Quick and easy, frozen broccoli is a healthy side dish that can be ready in minutes! With so many ways to cook, you can’t go wrong with this nutritious vegetable.
Frozen broccoli- the ultimate vegetable side dish? I certainly think so! Broccoli pairs well with any entree- from creamy pasta to spicy stir fry, it is delicious any way you cook it. With minimal prep work (and boy, do I mean minimal!) you can have this side dish on your table in no time.
Why Frozen?
You may be wondering, is frozen broccoli healthy? Normally we assume that fresh broccoli is always best. But frozen is just as good!
Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked at their peak freshness. This allows fruit and vegetables to keep all the vitamins and minerals that are often lost during processing. In some cases, frozen produce can be even healthier than fresh!
Broccoli is high in several vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C, K1, and iron are all found in broccoli. This helps with skin and bone health.
Another great benefit to frozen broccoli? It’s a cheap side dish! Frozen vegetables are often cheaper than fresh. Be sure to check your freezer aisle before shopping for fresh produce.
How to Cook Frozen Broccoli
There are several different methods to cook frozen broccoli florets. My favorite way is to roast in the oven. I love when the tips get a little charred- it brings a new, crispy texture to the vegetable that I can’t get enough of!
There are many different recipes you can use to season the vegetable. I like simple ingredients that let the vegetable shine. Here are a few of my favorite seasonings – this really gives the broccoli extra flavor!
Parmesan Cheese: Who doesn’t love cheese? This gives the veggie a nice nutty flavor, without overpowering it. This is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies!
Onion Powder or Garlic Powder: A little sprinkle of seasoning makes broccoli delicious.
Lemon Juice: After cooking, a squeeze of lemon brightens up the flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar: Roasting broccoli with balsamic vinegar takes this vegetable to a whole new level! I love the salty sweet flavor- it makes broccoli absolutely delicious.
Sambal oelek, or chili paste: A little bit of this goes a long way! This condiment is a great way to spice things up (literally!) and bring a fun, new flavor profile to broccoli. This seasoning is great when roasted, so the flavor is able to deepen.
How Long Does It Take To Cook?
Frozen broccoli is actually quite fast to cook! Depending on your method, your cook time will vary. Roasting will take about 20-25 minutes. Steaming will take 7-10 minutes. Microwaving will take 5-6 minutes. There is no best way to cook frozen broccoli- it all depends on your taste and preference.
Soggy Broccoli
Sometimes, cooking frozen vegetables can make for an unappetizing side dish. They can quickly go from perfectly cooked to soggy and unappetizing. No one wants soggy vegetables!
The key to crispy, delicious broccoli? Do not thaw the vegetables! Use the veggie straight out of the freezer. This will ensure the best results possible.
Here are two different ways to cook broccoli perfectly every time.
Oven Roasted Broccoli
Oven-roasted broccoli is delicious! I can’t get enough of the salty, crispy texture.
Set oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper- this will help the broccoli from sticking to the pan.
Lay broccoli out on a single layer. Lightly spray with a little olive oil spray (or spray of your choice). Season with salt and black pepper, and gently toss with your hands. Seasoning the broccoli while frozen will help everything stick to the vegetable.
Place in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Toss halfway to ensure even browning. Cook for another 10 minutes, until the broccoli tips start to char.
When the broccoli is cooked and nicely charred, generously sprinkle grated parmesan onto the broccoli. Cook another 3 minutes.
Steamed Broccoli
If you are in a pinch, steamed broccoli is a great way to go. Steaming is the best cooking method for all vegetables to keep their nutrients. It is also super simple!
First, fill a medium size pot halfway with water. Add a steamer basket and fill with frozen broccoli.
Turn the stove to medium-high heat and cover the broccoli with a lid. Cook broccoli for approximately 10 minutes. The broccoli should be fork tender and vibrant green.
Once cooked, drain water from the pot. Season broccoli with butter, salt, and pepper to taste. If you want, you could add a pinch of garlic powder to help give it more flavor.
Instant Pot Broccoli
Cooking broccoli in an Instant Pot is similar to steaming. I like to use the same steamer basket that I normally use on the stove. As long as it is metal, it should be ok. No special equipment is needed here.
Fill the pot with 1 cup of water. Place the steamer basket in the pot and add broccoli. Seal the lid on, and move the steam release valve to Sealing. Using the Pressure Cook setting, select Normal for the pressure level and set the time to 0. When the timer goes off, immediately move the steam release valve to Venting.
You may think 0 is not enough time to cook through broccoli, but it is! The frozen broccoli will cook in the time that it takes for the pressure to build.
While testing this method I added 2 extra minutes, which resulted in very mushy broccoli. Still perfectly edible, just not as appetizing! I enjoyed it with some butter, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to help brighten the flavor.
My favorite way to cook frozen broccoli is in the oven. I can easily eat a whole tray when it is deliciously charred! Tell me in the comments below if you have a favorite way to cook frozen broccoli!