Frozen Mixed Vegetables Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

How do you spruce up frozen mixed vegetables? ›

Acidic ingredients like lemon or vinegar, fats like butter and olive oil, spicy condiments like chile flakes or hot sauce, savory ingredients like cheese, bacon and nuts and fresh and dried herbs are all your friends when it comes to frozen vegetables.

Even though they're frozen, try to get as much olive oil or avocado oil on there so that it helps them crisp up. Use more than you would normally use for fresh vegetables. Don't overcrowd the pan. Since they have a lot of moisture, they will release more moisture, so you want to keep space between the vegetables.

Most of the time, you don't need to thaw frozen vegetables before cooking with them—but it depends on what you're making. For soups, stews and pastas, you can toss still frozen vegetables right into the pot. These dishes can withstand some extra moisture, and the warmth will thaw out the veggies.

Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven while it preheats. This is another way to avoid steaming your frozen vegetables. Dumping the frozen vegetables out onto a hot baking sheet means they'll start cooking immediately before any excess moisture on them has a chance to soak in.

Do NOT boil or thaw the mixed veggies prior to cooking! You will most likely end up with mushy veggies. Season well – just like with fresh vegetables, make them taste good by adding herbs, spices, and favorite condiments. Avoid overcrowding the pan – when sauteing or roasting, spread the vegetables out on the pan.

Sauteing frozen vegetables on the stove top guarantees the best texture and flavor. As a secondary option, you could roast them in the oven or even cook them on the grill. All three of these options are going to result in better tasting veggies than if you boil, steam or microwave them.

Roast your vegetables at a high enough temperature. I recommend roasting at 450 F in the oven of 400 F in the air fryer. I've found that frozen broccoli, green beans, cauliflower and brussel sprouts roast the best from frozen!

Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower.

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

Cooking Time: Don't Overcook!

Overcooking frozen vegetables can result in a mushy texture and loss of nutritional value. Tip: Follow package instructions for approximate cooking times. Test for doneness by sampling a piece during the last few minutes. Cooking times vary by vegetable type and size.

How to stir fry frozen vegetables without getting soggy? ›

Make sure your frozen veggies don't thaw before you cook them. 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.

You can freeze just about any vegetable except celery, watercress, endive, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber and radishes. These foods have a high water content and become soggy and water-logged when thawed.

Add butter and fresh minced garlic. The melted butter coats the vegetables and creates a sort of sauce and the garlic adds another layer of flavor. Stir in fresh minced parsley and parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper!

Why is my stir-fry so watery? Damp vegetables drop the temperature of your wok or skillet and can turn your stir-fry into a soupy braise. Pat vegetables dry or run leafy greens through a salad spinner until dry to the touch. Otherwise, they will steam and braise in the pan and lose their crispness.

The best seasonings to use

Well in the case of mixed vegetables, I like to use chicken broth, chicken flavor bouillon cubes or salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Make sure you season your vegetables! I love using salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Roast your vegetables at a high enough temperature. I recommend roasting at 450 F in the oven of 400 F in the air fryer.