional). Sauté for 1 minute.

  • Add the washed and trimmed bunch of rapini to the saucepan. Add 1/2 cup of water and cover with a lid to steam for about 5 minutes.

  • Remove lid. Rapini should be wilted. Mix rapini with garlic and chili flakes. Let simmer for another 5 minutes with the lid off so the water can evaporate. Remove from heat and serve when stalks of the rapini are softer but not mush. A fork should be able to go through the stalk easily.

Nutrition

Serving: 117gCalories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 3.6gProtein: 3.6gFat: 2.8gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.7gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 229mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 3010IUVitamin C: 23.1mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

If following the 21 Day Fix Container System this recipe would be considered

1 green and 1/4 tsp.

Please Note:

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Sautéed Rapini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook rapini so it is not bitter? ›

Blanching is key to making rapini/broccoli rabe less bitter. You can blanch it in a pot of boiling water for 60 to 90 seconds or steam it with a little water for a few minutes in a covered skillet before sauteeing. Both methods work well, but I prefer to boil it first.

What is the difference between rapini and Rabe? ›

Considered a cruciferous vegetable like Brussels sprouts, kale and (of course) broccoli, broccoli rabe is a dark green vegetable in the turnip family. It's sometimes spelled raab and also goes by a few different names: rapini, rapa, rappi, rappone and turnip broccoli.

How do you cook and eat rapini? ›

You can also blanch the rapini, and then sauté it in olive oil and garlic and top it with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Rapini also takes well to the grill. Toss with some olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Put directly on a the grill for a couples minutes per side.

Which is healthier broccoli or rapini? ›

A nutrition superstar, rapini satisfies more than 50% of your daily recommended value of vitamins C and A. It also delivers iron and vitamin K, which is important for bone strength. It's also just one step beneath regular broccoli (but in line with spinach) for protein content.

What can be added to neutralize bitterness in foods? ›

Easy Ways to Reduce Bitter Taste in Any Food
  • 1 Balance out bitterness with some fat.
  • 2 Cover the flavor with sweetness.
  • 3 Sprinkle some salt over your food.
  • 4 Try a pinch of baking soda.
  • 5 Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.
  • 6 Add some spice to your foods.
  • 7 Cook with herbs to cut through the bitter taste.

What is the English name for rapini? ›

Rapini or broccoli rabe (/rɑːb/) is a green cruciferous vegetable, with the leaves, buds, and stems all being edible; the buds somewhat resemble broccoli, but do not form a large head. Rapini is known for its bitter taste, and is particularly associated with Mediterranean cuisine.

What is rapini called in Italy? ›

The Italian name cime di rape means "turnip tops" and in Italy it's also known as rapini or broccoleti di rapa, while friarelli is common in Naples. It is a cruciferous vegetable, alongside broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Is broccoli rabe or spinach healthier? ›

Which is healthier, broccoli rabe or spinach? A. As per the data, we can observe that Vitamin B1 is higher in broccoli rabe. On the other hand, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, manganese, magnesium, potassium, copper, vitamin C, and iron are higher in spinach.

What does rapini do to your body? ›

Rapini contains two grams of fibre for every cup. Specifically, the fibre in rapini is soluble fibre, which slows transit and digestion time in the GI tract. Soluble fibre dissolves in water to form a gel-like material that lowers blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

Is rapini anti inflammatory? ›

Not only is it delicious, but it's also packed with vitamins and minerals that can help keep your body healthy. It's a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals such as calcium and iron. It also contains phytochemicals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

What is the season for rapini? ›

Rapini generally has two seasons — late fall and winter, for varieties planted in the late summer/early fall; and late spring/early summer, for varieties planted in the early spring. Cool weather, especially after a first frost, just makes it more delicious.

Does rapini lower blood pressure? ›

Aside from its culinary uses, rapini offers a range of health benefits. Rich in vitamins A, C and K, it also packs a high concentration of calcium, iron and potassium. Together, these nutrients help maintain healthy bones, regulate blood pressure and boost the immune system.

Can I eat raw rapini? ›

You can enjoy broccoli rabe either cooked or in its raw form, depending on your taste. Just keep in mind that the bitter taste may be more evident if you eat it raw. Broccoli rabe is widely used in Italian and Asian dishes and is typically either cooked or sauteed.

Is rapini good for weight loss? ›

My go-to fave is broccoli rabe. It's loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, and also packs in minerals like calcium, folate, and iron, just to name a few. Another bonus? Broccoli rabe is filled with water and fiber, which aid in digestion and can also keep you feeling fuller for longer, supporting healthy weight loss.

Is broccoli rabe the same as rapini? ›

Lastly, we have broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, which is not a broccoli derivative at all and is instead more closely related to the turnip. It's a bitter green, similar to a mustard green, with thin stalks, little buds, and lots and lots of leaves.

Is rapini same as mustard leaves? ›

Rapini is a member of the Brassicaceae (mustard) family and is in the same subspecies as the turnip: Brassica rapa var rapa. The cultivated vegetable probably descends from a wild herb related to the turnip that grew either in China or the Mediterranean region.

Is broccoli rabe called rapini? ›

Broccoli rabe is the common name for the vegetable rapini, a close relative of the turnip, which closely resembles broccoli and broccolini. Particularly dense in Vitamin A (one serving is nearly 20% of the daily value), the vegetable is commonly used in Italian, Italian-American, and other cuisines.

Why is rapini so bitter? ›

Broccoli rabe's bitter flavor comes from chemical compounds known as glucosinolates, which are found in other bitter greens like kale, collard greens, and mustard greens.

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