Mixed Super Greens Copycat Recipe

ByBrooke Burks Published: Modified:
2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. We earn income via ads and use cookies. See our Privacy Policy at the bottom of this page.

Jump to Recipe

Our mixed super greens is a copycat recipe for the popular side dish from Panda Express. Cabbage, kale and broccoli are sautéed in garlic and ginger and steamed to perfection with beef broth.

A bowl of cooked greens is placed on a wooden surface. The bowl contains a mixture of leafy greens, potentially including kale, collard greens, and cabbage. Beside the bowl is a pot filled with more of the cooked greens. A spoon rests in the bowl.

When it comes to getting our VEGETABLES in a tasty way, the list for those recipes are fairly short. Over the years of trying to be more health conscious, I have found a few convenience foods that are good for me.

This love of the super greens at Panda Express led me to develop my own copycat recipe. We skip the butter and cornstarch in our version making it easier and a bit healthier.

Southern food is famous for taking GREENS and making them delicious. While not always the healthiest option though, you can still make good choices and splurge a bit on the traditional Southern fare on special occasions. Life is all about balance.

Ingredients

We pay homage to the original by using cabbage, kale and broccoli in our recipe as well but do change things up a bit. Still the same great flavor only better because we made it at home!

A bowl of cooked greens, including kale and cabbage, is placed on a wooden surface. A spoon is resting in the bowl. There is also a larger metallic bowl filled with more of the greens in the background.

What You’ll Need

  • Avocado oil – our healthy fat in place of butter, adding no flavor, just good, clean fats. We use it here to avoid the tendency to burn the garlic and ginger that usually happens easily with butter.
  • Broccoli – you can use fresh florets here but for ease and storage, we use the frozen streamable bag cooked according to package directions. Cool and drained.
  • Beef broth – adds flavor and depth to the dish. It almost adds the buttery flavor we don’t get from the avocado oil. We recommend low sodium.
  • Green cabbage – higher in antioxidants than its red cousin, we get all of the health benefits and add to the green in the greens of this recipes namesake.
  • Fresh, minced garlic – and lots of it!
  • Kale – we like the curly kale for this one. Dark and leafy and makes a nice textured dish.
  • Soy sauce – for a bit of a salty flavor with asian notes that bring out the sweetness of the greens. We also recommend low sodium here.
  • Fresh, minced ginger – for a sweet, yet peppery flavor that adds so much to the recipe.
  • Parmesan cheese – for garnish.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Fresh veggies tossed in garlic and ginger steamed in beef broccoli. That is it. Packed with so much flavor you won’t believe it. And in less than 20 minutes too. Easy and super delicious mixed super greens.

A person is seen pouring liquid from a small measuring cup into a white oval pot on a stovetop. Nearby, a cutting board holds a knife, a grater, and three small bowls containing minced ingredients. A red pot is also visible on the stove. The person wears a smartwatch.

Heat avocado oil to a large dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Top-down view of a kitchen counter. A person's hand is adding minced garlic from a small bowl into a white pot on a stove. Nearby, there is a cutting board with some chopped ginger, a knife, a spoon, and a grater. A red pot sits on another burner.

Add in fresh minced garlic and stir.

A person wearing a smartwatch is adding minced garlic from a small bowl into a white, oval-shaped Dutch oven placed on a stove. There are other bowls, a knife, and a wooden cutting board on the countertop beside the stove.

Stir in fresh, minced ginger. Cook, stirring well for 15 to 30 seconds.

A person is adding kale from a glass bowl into a white pot on a stove. To the right, a wooden cutting board shows chopped garlic, an avocado in a jar, a knife, and a food grater. A red pot sits to the left on another burner.

Toss in chopped kale, covering with oil and spice mixture.

A person is preparing a meal on a stovetop. They are adding sliced cabbage to a pot already filled with leafy greens. The kitchen counter has a cutting board with minced garlic and a knife, and there's a red pot nearby.

Place the green cabbage in with the kale and toss to coat as well.

Overhead view of a kitchen scene. A person is adding a bag of chopped green vegetables into a white cooking pot on a stove. Nearby are chopped ingredients, a knife, a spatula, a grater, and a blender on a wooden cutting board. A red pot is on the stove.

Add in prepared broccoli florets and toss to combine and coat.

Overhead view of a person pouring liquid into a pot containing chopped vegetables on a stove. A wooden cutting board with knives, chopped garlic, a grater, and an empty measuring cup are placed beside the stove. A red pot is on the left burner.

Pour in 1 cup of beef broth, mixing well.

A person is pouring a dark liquid, likely oil, into a pot filled with leafy greens and chopped vegetables on a stovetop. Nearby, various kitchen utensils and chopped garlic rest on a wooden cutting board. A red pot sits next to the stove burner.

Drizzle soy sauce evenly throughout. Mix well with tongs if need be.

Person in a green top stands in a kitchen, placing a lid on a white pot on a stove. A red pot sits next to it. A cutting board with a knife, chopped garlic, and seasonings is on the counter nearby. A green towel hangs from a drawer.

Allow to come to a soft boil. Reduce the heat to low to medium, cover with a lid and allow to steam/simmer for 15 minutes. Serve garnished with parmesan cheese.

