Can't wait for the farmer's market to open? We hear you! Thanks to the tempting recipes we found that call for frozen fruits and veggies, you don't have to. All you need to do is open your freezer and pull out the produce!
Rather than relegate those frozen bags to a lackluster side or a same-old, same-old smoothie, really make your fruits and veggies count by showcasing them in one of these dishes.
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If you're pressed for time or just don't feel like running back to the store again, these recipes will really save the day.
What's your favorite thing to make with frozen fruits or veggies?
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Green Pea Hummus
Sue Moran, founder of The View From Great Island, explains why frozen veggies make this Green Pea Hummus such a hit.
"Frozen are easier, they taste better, and are just as healthy, if not more so. Peas lose their nutrients quickly, and the ones you see in supermarkets have been languishing in trucks and on shelves too long. Unless you can nab fresh peas from a garden or a farmer’s market, stick with frozen for this," she says.
Broccoli Cheese Patties
Mary Ellen of Recipes, Food & Cooking says this recipe for Broccoli-Cheese Patties is one of her most popular. Onions, garlic, sharp cheddar, and parmesan give these green veggie cakes loads of flavor. They're baked rather than fried, making them even healthier.
Easy Veggie Pot Pie
Bagged frozen peas and carrots make this Vegetable Pot Pie a snap to put together. Jaime, founder of Mom's Test Kitchen, says you can have this pie ready and on the table in under an hour. Sweet! (And savory!)
Pearl Onions, Peas, & Bacon
Becky of Two Bite Club likes to have fresh veggies on hand but when she runs out, she turns to her trusty freezer to make this Pearl Onions, Peas, & Bacon side dish her family loves.
"I decided to combine the pearl onions and peas and then dress them up with some bacon," she says. "The smoky paprika and the sweet brown sugar transformed the ordinary veggies into something special. The whole family scarfed them down!"
Tater Tot Casserole
If you haven't introduced your kids to the classic Tater Tot Casserole, they're in for a treat! This easy-to-prepare dinner, shared by Mel of Adventures of Mel, calls for only four ingredients, making it the perfect dish for busy weeknights.
Quinoa Veggie Rice
Frozen peas and corn go into this yummy quinoa veggie fried rice, from Damn Delicious. So don't be afraid to put down that take-out menu and whip up this protein-packed dish in a flash.
Raspberry Sauce
This Raspberry Sauce calls for just four ingredients, but it looks and tastes much richer and fancier. Your friends will think you spent all day crafting it. Little do they know, it can be made with frozen raspberries.
"Raspberry sauce is quick, easy and the perfect addition to so many dishes. It looks so pretty drizzled over a slice of cheesecake or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Every time I eat it, I start dreaming of a bright and sunny summer day," says Ashley of Spoon Full of Flavor who shared her recipe.
Raspberry Turnovers
Can't wait for the fresh berries of summer to whip up a batch of tasty Raspberry Turnovers? You don't have to thanks to this recipe from Heather of Heather's French Press, which calls for frozen berries. Using puff pastry sheets cuts down on your prep time so you'll be enjoying these yummy treats before you know it!
