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Cooking Tips

Yes, You Can Char Frozen Vegetables

Gone are the days of limp and soggy frozen veggies. Here’s how to do it. 
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Published Oct. 24, 2022.

Yes, You Can Char Frozen Vegetables

Frozen vegetables and I have a love/hate relationship. They’re a quick, easy, and convenient vegetable option.

But they always turn out limp. And soggy.

. . .or so I thought.

Introducing: skillet-charred frozen green beans. That’s right: Frozen green beans coated in blistered char. Who knew?

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This recipe comes from our upcoming Modern Pantry cookbook. The original method comes from a Cook’s Illustrated recipe using fresh green beans.

Our talented test cooks specifically engineered it for frozen. And it really works.

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The Complete Modern Pantry

Flexibility is the core of pantry cooking–when every cook needs to improvise. The Complete Modern Pantry captures the ethos of true pantry cooking with a unique approach.

The recipe couldn’t be simpler. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a clean, dry skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add 1 pound of frozen whole green beans in a single layer and cook, without stirring, until the beans are softened and charred.

And voilà—the result is a flavor and texture I never knew could come from frozen vegetables. Consider my mind blown.

This technique works for frozen corn as well!

Frozen veggies for the charred, yummy win.

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