Easy Cooked Vegetables

Want a bright and flavorful vegetable side dish on hand to go with your weeknight dinners? Try these Easy Cooked Vegetables! They're crisp and delicious!

This vegetable blend is one of my go-to vegetable side dishes! I first tried something like it at a restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I asked the chef "What makes these veggies so delicious?" He emphatically said, "It's the butter!"

While I might not use as much butter as he did, I found that I've created the same satisfaction that our family had that night when we first tried it. The trick to delicious vegetables is NOT overcooking them! Overcooked vegetables lose their pretty colors, can become bitter and have an unappealing mouthfeel! My 5, 3, 1 steam and sauté timed steps trick works every time!

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Green Beans
• Mini Sweet Peppers
• Broccoli
• Red Cabbage
• Butter
• Garlic Salt or a Vegetable Seasoning Blend

Tools You’ll Need

• Large Skillet
• Tongs or Spoon
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife

Why You’ll like this Recipe

• The vegetables can be prepped in advance for a quick cook execution at dinner!
• It's packed full of vitamins and minerals!
• It's a beautiful side dish with any meal!
• It's full of bright and fresh flavors!

How to Make this Recipe

1. In a large skillet on high heat, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add green beans and mini sweet peppers and cover with a lid. Cook 5 minutes. 

2. Add broccoli florets, cover and cook an additional 3 minutes.

3. Add butter to the bottom of the pan. If the water has evaporated, add 1-2 tablespoons more. Add red cabbage to the veggies and desired amount of seasoning. Cover and cook 1 minute. 

4. Uncover, stir, taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve alongside a yummy entree!

Tips and Substitutions

• Many vegetables work well with this recipe. Another recipe with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor is this Sautéed Zucchini and Carrots. Onions, asparagus, mushrooms and spinach all work great as well. Not overcooking them is the key. So, the mushrooms and/or onions would be in the initial 5 minute cook step, asparagus and/or zucchini in the 3 minute cook step, and spinach in the 1 minute step.
• You can add garlic or other seasonings while sautéing the vegetables. You can even use fresh herbs like basil, parsley or oregano or add a splash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar can enhance the flavor of sautéed vegetables.

What to Serve With Easy Vegetables

These simple vegetables pair well with so many dinners! A few of our favorites are Easy Hamburger Steak and Gravy, Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, and Salmon Patties. It's also excellent with simple to prepare Stuffed Pepper Casserole, cajun flavor Baked Mahi Mahi, and tender and juicy Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Thighs.

Storage

• After the vegetables have completely cooled, store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
• It is not ideal to freeze these cooked vegetables to reheat and consume again. If you this the recipe is more than your family will eat, you can place the raw vegetables (before cooking) in a freezer safe container and have them ready to thaw and cook for another meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I reheat leftover Quick Cooked Vegetables?
  • Be careful not to overcook them. Use gentle heat and avoid microwaving for too long to maintain their texture and flavor. I find it best to reheat these in a large skillet preheated on high heat or in an air fryer.
• How do I prepare vegetables for sautéing?
  • Besides washing and drying them thoroughly, make sure to cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Can I use a different fat instead of butter?
  • High-heat oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil are ideal for sautéing vegetables due to their high smoke points.
• How do I sauté vegetables without them becoming soggy?
  • Make sure the pan is preheated properly and use high heat. Use a timer to ensure the vegetables in each step aren't overcooked.
• How do I know when the vegetables are done sautéing?
  • The vegetables should be tender-crisp, meaning they are cooked through but still retain some firmness. Taste a piece to check for your desired level of doneness.
• How do I prevent vegetables from sticking to the pan?
  • Make sure the pan is properly heated before adding the vegetables. You can also use a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet.
• Could I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
  • Yes, but they may release more moisture, so it's essential to preheat the pan properly and cook them until any excess liquid evaporates.
• Is this recipe gluten-free?
  • Yes, the ingredients I used are gluten-free. Check your chosen seasoning to ensure yours is gluten-free as well.

More Recipes Like This

• Garlic Broccoli and Mushrooms
• Crispy Green Beans
• Gremolata Green Beans
• Gremolata Asparagus