Frozen vegetables are a healthy and delicious addition to any meal, with the added convenience that they’re pre-cut and super-easy to prepare. But do you sometimes find yourself wondering what to do with frozen vegetables beyond serving them as a side-dish? Here are some of our favorite ideas for when you want to “think outside the box” (or bag) for creative ways to infuse frozen vegetables into your favorite recipes or go-to meals.
Tweet This1. Keep them cold:
Looking for an amazing salad to take to work? Cook + chill and mix frozen quinoa or broccoli, carrots, and peas into your favorite greens or pasta the night before, toss with a light dressing and enjoy!
2. Get crispy:
Give green beans and cauliflower or Brussels sprouts a light coating of breadcrumbs and pan fry with a small amount of oil for a crispy crunch. One of our favorite toppings is Ian’s non-GMO whole wheat panko breadcrumbs. Experiment with different coatings, oils, and seasoning for an almost unlimited number of flavors. If you want to avoid frying, try roasting vegetables over high heat in the oven.
3. Use them in baking:
How about mixing in some frozen vegetables to your strata or frittata? And don’t forget, lots of vegetables work very well in muffins, savory pies, and puffed pastries. Mix spinach and kale, squash, sweet potatoes or other root vegetables with your favorite cheeses and turn an average weekend brunch into a gourmet feast.
4. Mix ‘em up:
Mix in frozen vegetables the next time you make any sort of “burger” – whether a hamburger or veggie burger – for added taste and nutrition. Spinach, broccoli florets, squash or green beans can be chopped or mixed in a food processor and then added to the meat or grain base and thrown on the grill.
5. Try a soft swirl:
Summer BBQs need delicious veggie dips and spreads! Swirl in chopped spinach, chard, or any favorite dark green with yogurt or sour cream or experiment with different greens, nuts, and garlic or onions for a veggie pesto. Need a fabulous dip recipe? Find one right here.
6. Super soup:
Whether you buy them at the store, or make a big batch at home, pre-made soups are a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Add extra nutrition and variety by adding in your favorite frozen vegetables right before serving. It’s a great way to turn a basic soup into something different every day.
7. Smashed:
Looking for a fun and healthy spread for toast or crackers? Trying smashing carrots or butternut squash into a spreadable paste, add your favorite seasonings or sweeteners, and then get ready to snack!
8. Add some spice:
Sometimes, adding a little spice is all that’s needed to turn a ho-hum vegetable side-dish into the star-attraction. Garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika and cumin is a simple spice mixture that adds a flavorful punch. While pre-made spice mixtures are widely available in stores, it’s also easy to make your own. If mixing seasoning seems daunting – don’t worry, Tommy’s Superfoods has you covered! All our frozen vegetables are perfectly seasoned for you. Through trial and error, we truly tried it all to find the most unique and complementary blends so you can enjoy vegetables seasoned with their very best, most harmonizing counterparts without doing anything more than heating and serving.
9. Add herbs:
If you have an herb garden, or have bought fresh, seasonal herbs from your local farmer’s market add them into your frozen vegetables. Basil, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, chives all pair nicely with most vegetables – and you can also add a sprinkling of chopped and toasted nuts and a squeeze of citrus (lemon, lime, or even orange!) for extra crunch and zing.
10. Go creamy:
Creamy cheese sauces are a real treat when paired with frozen veggies like broccoli or cauliflower. If you’re looking to recreate the creaminess without the dairy, try substituting nut milks and nut creams. Doing an internet search for “vegan cheese sauces” will show you plenty of creative recipes to try.
What’s your favorite way to eat frozen vegetables?
At Tommy’s Superfoods, we’re always wondering how to make frozen vegetables as delicious and nutritious as possible, and we’re constantly experimenting with new vegetable medley combinations. What are some of your favorite tips for preparing frozen vegetables for your family? What kinds of combinations would you like to see available from Tommy’s Superfoods next? We always appreciate customer feedback, so please let us know!
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