This Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch recipe is a quick and easy side dish, which is made with the pre-shredded Cruciferous Crunch mix and tangy apple cider vinegar. It’s the perfect healthy side dish, a flavorful way to cook your greens in about 20 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch Ingredients
A simple list for a flavor-packed and versatile side dish.
- 1 (10-ounce) bag Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch (or other shredded cruciferous greens)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 2 slices chopped bacon (optional)
How To Make Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly fast and delicious vegetable side.
- Prep and Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil. If you are using bacon, add it now and let it cook for 1-2 minutes to start rendering. Add the crushed garlic cloves and sauté for a few minutes until just golden.
- Sear the Greens: Remove the garlic and bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the entire bag of Cruciferous Crunch to the hot pan and spread it out.
- Char and Season: Let the greens cook without stirring for 5-8 minutes. This allows the bottom to get nicely browned and almost charred in places, which adds a huge amount of flavor. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using.
- Finish the Dish: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cooked garlic and bacon back into the pan. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring, to allow the flavors to combine and the greens to soften slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
For the most delicious, perfectly cooked cruciferous greens.
- How to get the best flavor? The most important step is to not stir the greens right away! Letting them sit in the hot pan allows them to make direct contact with the skillet and develop a delicious, sweet, and nutty char, which is much tastier than simply steaming or wilting them.
- What is in Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch? It’s a pre-packaged, shredded blend of kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green cabbage, and red cabbage. It’s a fantastic and convenient shortcut for a healthy side dish.
- Can I make this ahead of time? This dish is best served fresh to enjoy the contrast of tender and crispy textures. If you have leftovers, they will be softer but still delicious.
- How can I customize this recipe? This is a great base recipe. You could add some toasted nuts or seeds for crunch, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese at the end, or a drizzle of honey to balance the vinegar.
What To Serve With Cruciferous Crunch
Perfect pairings for this versatile and healthy side.
This delicious and healthy side dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with:
- Simple roast chicken or pan-seared fish like salmon
- Grilled steak or pork chops
- As a hearty base for a grain bowl, topped with a fried egg
- Mixed with a can of chickpeas for a simple vegetarian main
How To Store Cruciferous Crunch
Keeping your delicious leftovers fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Gently rewarm the greens in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.
Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 168kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 14g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, easily! As the recipe notes, to make this vegan, simply omit the optional bacon and substitute the butter with an additional tablespoon of olive oil.
Yes. Any mixture of thinly sliced cruciferous vegetables would be great. You can use just shredded cabbage, a coleslaw mix, or even hearty greens like Swiss chard, though the cooking time may vary.
No, the optional chili flakes provide just a very gentle background warmth. You can omit them for a completely mild version or add more if you like a spicy kick.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancake Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Pancake Bread Recipe
Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes15
minutes168
kcalAn incredibly quick, easy, and healthy side dish that transforms a bag of Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch into a savory, garlicky, and slightly charred vegetable sauté with a tangy apple cider vinegar finish.
Ingredients
1 (10-ounce) bag Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Optional: 2 slices chopped bacon, ¼ tsp chili flakes
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil. If using bacon, add it and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the crushed garlic and sauté until just golden, then remove the garlic and bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the Cruciferous Crunch to the hot pan and spread it out. Season with salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes.
- Cook, without stirring, for 5-8 minutes, until the bottom is nicely browned and charred in spots.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the garlic and bacon back to the pan.
- Pour in the apple cider vinegar and cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring, until the greens have softened slightly. Serve hot.
Notes
- The key to great flavor is to let the greens sear in the hot pan without moving them to develop a nice char.
- Using a pre-shredded bag of greens like the one from Trader Joe’s makes this an incredibly fast weeknight side dish.
- For a vegan version, simply omit the bacon and use olive oil instead of butter.
- This is a great base recipe—feel free to add other seasonings or a sprinkle of cheese.
