Thursday, May 8, 2025

From Freezer to Table: An Easy Frozen Broccoli Side Dish

A Simple and Delicious Frozen Broccoli Side Dish with a Ginger, Rice Vinegar, and Tamari Dressing.

Do you like broccoli, but don't like cleaning and cutting it? Use frozen broccoli for a no fuss, no mess experience. 

Even something as simple as frozen broccoli can be brought to life with an interesting sauce such as my ginger tamari combo.

Eating well doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the best dishes come together with just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

green broccoli in white round ceramic bowl

I'm trying to eat lighter, healthier, and lose some weight. Therefore I'm sharing lighter recipes because that's what I'm eating. This quick and easy recipe highlights the natural goodness of broccoli with a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce that comes together in minutes.

With frozen broccoli, you can skip the washing and chopping while still enjoying all the healthy benefits of this nutrient-packed cruciferous vegetable. 

Free Vegetable Healthy photo and picture

I am a natural vegetable lover and enjoy steamed broccoli totally plain- however, not everyone does. So I'm offering a way to make a simple dressing.

This simple recipe calls foe grating and combing some fresh ginger with rice vinegar with some naturally gluten free tamari sauce. The delicious flavor  will have you coming back for seconds.

Free Ginger Ingber photo and picture

I haven't tried this sauce combination on other vegetables, but it might work with cauliflower too. 

Enjoy over rice noodles, with tofu, or rice.

The Easiest Broccoli Side Dish

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen broccoli florets (12 ounces)

2 cups of water- divided

2 tablespoons of rice vinegar 

2 tablespoons of tamari sauce (gluten-free)

1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger

Optional: Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Heat a wide rimmed skillet, add broccoli and 1 cup of water. Cook on a high heat uncovered until broccoli begins to thaw somewhat (about 3 minutes). While broccoli is cooking in the skillet, grate ginger and mix together with the vinegar and tamari. Pour the mixture over the broccoli and allow to continue cooking another minute or two until broccoli is soft but still green. Add small amounts of water if needed to prevent burning.

Why Eat More Cruciferous Vegetables?

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which also includes kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. These vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them an essential part of a balanced diet. They are especially known for their high levels of sulforaphane, a powerful compound that supports detoxification, may reduce inflammation, and may even help protect against certain diseases.

While fresh broccoli is always a great choice, frozen broccoli offers the same health benefits and is often even more convenient. It’s picked and frozen at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients and ensuring you always have a healthy option on hand. Plus, it cooks quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

The Convenience of Frozen Broccoli

Using frozen broccoli means you can whip up this dish at a moment’s notice, without worrying about washing, trimming, or wasting any unused portions. It also cuts down on prep time, making it an easy way to get more vegetables into your diet.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, this broccoli side dish proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, flavorful addition to your meal—

My Notes: 

1. Cooking frozen broccoli in a skillet uncovered for 3-5 minutes is perfect for firm green yet tender broccoli. 

2. This recipe is gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan.

3. I'm traveling til mid June, but I have set a few recipes set to publish automatically such as this one. 

22 comments:

  1. Very simple and I am sure it is tasty. If ever I reach the point when I am too busy, or find it bothersome, to prepare broccoli, I will, begin to question my existence!

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  2. I like broccoli ungarnished, but this does look good.

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  3. I don't know if we get frozen brocoli here as cleaned and trimmed fresh ones are readily available, and do I've never looked.
    Tandy (Lavender and Lime) https://tandysinclair.com

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  4. I'm always looking for ways to jazz up broccoli and this looks like a good one. I love these flavors!

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  5. The combo of broccoli, ginger, and tamari is a winner!

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  6. I will try the sauce. It would be a nice change! Thank you.

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  7. We LOVE it at our house. In fact, the other day I made another dairy free sauce and hubby said, "Broccoli would be really good with this."

    I agree, eating whole foods and well, doesn't have to be a fuss. Though sometimes I enjoy that side of it, making a fuss. Other times, I want quick, easy and good.

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  8. "Do you like broccoli, but don't like cleaning and cutting it? Use frozen broccoli for a no fuss, no mess experience." I had to laugh when I read this, as it describes me perfectly. Frozen broccoli is a staple in our house. Thanks for this new spin on it! 💚🥦

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  9. Looks good and I do enjoy broccoli.
    Hope you are having safe and happy travels.

    All the best Jan

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  10. We always have a few large bags of frozen broccoli in our freezer. We often enjoy it not just like a side but as a light meal, maybe along with some ham, Greek yogurt or crumbled feta. You've got a nice dressing here, need to try!

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  11. Frozen broccoli is such a great staple, and the ginger-tamari dressing adds a delicious twist 😋

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  12. I hope you are enjoying your travels. This broccoli recipe sounds wonderful!

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  13. I love the ease of using frozen broccoli in dishes, especially when time is short. I usually use it in my broccoli cheddar soup and in my fettuccine, preferred in those dishes over the fresh variety.

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  14. Love how simple and flavorful this recipe is!
    Perfect for a quick, healthy side. 😋

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  15. Do you ever use the pressure cooker? I like it on low, low, low for broccoli. Really though, I'll eat broccoli any way. I made broccoli zoodles last week. They were good too!

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  16. i don't care for cooked broccoli, but i know it is a popular vegetable for most people.....so your followers will enjoy this post. i enjoy uncooked broccoli dipped in homemade dip!!

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  17. i forgot to wish you a wonderful vacation!!

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  18. I love broccoli, and have it every week with one of my meals. It's so neat to see the ginger root. Thanks for sharing that. I have been sipping on ginger lemon tea lately.

    ~Sheri

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  19. That is weird. I thought there were comments here before. Am I missing something?

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  20. This sounds delicious and oh so simple! We eat a lot of broccoli in our house since it's one side dish all my boys eat too.

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  21. What a fantastic resource! Freezer meals are such a lifesaver for busy weeknights. I love the idea of having healthy options ready to go without all the last-minute fuss.

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Your comments are appreciated. I love knowing who is stopping by to read my posts! Have a great day.

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