Transforming frozen vegetables into a side or main dish that the kids actually want to eat can be a challenge, but these 11 ideas are here to help. Learn the best ways to cook frozen vegetables for the best flavor, texture, and results!
Are frozen veggies as nutritious as fresh?
Let’s tackle this common question right off the top! Yes, they are. They are frozen at the peak of ripeness, so frozen veggies are actually often more nutritious than fresh. Plus, there usually isn’t anything added to them so you don’t need to worry about salt or other additives.
How to Cook Frozen Vegetables
Serving frozen vegetables doesn’t need to mean soggy, mushy veggies—and there are some techniques you can rely on to make cooking them quick and easy. These methods are the ones we use regularly and ones you can try to mix things up if you’re stuck in a frozen veggie rut.
1. Roast Frozen Vegetables
You can roast frozen vegetables including broccoli, green beans, peppers, and cauliflower as you would fresh vegetables. The method is very similar to roasting fresh, though you may need a few extra minutes to ensure you get all of the liquid out.
2. Steam or Saute
You can steam or saute any frozen vegetables and typically there are instructions for each kind on the package. To avoid mushy veggies with either method, try not to overcook them and remove from the heat as soon as they’re warmed through and tender. We love Steamed Broccoli.
3. Blend into Soup
Adding broccoli, cauliflower, and peas to blended soups like Broccoli Cheddar Soup is an easy way to use frozen veggies. You can also add corn to chili and mushrooms to Chicken Noodle Soup or Wild Rice Soup.
4. Stir into Pasta
You can add peas to Pesto Pasta, broccoli to Sausage Pasta, cauliflower to Marinara Sauce, and mushrooms to alfredo or marinara sauce; You can blend butternut squash or sweet potato into marinara sauce, too.
5. Stir into Grains
Try making Cheesy Rice with Corn or stirring chopped frozen spinach into rice. (My one year old loved rice with spinach and cheese!)
6. Cook in a Simmer Sauce
Simmering frozen cauliflower, sweet potato, or peas in an Indian Simmer Sauce like tikka masala, or adding a few cups of cauliflower florets to Butter Chicken or tomato sauce is a great way to add more veggies to a meal.
7. Add to Eggs
Almost any frozen veggie pairs well with eggs, so try adding them to an omelet, Egg Muffins, or a frittata. I prefer to thaw the vegetables in warm water, pat them dry, then chop them up before adding them to egg recipes to make sure they aren’t too moist.
8. Use in Savory Pancakes
Adding frozen corn, mixed veggies, chopped broccoli, or cauliflower to Savory Pancakes (with or without cheese) is a yummy and unexpected meal idea. We like these with salsa or ketchup, though you can choose another dipping sauce if you prefer.
9. Add to Smoothies
Frozen cauliflower and avocado can be added directly to smoothies. They both add nutrients and creaminess without adding any veggie flavor.
10. Serve with a Dip
Plan frozen veggies taste better served with a dipping sauce like Peanut Sauce, pizza sauce, salsa, BBQ, ranch, ketchup, or tahini. I love using frozen cauliflower in my easy Cheese Sauce and then serving it with additional steamed frozen veggies.
11. Blend into Mac and Cheese
Frozen cauliflower works well in Cauliflower Mac and Cheese and frozen butternut squash works well in Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.
Best Tips for Cooking Frozen Vegetables
- Avoid cooking them too long. Stop cooking as soon as they are warmed through and tender.
- Season to taste with salt and butter or oil when cooking them on their own.
- Serve with dipping sauces to add flavor.
- Sprinkle shredded or grated cheese on plain cooked frozen veggies.
- Simmer in tomato sauce or another simmer sauce.
- Blend into mac and cheese.
- Blend frozen cauliflower or avocado into smoothies.
- Add to eggs, omelets, egg muffins, and more.
Related Recipes
If I missed your favorite way to serve up frozen veggies, please comment below to add it to the list!
This post was first published March 2020.
