[[{“value”:”Frozen vegetables can sometimes get a bad rap, but they’re quick, convenient and can retain much of their nutritional value. They also last significantly longer than fresh produce, which can help reduce food waste, and they’re often a budget-friendly way to add more vegetables to your meals. In fact, there are a few frozen veggies that chefs regularly keep stocked in their own kitchens. From weeknight staples to surprisingly versatile picks, these are the frozen vegetables worth making room for in your freezer, according to chefs Eat This, Not That! spoke with.
Kirkland Signature Stir Fry Vegetables
For an easy shortcut to stir-fries, fried rice, and other quick meals, Judith Naranjo, head chef at Protein Chefs and a Red Seal certified chef, turns to Costco’s Kirkland Signature Stir Fry brand. “They are perfect for a lazy but healthy Asian stir-fry, to add to a Thai curry or even to comfort food like a noodle or ramen dish,” she says. “I like the different colors too, especially with the yellow carrots, red bell peppers, and sugar snap peas. Finally, I love that they don’t skimp on the crunchy water chestnuts!”
Stahlbush Island Farms
For busy cooks, having a reliable bag of frozen vegetables in the freezer can make all the difference. Stahlbush Island Farms is one brand worth reaching for when you want an easy way to add vegetables to a meal. For frozen peas and chopped spinach, it’s the brand Marissa Stevens, home chef, founder, and recipe developer at Pinch and Swirl, turns to. “I don’t think you can match the quality with any other brand I know of,” she says. “The company farms sustainably and focuses on soil health, and they freeze their produce quickly, so I feel like I’m getting the most nutritious version I can.”
Birds Eye
Birds Eye is a familiar name people trust because there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, plus it’s affordable. It’s the brand Christine Pittman, home chef, founder and CEO at COOKtheStory, TheCookful, and COOKforTWO, always keeps on hand. “I try other brands and without even realizing it I go back to Birds Eye,” she says. There’s a lot of different varieties for sure, and I find that it’s never frozen in a clump.”
Kirkland Signature Organic Broccoli Florets
Another Costco item Chef Judith loves is Kirkland Signature Organic Broccoli Florets because they’re the perfect size for any type of dish, or as a side.”They save a lot of preparation time and wastage by removing the hassle of washing and chopping broccoli,” she says. “They last far longer in the freezer, often months, making it more convenient and economical than fresh broccoli.” Chef Judith adds, “Although I like using broccoli stalks in my cooking, especially in broths, these florets come with similar health benefits and are far easier to toss into any dish so you actually end up eating more broccoli more often.”
Woodstock Organic Super Sweet Cut Corn
Praised for its texture and natural sweetness, Woodstock Organic Super Sweet Cut Corn is picked at the peak of its ripeness, washed and frozen to maintain high nutritional value and flavor. It’s a favorite for Rania Batayneh, MPH, home chef, recipe developer, nutritionist and author of the bestselling book, The One One One Diet: The Simple 1:1:1 Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss.
“Woodstock Organic Super Sweet Cut Corn is a versatile freezer staple made with just one ingredient: organic supersweet corn,” she points out. “USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, it’s picked at peak freshness and quickly frozen to preserve its naturally sweet flavor and crisp texture.”
Batayneh says, “It’s an easy way to add color, texture and a touch of sweetness to salads, soups, chilis, chowders and casseroles. Sauté it with olive oil and finish with lime juice and fresh herbs for a quick side dish.” She adds, “Having a bag in the freezer makes it easy to use just what you need and save the rest for another meal.”
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