22 Frozen Veggie Recipes That Are Far From Ordinary

Posted: March 16, 2022 11:35 am

When Birdseye Foods founder Clarence Birdseye, an inventor and visionary, traveled to Northern Canada in the early 1900s, he became fascinated by techniques used by indigenous Inuit people to instantly freeze their just-caught fish. Could this mix of ice, wind and temperature parameters be replicated and applied to freshly picked produce he wondered?

To find out, he patented a quick-freeze machine that proved flash freezing kept veggie cell walls intact, so color, texture and flavor were all preserved. The man changed the face of the food industry. Inspired by Birdseye’s clever imagination, we present an homage to his unflagging spirit by offering you tips on how to make the most of your frozen veggies. No dog sled needed to apply any of these clever ideas!

Shrimp Fried Rice

Skip the take-out and use a bag of frozen mixed vegetables to whip up shrimp fried rice. All you need are 8 ingredients to churn out his yummy recipe and if diners insist that it your rice tastes as good as that served at your local Chinese emporium, accept the compliment gracefully.

Cheater Pot Pie

Nobody must know that you gave this easy-to-prepare chicken pot pie a makeover when there’s no time to roll out pastry dough. Seven ingredients and instructions so easy to follow, a kid could help whip it up, you get the taste minus the work by following this easy recipe that relies upon frozen veggies for texture and taste.

Stuffed mushrooms

This could become your go-to recipe when entertaining guests because who thinks of frozen spinach as a flavorful stuffing for oversize mushroom caps? This recipe doesn’t require much prep and since three of the ingredients are cheeses, biting into these tasty mushrooms could start a party in guest’s mouths.

Green pea guacamole

Are iffy harvests, shortages and supply chain issues playing havoc with your passion for avocados? This green pea guac made with frozen baby peas could get you through. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself as enamored with this version once you taste it.

Broccoli Cornbread With Cheese

They may not admit it out loud, but self-professed broccoli haters tend to ask for seconds once they bite into this satisfying side dish that makes the most of this frozen favorite. Time crunched? There are only 3 steps to this recipe and if you use a sharp or aged cheese to prepare this cornbread, you enhance flavors even more.

Pean ut Noodles Stir Fry

Admit it. You’d drive further to get your hands on authentic pad Thai if there’s no Thai eatery in your neighborhood. Armed with this recipe, you can stay home and treat your family to this pea nutty noodle dish made with bags of frozen mixed veggies and enough peanut butter to turn kids into mini-gourmands.

Veggie Casserole Bake

This is green bean casserole on steroids because it makes use of a variety of frozen veggies rather than just one. If your freezer is home to half-bags that need to be used up, here’s your tasty solution that comes with so many substitution options, nobody will know that you’ve recycled the same recipe.

White Spinach Pizza

For gourmets who prefer their pizza without the tomato sauce, this culinary masterpiece, loaded with nutrients and featuring both mozzarella and goat cheese is the ultimate treat minus the price associated with ordering curated pies with fancy names.

Indian-Spiced Pea Fritters

You don’t have to tell the kids that this delightful version of frozen pea goodness could help them develop a taste for international cuisine. The recipe is so quick and easy, this could become your go-to pick on nights when there’s no time to make anything exotic but your taste buds crave flavor:.

Tater Tot Casserole

Why should kids be the only diners who feast on tater tots? This adult-pleasing recipe is a delightful combination of beef, frozen tots, frozen veggies, and items you probably already have on hand. Grownup guests will appreciate the whimsy. You’ll appreciate the ease with which this recipe comes together.

Mexican Street Corn Dip

It’s the appetizer or snack that is so yummy, guests will ask for the recipe. For folks who love corn and cilantro but have never before seen these ingredients whipped up as a dip that pairs so nicely with tortilla chips, you don’t have to buy the flavored variety, because this creamy mix that depends upon frozen corn for its character rocks.

Roasted Salmon With Pea Puree

If the thought of half-and-half, white wine, and salmon filets don’t cause your mouth to water in anticipation, wait until you see how spectacular this dish looks once that tender, flaky fish is placed upon a blanket of frozen pea puree. The colors are dazzling. The taste is over the top. Who knew frozen green peas could be this classy? https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-salmon-pea-puree.

Spinach Enchiladas

Perhaps if your mom had this recipe, she wouldn’t have had to beg you to eat the ultimate green vegetable. A muy bueno combination of Mexican cheeses, spices, mushrooms, red sauce and mineral-laden frozen spinach, this recipe is vegan-friendly, too.

Crispy Pierogies

The main ingredients for this stand-out homage to Polish cuisine may already be in your freezer: frozen pierogis and frozen broccoli. A cultural twist that adds flavor to this tasty dish is the Italian sausage, but you can always substitute vegan sausage for non-meat-eating diners.

Nutty Orzo and Veggies

One taste and you’ll be convinced that this recipe didn’t come from a website focused on healthy living. It tastes awesome. Pairing frozen veggies with orzo pasta, toasted nuts and garbanzo beans, the taste is fresh, inviting and yummy and this side dish pairs nicely with any meat in your freezer, too. https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/263869/nutty-orzo-and-vegetables/.

Potato-Artichoke Gratin

A pound of frozen artichokes sets the stage for this continental dish that features caramelized onions, heavy cream, mascarpone, and sliced Yukon gold potatoes. Assemble and refrigerate this gratin for up to 4 hours before baking: https://www.finecooking.com/recipe/potato-artichoke-gratin.

Sausage Kale Soup

Frozen cauliflower rice makes a tasty base for this surprisingly fast and easy soup that is packed with flavor. Cook it fast and eat it even faster on a day you crave something savory and hot but don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen.

Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This recipe will convince you to serve yams more often than on Thanksgiving. Prepare them in advance, freeze them individually and when you’re starved for a tasty vegetarian meal on the fly, enlist your microwave to revive this delicious meal: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/freezer-to-oven-enchilada-stuffed-sweet-potatoes/.

Stir-fried Veggies in Sesame Ginger Sauce

Simple. Effortless. A great way to combine any mix of veggies in a sesame ginger sauce that requires no wok to produce a healthy, satisfying side dish. Served with noodles or rice, this inspired recipe won’t disappoint.

One-pot Veggie/Chicken Skillet

Turn frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots plus sautéed chicken into a tangy potpourri of flavor and the cleanup is so easy, you will wish you had found this Pillsbury recipe sooner.

Veggie-packed Meatloaf

At last: a dish for meat lovers that also happens to deliver 23 grams of protein and an embarrassing helping of flavor. Like regular meatloaf, breadcrumbs hold things together, but wait until you discover how flavorful a meatloaf can taste when frozen spinach is a prominent ingredient.

Frozen Vegetable Gumbo

If Louisiana-style cooking has won a place in your heart but you’ve never gotten your hands on a veggie gumbo recipe that came close to an authentic taste, this recipe offers a taste of Cajun cookery that takes your palate and your senses due south.