Sometimes vegetables can be expensive — especially if they aren’t in season. And some nights, you probably won’t have the time & energy to slave away in the kitchen chopping vegetables for dinner. Or maybe you just don’t have any fresh veggies on hand.
So how can you still get your veggies in? Enter frozen veggies!
But wait. Are frozen vegetables really a good solution? And if you do use them, how can you make them taste good?
Are frozen veggies healthy?
Fresh vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. But what about frozen vegetables? Are they as nutritious as fresh veggies?
One study comparing fresh and frozen fruits & vegetables found that there is “no significant difference” in several key nutrients. And frozen veggies even maintain their nutritional value better over time!
Some frozen vegetables come with special seasonings & sauces. While these may be tasty & fun, they often come with lots of extra salt & sugar. So just stick to the plain frozen vegetables and get creative with your own seasonings!
Why eat frozen vegetables?
So why should you incorporate frozen vegetables into your diet?
One study found that people who eat frozen veggies usually have a higher overall vegetable intake. Sometimes the convenience of frozen vegetables just can’t be beat!
It’s easy to keep an extra bag or two of frozen vegetables on hand for those times when you run low of fresh ingredients. And for those nights when you don’t have time to do lots of chopping, it’s so convenient to pull out a bag of pre-chopped vegetables! And thankfully, frozen veggies are both nutritious and budget-friendly. I call that a win!
Frozen veggies are convenient, nutritious, and budget-friendly!
But how can you incorporate these convenient, budget-friendly vegetables into your meals? Here are a few ideas.
1. Frozen vegetable stir fry / fried rice
I love using stir fry veggie mixes or even just frozen peas & carrots in a stir fry or fried rice. Throw in some tofu or egg for protein, and you’ve got yourself a tasty meal!
Here are some of my favorite recipes:
- spicy edamame stir fry with tofu from She Likes Food (I add some frozen cauliflower too!)
- vegetable fried rice from Budget Bytes
- teriyaki tofu bowls from She Likes Food (I use frozen broccoli or stir fry veggies)
2. Soup with frozen veggies
Soup is a great option when you’re running low on fresh ingredients. Throw in some broth, diced tomatoes, beans, and frozen veggies to make a delicious soup.
Here are some soups we enjoy:
- vegetarian minestrone from Ambitious Kitchen (use frozen green beans)
- vegetarian peanut soup from Cookie and Kate (use frozen kale or other greens)
- detox crockpot lentil soup from Pinch of Yum (use frozen greens)
3. Frozen veggie smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to sneak in some extra veggies (especially for choosy littles š ). (For other ideas on how to get in extra veggies, check out my article here!)
- my dreamy orange smoothie with frozen greens
- blueberry cauliflower smoothie from The Natural Nurturer
- frozen green pea citrus smoothie from PowerHungry
3 ways to eat frozen veggies:
1) frozen veggie stir fry / fried rice
2) soup with frozen veggies
3) frozen veggie smoothies
Eat More Veggies!
Whether you eat fresh, frozen, or even canned vegetables, here’s the main idea: eat more veggies! Frozen veggies can be a convenient and budget-friendly way to get in the fiber, vitamins, and minerals you need. Try adding them to stir fries, soups, and smoothies to up your veggie intake!
How will you use frozen veggies? Let me know in the comments below! <3
