Panda Express Super Greens (Copycat Recipe)
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 7, 2025 
Panda Express Super Greens Copycat Recipe – A light and zesty blend of broccoli, kale, and cabbage kissed with sauce, just like Panda Express makes it! Better yet, our version is gluten-free and keto.
Why We Love This Copycat Panda Express Super Greens Recipe
As far as Chinese food goes, one of our go-to fast food take-out meals is Panda Express! I love the black pepper chicken and Beijing beef, but I know that to have a balanced meal, I need some veggies as well.
One of the best and healthiest sides Panda Express has to offer is their veggie-packed Super Greens! This copycat Super Greens Panda Express Recipe seeks to replicate the crunchy, savory greens that Panda Express offers.
Making super greens at home is super easy, and I turned to a steaming method that will keep the fat and calories on the down-low! The sauce here is a simple blend of garlic, soy sauce, and butter. It adds a lot of flavor and aroma to the vegetables!
Personally, I love the simplicity of this dish. It’s nothing fancy, but it tastes great and is good for you!
What Are Super Greens?
We’re not talking about powdered supplements or vitamin drinks. No, Panda Express has its own version of super greens, a quick-cooked vegetable dish served as a healthy side dish with stir-fries. This recipe is a simple blend of kale, cabbage, and broccoli tossed in a light garlic sauce. The vegetables are just partially steamed to retain their bright color and crisp texture. That means, they take very little time to cook and are much healthier than fully cooked vegetables.
Ingredients You Need
- Kale – roughly chopped into large bite-size pieces
- Broccoli – cut into florets, use fresh broccoli, not frozen
- Green cabbage – roughly chopped or you could use napa cabbage
- Butter – or avocado oil for a paleo version
- Soy sauce – I use gluten-free soy sauce or use coconut aminos for paleo
- Garlic – use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor
- Ground ginger – a little goes a long way
- Crushed red pepper – use a little or a lot
How To Make Copycat Super Greens (Panda Express Recipe)
- Place a large sauté pan (with a lid) over medium-high heat. Add the butter, garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper. Once the butter melts, sauté the garlic for 1 minute, then add in the soy sauce and water.
- Add the broccoli first, then the cabbage and the kale on top. Cover the sauté pan and steam vegetables for 3-4 minutes. The broccoli should still be firm, not soft in the middle.
- Toss the vegetables in the sauce. Serve warm and enjoy!
Get the Full (Printable) Panda Express Super Greens Recipe + Video Below!
Serving Suggestions
Super Greens from Panda Express are a wonderful, nutrient-packed side dish to serve with a variety of different main dishes! You can serve it with some of my other favorite Panda Express dishes like Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken, Panda Express Orange Chicken, Panda Express Bourbon Chicken, Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, or Panda Express Beijing Beef! It goes well with other Asian-inspired recipes, too. Try it with some of these take-out ideas!
Frequently Asked Questions
This version of Super Greens is gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free soy sauce! Keep in mind that the super greens sold at Panda Express are not gluten-free, and at the moment no items at Panda Express are gluten-free. That is why this copycat recipe is great to make at home!
Yes! This copycat Panda Express super greens recipe is vegetarian. To make your panda express super greens vegan, simply use vegan butter or avocado oil in place of the butter.
You can store leftover greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This makes a wonderful meal prep idea to make ahead of time and serve with steamed rice and a simple protein!
Looking for More Healthy Side Dish Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
- Baked Zucchini Chips
- Perfect Baked Plantain Chips
- Roasted Root Vegetables with Miso Glaze
- Perfect Southern Collard Greens
- Crispy Restaurant-Style Brussels Sprouts
- Oven Roasted Herb Potato and Carrots
- Chinese Hot Pot with Bok Choy
- Best Creamed Spinach
Get the Full (Printable) Panda Express Super Greens Recipe + Video Below!
Panda Express Super Greens (Copycat Recipe)
Video
Ingredients
- 6 cups roughly chopped kale, lightly packed
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cups roughly chopped green cabbage
- 2 tablespoons butter (avocado oil for paleo)
- 2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce (coconut aminos for paleo)
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 6 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place a large saute pan (with a lid) over medium-high heat. Add the butter, garlic, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper. Once the butter melts saute the garlic for 1 minute, then add in the soy sauce and water.
- Add the broccoli first, then the cabbage and the kale on top. Cover the saute pan and steam the vegetables for 3-4 minutes. The broccoli should still be firm, not soft in the middle.
- Toss the vegetables to coat in sauce. Serve warm.
I think the only thing missing from this is vinegar. Sub it out for water….gives it the perfect tang!
Healthy & super tasty!! It’s the best way to enjoy your greens!! I love adding some protein too!
This is one of my favorite things to get at Panda and now I prefer making it at home!! So awesome, thank you!
Thanks for sharing this! I was looking for healthier recipes to make and this was perfect! It was so delicious and tasted just Panda Express
thank you, have not had this at the restaurant, but it’s a lot more tasty than my daily dose of raw broccoli, will try with avo oil as a butter substitute or even ghee, love the ingredients!
I made this and it came out so delicious, just like panda! Only difference is that I added onion.
Onions sound like a great addition. I have even though about a few thinly sliced carrots.
Great recipe can’t wait to make it! FYI, my friend has Celiac and can’t have gluten and we eat at Panda Express all the time. She gets the Teriyaki chicken breast chopped up with white rice or super greens and never had any issues. She can’t eat anything else from there though.
This is the best copycat recipe I’ve ever run across! Amazing flavor and so simple and quick. One piece of advice, I four you like your veggies very crisp, go 2.5 to 3 minutes max, 4 minutes for more tender. I added carrots sliced diagonally, each piece about 1/4 inch thick. Panda Express is my favorite quick option so I’ll be making this in large batches to eat throughout the week. Can’t wait to try the Black Pepper Chicken!!! Thanks for the great recipe!
Maybe I did something wrong but mine do not taste like – or as good as – Panda Express.☹
Sooooo good!!!! Fast and easy to make!! Thank you for sharing!
I really loved these greens but now I’m avoiding Panda for weight loss – but can you tell me what kind of kale to use? Thanks for a copy cat recipe!
Hi Jennifer!
Really, any type of kale will do, but we used standard curly kale. :)
Hello there. I’ve used this recipe a few times already and it’s always a success. Thx for sharing. :)