Once beautifully roasted, these florets are the perfect side dish to myriad meals!
Life moves pretty fast! If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might not realize you don’t have a vegetable side dish to go with your entrée. We could all use a break, but even on our days off, we often end up so busy we forget our greens. That’s where the frozen aisle comes in. With shorter cooking times and pre-chopped portions, frozen vegetables are the hero of any dinner in a rush.
However, one of the biggest pitfalls of the readily available vegetables in your freezer is that they are plain, often lacking any seasoning of their own. But that’s nothing five minutes of prep can’t fix. With the proper seasoning and the right cooking technique, you can imbue any frozen veg with tons of flavor.
Roasted frozen broccoli might sound like an oxymoron, but in truth, it’s the perfect last-minute addition to any dinner table. It’s as easy as tossing the ingredients in a bowl, spreading them on a sheet pan, and roasting to delicious decadence. If your oven is already hot, why not?
Is Roasted Frozen Broccoli Healthy?
While nothing compares to fresh vegetables picked at their peak, frozen vegetables are a very close second. Since frozen veg is harvested at peak ripeness and flash-frozen, most of the original nutrients are preserved. That means you get all the perks without all the chopping and cleaning.
In this recipe, the broccoli is accented with some fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Both offer vitamin C and other antioxidants. Broccoli is also rich in vitamin K, folate, and fiber. The whole dish is then tossed with a bit of olive oil, which contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
If you want to make the dish even healthier and more suited to specialty diets like Paleo or keto, you can omit the sugar. As it stands, this dish is fully vegan and gluten-free.
High Heat Is The Key
You may be afraid that your frozen veggies won’t be able to crisp up like fresh ones, but here’s the secret: You’re going to crank the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, frozen veg carries a lot of moisture, but when they’re roasted at such high heat, that moisture evaporates. It will leave your broccoli with caramelized edges and a tender center. That’s what the pinch of sugar is for, too—it’s a little tip to help enhance browning.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Frozen vegetables are easy to prepare and cook, but they tend not to keep super well. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a hot oven or air fryer with a spritz of olive oil to bring back the crispiness, but be mindful of them drying out. Microwaving can make them soggy.
Serving Suggestions
These roasted frozen broccoli florets are the perfect side dish to any entrée you’re looking to serve up! Be it a delicious Keto Steak With Garlic Butter Mushrooms or Vegan Curry, roasted frozen broccoli makes an accommodating accompaniment to any dietary dinner from keto to vegan. Broccoli, of course, is gluten-free, which makes it a perfect pair for gluten-free, high-protein meals like Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar optional
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1 small lemon halved
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place it on the lower third of the oven.
- In a large bowl, combine the frozen broccoli florets with olive oil, optional sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Toss well.
- Spread the broccoli in a single layer on the preheated baking sheet. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Bake on the lower third rack for 16 to 18 minutes, until tender and the edges are browned. For extra crispness, broil for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the broccoli. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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