Best Way to Cook Frozen Broccoli – Roasted Frozen Broccoli Recipe

 

 

When I was in school, I lived off of frozen broccoli (and frozen vegetables in general). I would get massive value sized bags of frozen stir-fry mix and frozen broccoli when shopping with my parents on the weekend and rely on it for weeks.

 

Back then, I never really liked frozen broccoli that much. I would just steam it and have it as a side dish, but it was more of a chore to eat than something I actually enjoyed. Frozen broccoli to me always had a flavour of ‘frozen broccoli’. It retained so much liquid and always had a mushy texture, never crispy like fresh.

 

 




 

 

Thawed frozen broccoli on a paper towel

 

 

Needless to say, before COVID-19 self-isolation, I hadn’t purchased frozen broccoli since my university days. Don’t get me wrong – I’m still a huge fan of frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables are frozen at the peak of freshness, so they’re just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. They’re also convenient and something you can stock up on when on sale, so no matter what you’ll always have a supply of veggies on hand. I frequently rely on other frozen vegetables to help get me through my week, but I’ve stayed away from frozen broccoli.

 

 

 



 

Roasted Frozen Broccoli on a sheet pan close-up

 

 

Fresh broccoli, on the other hand, is a staple vegetable in my home. So when we started preparing to make fewer trips to the grocery store, I decided to give frozen broccoli another chance to make sure that we had a variety of vegetables on hand to help us eat well while social distancing.

 

If you’re looking for more recipes using freezer & pantry staples, check out our roundup of 30+ Easy Recipes Using Pantry & Freezer Staples here

 

After my university days, I knew that steamed frozen broccoli was not going to cut it. Since my favourite way to eat most vegetables is roasted, I was determined to make this work with frozen broccoli. After some trial and error, I can say that I have perfected how to roast frozen broccoli. Using this method, your frozen broccoli will be crunchy with a depth of flavour coming from the sweet charred edges.

 



 

Crispy roasted frozen broccoli on a sheet pan

 

 

Best part? That ‘frozen broccoli’ flavour is completely gone! If you’re looking for the best way to cook frozen broccoli – this roasted frozen broccoli method is the way to go. Just be sure to follow these steps to ensure a crispy end-product. 

 

If you’re looking for a stovetop method for cooking frozen broccoli, check out my Best Way to Cook Frozen Broccoli on Stovetop post! 

 

 

Best Way To Roast Frozen Broccoli

 

 

To roast frozen broccoli, I suggest letting broccoli completely thaw before cooking. This way, it won’t retain any additional water that contributes to that ‘frozen broccoli’ texture. I also suggest slicing any large broccoli florets in half. Before placing it on your cooking pan, gently squeeze the florets with a paper towel to absorb the additional moisture – this step is critical and what helps to allow it to get nice and crispy!

 

All this broccoli needs for seasoning is olive oil, salt and pepper. The roasting will do the rest. Try my perfected method of roasting frozen broccoli below – you won’t regret it!

 

 



 

Best way to roast frozen broccoli

 

Best Way to Cook Frozen Broccoli – Frozen Broccoli recipe ?

 

 

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Crispy roasted frozen broccoli on a sheet pan

Best Way to Cook Frozen Broccoli – Roasted Frozen Broccoli Recipe


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  • Author: Brittany
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 Servings

Description

I’ve perfected the art of roasting frozen broccoli! Crunchy with a depth of flavour coming from the sweet charred edges, this freezer staple will become a new fave in your home!


Ingredients

Frozen broccoli, thawed (slice any large pieces in half)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Meanwhile, gently squeeze thawed broccoli with a paper towel to absorb as much of the moisture as possible. Place broccoli on the sheet pan with space between each floret. Use two pans if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  3. Drizzle broccoli with oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Roast broccoli in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip each floret (they should be browned and crispy on the size that was down). Place broccoli back into the oven and continue roasting for another 10 minutes, or until edges have charred slightly.

Notes

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your florets.

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: vegetable side
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: Canadian

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About Brittany

 

Brittany Raftis, Registered Dietitian Real Good Eats Hi there! I am a registered dietitian and I  ?  food! I am passionate about making it easier for busy people to eat well by sharing quick and healthy recipes. Healthy cooking at home can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I love helping people uncomplicate weeknight dinners and reduce stress around meal time, so I’m so glad you’re here!

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