For Roasted Broccoli With Unforgettable Flavor, Season It Like This

There's nothing quite like roasted broccoli. Throwing those stalks under a high heat crisps up the edges whilst keeping them tender, and it brings out an almost sweetness that's hard to replicate. But even a good thing can always be improved. If you're looking to make the best roasted broccoli of your life, the surprising shortcut comes in the form of a packet of ranch seasoning.

While raw veggies and ranch dip have been paired together for decades on party platters, we see them together much less when it comes to cooked vegetables. But why not? Ranch's herb-heavy blend of garlic, onion, dill, chives, and parsley does a lot to complement broccoli's earthier flavors, if you can get the technique down. It isn't complicated, you just need to season the florets before they go in the oven, as opposed to dipping or covering them in ranch dressing afterwards. Use a little olive oil drizzled on top to help the spices stick to the broccoli, then roast it all at around 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

The familiarity of ranch with vegetables opens the door to other variations on ranch-roasted broccoli. It tastes incredible served as a side mixed with shredded cheddar, bacon crumbles, Parmesan, or toasted breadcrumbs; add it to wraps and sandwiches for a little veggie boost; or toss it through a salad or grain bowl. If you love ranch and also love heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes, both of which complement the more cooling notes of ranch.

It doesn't need to stop at broccoli — a similar seasoning trick can make canned corn the star of your next cookout, and it works beautifully with roasted cauliflower, cabbage wedges, asparagus, and potatoes. America's enduring obsession with ranch knows no bounds, and what began as a salad dressing has evolved into a flavor category in its own right. Now it's perfectly normal to find potato chips, fries, popcorn, and countless snack foods seasoned with ranch, so there's nothing out of the ordinary about applying it to roasted broccoli. It's a seasoning blend so undeniably good that everyone knows they love what they're tasting, before they even recognise what exactly it is.