1. Frozen Peas

I love frozen peas. They thaw quickly and they add a sweet, starchy bite to dishes. Also, they are inexpensive, and they are even better than fresh peas. Fresh peas lose their sweetness quickly, but frozen peas are just as sweet as when they were first picked. You can use frozen peas in many different ways, but I love adding them to soups. If, however, you don’t love peas as much as I do, you will be happy to know there are other canned and frozen produce items that taste just as good as fresh produce.

2. Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes make life so much easier. They already have the skin removed, so you don’t have to go through the arduous process of removing it. You can use canned tomatoes for soups, stews, and sauces. When you do buy canned tomatoes, or any canned product, be sure to get BPA free cans.

3. Frozen Berries

Frozen berries are such a great deal. They are much less expensive than fresh berries, and they are available year round. Frozen berries are great for smoothies, but you can also use them to make baked berry crisps. I also love adding them to my morning oatmeal. It tastes so delicious!

4. Canned Pumpkin

Using canned pumpkin is so much easier than baking a pumpkin and pureeing the flesh. One of the great things about canned pumpkin is that there are so many different ways you can use it. You can make pumpkin smoothies, muffins, and quick breads. You can even just mix it with a little almond butter and cinnamon for a quick snack.

5. Frozen Spinach

Adding frozen spinach to soups and stews is a great way to get your greens, and it is as easy as opening a bag! No washing required. Frozen spinach is just as good as fresh spinach, and it is such a great deal, especially when you need a lot of wilted spinach. It takes quite a bit of fresh spinach to make 16 ounces of frozen wilted spinach.

6. Frozen Corn

Frozen corn is a great item to keep in your freezer. Like frozen peas, it thaws quickly, and it tastes just as sweet as fresh corn. Of course, you don’t get that corn on the cob experience, but it still tastes good. You can add frozen corn to rice pilafs, salads, soups, stews, and even pasta dishes. It will give you a great corn flavor without any of the work.

7. Frozen Mango

Mangos can be very expensive, and they are not always available. This is why frozen mangos are so great. They are always available and they don’t cost as much as fresh. Also, they are already cut! Like all frozen fruit, frozen mangos are great for smoothies, but you can also use them in baked dishes or add them to plain yogurt for more flavor.

Keeping canned and frozen fruits and vegetables stocked in your pantry and freezer will help you save time and money. They will also help you add wonderful flavor to your meals, especially if you stick to those items that are just as good as fresh. Do you use canned and frozen fruits and vegetables?