A bowl of cooked leafy green vegetables, including cabbage, placed on a wooden surface with a fork in the bowl. A larger white pot in the background contains more of the same cooked vegetables.
A person wearing a white chef's hat and gray shirt is smiling and holding two wooden spoons. They are leaning forward over a white table next to a silver laptop displaying the Apple logo. The background is plain white.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

Logo for "The Buttered Home" featuring a butter churn in the center enclosed by a circular design. The text "EST 2018" is on either side of the churn. Below the circle, the text reads "THE BUTTERED HOME" with the tagline "home cooking made easy" underneath.

Coming in at 3 net carbs and 60 calories, what is not to love? Dark, leafy greens are good for us on a mineral level as well. But to have all of that AND be delicious and filling are reasons enough to love this recipe. And you don’t have to go out to get some, make it right at home!

Substitutions

  • Oil – using another oil like olive oil can help change a bit of the flavor here and add a different touch.
  • Soy sauce – oyster sauce can add a smoky flavor that is so good. Feel free to even substitute normal soy sauce with low sodium or gluten-free soy sauce for more health benefits.
  • Broth – use vegetable or even chicken broths to create different flavors. The greens soak up so much from the broth, it can taste different every time.

Variations

This is a good basic recipe. Here are a few ideas on how to make it something different but just as good!

Want to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

  • Spicy – add chili pepper flakes while cooking to add heat to the dish, or even cayenne pepper.
  • Garnish – we love the saltiness of the parm but think asian fare and add sesame seeds, rice vinegar and a bit of sesame oil for an Asian flair.
  • Vegetarian – swap the beef broth with vegetable broth and make it fit for any dietary need.

Equipment

🔧 I love to share recipes that are no special equipment required but here are a few things that would definitely make this recipe easier!

Storage

After coming to room temperature, this can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week. Reheat over low heat.

Once cooled, this can be placed in a freezer safe container and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat on the stove top.

⭐ LOVE THIS RECIPE? It would mean so very much to me if you would take a moment to rate this recipe and leave me a sweet comment in the recipe card below! ❤️❤️We hope you love all of the Southern and healthy recipes we share here at The Buttered Home and would love to see you back here often!

A bowl of cooked collard greens with a spoon placed beside a larger pot containing more of the same dish. The greens are wilted and mixed, sitting on a wooden surface. The smaller bowl has a decorative pattern on its rim.

Mixed Super Greens, Copycat Recipe

Our mixed super greens is a delicious panda express copycat recipe for a nutritious and really tasty way to get your vegetables. Perfect for meal prep for healthy eating, this delicious side dish will have you going back for more.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Serving Size 8

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons garlic fresh minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger fresh minced
  • 4 cups kale chopped
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 4 cups cabbage chopped
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese grated

Want to save this recipe?

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Instructions

  • Blanch broccoli or cook according to package directions if using frozen, drain and cool.
    2 cups broccoli florets
  • Add oil to a large dutch oven over medium heat. Mix garlic and ginger in with the oil and cook until fragrant, 15 to 30 seconds. Add kale and cabbage, stirring to combine and toss in oil and spices.
    2 tablespoons avocado oil, 2 tablespoons garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, 4 cups kale, 4 cups cabbage
  • Mix in broccoli, beef broth and soy sauce, stir well. Bring to a soft boil over medium high heat. Lower heat to simmer and cover. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. Garnish with parmesan cheese to serve.
    1 cup beef broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

See How To Make It!

🍴 PRO TIP!

This recipe is a great one to add a protein to for a complete meal. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the deli and add it right in for a delicious one pot meal for the whole family!

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

Are super greens good for you?

Yes, with so many health benefits, vitamins and minerals, they fit into a heart healthy diet. 3 net carbs and 60 calories per serving good for you!

What are super greens?

The vegetables that fit into this category are, broccoli, kale, green cabbage, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard, asparagus, bok choy, and beet greens.

Can you make this ahead of time?

It really is better made fresh before eating. However, you can prep all of the greens ahead of time and store them in an airtight container to help speed up the process once you are ready to cook.

🍽️ SERVING SUGGESTIONS. What goes great with this recipe? Let me tell you!

These are my favorite dishes to serve with mixed super greens:

Blueberry Glazed Pork Loin sliced and arranged on a cutting board with sliced lemons and garnish.

Blueberry Glazed Pork Loin

A plate with a slice of pecan pie topped with whole pecans and a rich caramel-like sauce. A fork rests on the plate, and the remaining pecan pie is visible in a baking dish in the background. The table surface is wooden.

Praline Chicken

A plate holds a serving of cooked chicken wrapped in bacon, resting next to a fork. The dish appears cheesy and seasoned, with an additional portion visible on a serving plate in the background. The food is placed on a wooden surface.

Bacon Cheddar Chicken

If you make this recipe, be sure and post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag us. We love pictures of food.

Also, if you pin this recipe, we would appreciate that when you make it, you use the Made It function in Pinterest too. 

And don’t forget to subscribe to our YOUTUBE channel for some great tutorial videos!

Brooke signature

Reader Review

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

“I loved the freezer tips and made a double batch so we could enjoy some next week. This easy delicious recipe is a keeper.”

– Karen

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

More Recipes to Love

5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments