20 Recipes That Start With Frozen Broccoli (2024)

Most of us have a bag or two of broccoli stuck in the back of the freezer. And that's good news! Because it's a snap to transform this frozen veggie into a delicious main dish or impressive side. Whether tossed into a casserole, puréed in a soup, or used to stuff chicken breasts, frozen broccoli is an easy way to add a bit of healthy green to dinner. These recipes show how to enjoy frozen broccoli without settling for the plain steamed variety.

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Quick and Simple Broccoli and Cheese

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A little cheese is an excellent way to dress up broccoli for picky eaters. Reviewer Jillian raves, "Definitely quick and definitely simple — a classic combination for a great side dish."

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Broccoli Cornbread with Cheese

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Dress up packaged cornbread with chopped broccoli, cottage cheese, onions, and plenty of Cheddar to create a casserole-like dish. "Made this for my picky husband (who literally gags at the smell or taste of broccoli) and he loved it," shares Susie P.

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Broccoli Soup

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Two packages of frozen broccoli are the base for this tasty soup, paired up with potatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken broth. Serve as-is for a light dinner, or place a piece of cheese toast atop to create a filling meal.

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Broccoli and Rice Stir Fry

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Make your own Asian-inspired stir-fried rice with this easy recipe. Each bite of soy sauce-coated rice is studded with pieces of broccoli, egg, and green onion.

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Fried Broccoli

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You'll never guess that this dish started with frozen broccoli after tasting this pan-frying method. JACKROX says, "This was really good and couldn't be easier, and probably the only way I will prepare frozen broccoli from now on."

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Awesome Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

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Broccoli and Cheddar are the stars of this decadent casserole, with mayonnaise and cream of mushroom soup adding to the richness. Recipe creator Stacy M. Polcyn says it's among the kids' favorite dishes.

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Cheesy Broccoli and Vegetable Soup

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Bags of frozen broccoli and California mixed vegetables go into this produce-packed soup. The cheesy broth is velvety smooth, but if you'd like it thicker feel free to sprinkle in a few instant mashed potato flakes.

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Broccoli Souffle

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"Passed down through the generations, this broccoli soufflé recipe has become a holiday staple in our family," says Heather. "A savory taste with a crispy cheese topping makes it a sure win." This recipe works great as a lighter main or a side dish.

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Broccoli with Lemon Butter Sauce

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Who knew something so simple could be so flavorful? Tangy lemon and rich butter combine to dress up these frozen broccoli florets.

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Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole

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Using almost entirely convenience ingredients — like frozen broccoli, canned chicken, and instant rice — this casserole is ready in a mere 45 minutes. Not a fan of canned chicken? Some reviewers had success subbing in shredded rotisserie chicken.

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Bowties and Broccoli

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Sometimes less is more and this recipe is a prime example of that. Farfalle is tossed with broccoli, olive oil, Pecorino Romano cheese, and garlic to create a flavorful yet simple pasta dish.

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Broccoli Cheese Soup

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Buttery, cheesy, and super smooth, what's not to love about this creamy soup? "This is a great recipe," says reviewer ELMOLVSU, "My 4 year old liked it even after she found out it had broccoli!"

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Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken

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Your basic chicken breasts get a flavorful update when stuffed with broccoli, garlic herb cheese, and plenty of gooey Cheddar. Recipe creator France C. gives this advice, "Buy thin-sliced chicken cutlets and save yourself the work of slicing them yourself. However feel free to cut regular-sized chicken breasts if you prefer. Slice in half horizontally, then pound thin to about a 1/4-inch thickness."

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Broccoli and Cheddar Nuggets

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Skip the chicken nuggets and serve up broccoli for dinner instead! These dippable nuggets are made with a base of frozen broccoli, Cheddar, breadcrumbs, and eggs.

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Quick Chicken Divan

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If you've got leftover chicken, this recipe is an easy way to transform it into a comforting dinner. Tender pieces of chicken and steamed broccoli are layered up with a creamy chicken-mushroom sauce and a topping of Cheddar cheese.

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Spinach-Broccoli Soup

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Frozen broccoli and fresh spinach team up to create this vibrantly green soup. A dash of Worcestershire sauce adds a savory depth, while quinoa contributes extra texture.

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Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli

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Say bye to boring pasta with this spicy dinner option. Cavatelli is combined with broccoli and spicy Italian sausage for a filling meal. Each bowl is finished off with a sprinkling of red pepper flakes and grating of fresh Parmesan.

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Broccoli Rice Casserole

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This mild and homey casserole is the perfect partner for bolder main dishes. Each bite is packed with fluffy rice, rich cheese, and tender broccoli florets.

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Easy Broccoli and Ham Quiche

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"This quiche has great flavor and can be used for breakfast, lunch, or dinner," says recipe creator JenCanCook. "It tastes just as great the next day for leftovers!"

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Ham, Potato and Broccoli Casserole

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Frozen French fries, frozen broccoli, and leftover ham are the tasty trio that make up this stick-to-your-ribs casserole. Ham not a family favorite? Recipe creator SURELEE suggests swapping in cooked chicken.

20 Recipes That Start With Frozen Broccoli (2024)

FAQs

Should I thaw frozen broccoli before stir frying? ›

Add green onions, ginger and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add both bags of frozen vegetables and cook until tender. Don't worry about defrosting them, just add them frozen and let the pan do the work.

How do you cook frozen broccoli so it's not mushy? ›

Put a couple inches of water in a pot over medium heat. Once the water is boiling, add your steamer basket; if you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a metal colander or sieve that fits in the pot. Add your broccoli, cover with a lid and let steam for 5 to 8 minutes. Season and add a squeeze of lemon.

What is the healthiest way to eat frozen broccoli? ›

Steam It: Steaming is one of the best methods to cook frozen broccoli while preserving its texture. Use a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for 3-5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender but still has a slight crunch.

Can you thaw frozen broccoli and eat raw? ›

Thinking All Frozen Veggies Need to Be Cooked

You can defrost them and then toss on a salad — though you will need to make sure they're fully defrosted and slightly at room temperature to do so,” she says. Eating veggies raw actually increases their nutritional value and saves you time.

Do I need to blanch broccoli before stir frying? ›

An expert Chinese chef's tip for making the best broccoli

In this masterclass on how to stir fry broccoli, my dad shares two essential tips for keeping the broccoli nice and crisp. First, blanch the florets! This not only softens the stems, but also stops the enzyme that leads to browning.

How do you make frozen stir fry vegetables not soggy? ›

They should go straight from the freezer into a very hot skillet or wok. This will prevent them from getting soggy. Cook your rice or noodles the day before and store it in the refrigerator. Doing so makes sure it has the time to dry out a bit so your dish isn't mushy.

What is the white stuff on frozen broccoli when cooking? ›

Freezer burn is dehydration on the surface of frozen food due to air exposure. The telltale signs are whitish splotches—ice crystals—on the food itself.

Why does my frozen broccoli taste bitter? ›

Blanching is an important step to the freezing process. If you don't blanch your broccoli, it will turn color and acquire a bitter taste.

Are frozen broccoli florets healthy? ›

Frozen broccoli is typically picked and frozen at peak freshness, so it will maintain its nutritional value. Occasionally, frozen broccoli can be more nutritious than fresh broccoli because the blanching process it goes through prior to being frozen can kill bacteria, preserve nutritional value, and prevent spoiling.

Is frozen broccoli anti inflammatory? ›

Frozen leafy greens, like broccoli, spinach, kale, and collards, are all great choices to neutralize your immune system. Broccoli is unique because it's rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that suppresses some of the body's inflammatory response.

Is frozen broccoli good for dogs? ›

Yes, dogs can eat frozen broccoli. As always, it's just important that you chop it up into small pieces for them and you don't feed them too much, as broccoli can be toxic for dogs in large amounts. Other than that, it's a great ready-to-go, low calorie treat for your pooch.

Should I rinse frozen broccoli? ›

If the package suggests to drain or rinse the vegetables, then they should be washed. While there has been some controversy in the past about the food safety of frozen produce, the AFFI assures that frozen produce is highly safe and manufacturing facilities are held to high standards of cleanliness.

Are frozen broccoli already cooked? ›

Before broccoli is frozen it is blanched (cooked in boiling water and then placed in an ice bath to stop the cooking process). Since the frozen broccoli is precooked, you only need to reheat the broccoli.

What are the best frozen vegetables to eat? ›

  1. Green Peas. “I use organic frozen peas in a pot pie or vol au vent. ...
  2. Fire-Roasted Corn. ...
  3. Edamame. ...
  4. Butternut Squash. ...
  5. Green Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas) ...
  6. Zucchini. ...
  7. Fire-Roasted Bell Peppers and Onions. ...
  8. Okra.
Aug 25, 2023

Is it okay to eat broccoli that was left out overnight? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher).

Can you use frozen vegetables in a stir fry? ›

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the onion and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Now add the frozen vegetables (no need to thaw them first) and cook, stirring constantly for about 5-8 minutes or until they are crisp tender.

Is it better to defrost frozen vegetables before cooking? ›

Frozen vegetables shouldn't be defrosted because they can lose their crunchy texture. Additionally, defrosting frozen vegetables can cause them to lose the flavor and nutrients that are sealed in from their freezing process, especially if you defrost them a day or two prior to cooking.

Can you fry frozen broccoli? ›

Heat large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add frozen broccoli to skillet and cover. Cook for 5 minutes (you can stir, or if you like dark spots, leave it undisturbed) and then uncover. Turn heat up to medium-high, drizzle broccoli with olive oil and season with sea salt.

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