Panda Express Mixed Vegetables is a lightly steamed mix of broccoli, zucchini, carrots, string beans and cabbage. This quick and easy vegetable side dish is a wonderful choice to serve with any of my homemade Panda Express entrees!
Panda Express Mixed Vegetables Recipe {Easy Mixed Veggies Copycat}
My Panda Express mixed veggies are extremely easy to make, and are a great side to pair with so many of the copycat dishes available here on the blog! They're a light and healthy side dish, which is great plus when you're making up some tasty Beijing Beef or Orange Chicken!
I've included two methods of preparation below: the super easy steamed vegetables method, and the reportedly closer-to-panda method of boiling the vegetables briefly before tossing them in the wok. Both are super easy and quick, but the steamed method is more hands free to prepare the rest of your meal ( and keep your wok free for entrees ).
How To Make Panda Express Mixed Veggies
To start your mixed vegetables, wash and slice the veggies so that your slices are about the same size. This helps them to all cook evenly throughout.
For the steamed veggies method, start a large pot with the chicken stock and steamer basket over medium high heat. I prefer to use a cube of Knorr brand chicken bouillon or Better Than Bouillon for a better taste than the carton or jarred chicken broth or chicken stock.
Bring the chicken broth to a low rolling boil, then add the prepared vegetables into the steamer basket. Cover and steam for 5 minutes. The vegetables should be tender enough to fork, but if steamed too long they will get mushy and fall apart!
Remove the steamer basket when the mixed vegetables are done, and serve immediately. Season to taste with soy sauce, salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds when serving.
For the wok fried Panda Express mixed vegetables method, bring a pot large enough to hold your vegetables to a low rolling boil. Add the prepared vegetables and boil for 1 minute, then remove from the boiling water with a strainer.
When you start the vegetables to boil, heat a wok ( or large skillet or non-stick frying pan ) over high heat with about a tablespoon of cooking oil. Add minced or crushed garlic and ginger, if desired, and cook for about 1 minute. The optional garlic and/or ginger should just begin to get fragrant when you add the strained vegetables into the wok.
Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper and wok fry the boiled vegetables for about 2 - 3 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with optional sesame seeds, if desired.
There are so many easy, delicious Panda Express recipes to serve these mixed vegetables with! Check out my Panda Express Recipes index page to see every Panda Express copycat recipe here on the blog!
📖 Recipe Card
Panda Express Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth (or use bouillon, which is my preferred method)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 medium zucchini (sliced in half lengthwise, then cut into half moon slices between ¼ - ½ inch thick)
- 1 large carrot (peeled and cut into ½ inch slices)
- ½ lb string beans (washed and trimmed - about 1 ½ cups)
- ¼ medium cabbage (washed and trimmed of outer leaves - cut into roughly 2 inch chunks - about 2 cups)
- each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- soy sauce (optional, to taste)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
Steamed Vegetables Method
- Bring a large pot (that fits your steamer basket) with the steamer basket in place and the chicken broth or water with bouillon to a low boil over medium high heat.
- Add prepared vegetables, cover and reduce heat. Steam the vegetables for 5 minutes.
- Remove the steamer basket and serve immediately. Season to taste and garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.
Wok Fried Vegetables Method
- Heat a large stock pot with water and bring to a low boil over medium high heat. Add prepared vegetables and boil for 1 minute.
- Use a strainer and transfer the boiled vegetables to a wok with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil that has been heated over high heat (you can add some minced garlic and ginger, if desired). Wok briefly, season with soy sauce, salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with optional sesame seeds, if desired.
Vic says
Sooooo delicious! I added a few teaspoons of sesame sauce and yummmm!