Panda Express Super Greens Recipe: One-Pan Copycat

Panda Express Super Greens are a quick-cooked mix of broccoli, kale, and cabbage in a light garlic-soy sauce. This copycat recipe uses a 5:4:3 cabbage-kale-broccoli ratio, cooks in one pan in about 5 minutes, and finishes with a garlic-sesame drizzle that mimics the restaurant’s signature flavor without deep-frying or heavy oil.

What’s Actually in Panda’s Super Greens? (The 3-Veg Blend Ratio)

Panda Express Super Greens use a mix of broccoli, kale, and green cabbage, steamed just long enough to stay crisp. Most copycat recipes settle on a ratio of roughly 5 parts cabbage, 4 parts kale, and 3 parts broccoli  cabbage forms the bulk of the dish, kale adds texture and color, and broccoli brings a firmer bite.

Here’s how the ratio breaks down for a typical batch:

This isn’t an official Panda Express ratio  the company hasn’t published its exact recipe  but it’s the combination that most closely matches what’s served in stores.

Copycat Super Greens Ingredients

To make this copycat Super Greens recipe at home, you’ll need:

• Broccoli florets  fresh, not frozen, for the best texture
• Kale  stems removed, roughly chopped
• Green cabbage  shredded or roughly chopped
• Garlic  fresh, minced
• Soy sauce  regular, low-sodium, or tamari for gluten-free
• Sesame oil  just a drizzle, added at the end for aroma
• Neutral oil  a small amount for the pan (avocado or vegetable oil work well)
• Water  a few tablespoons, for steaming

This ingredient list keeps the dish close to what you’d expect at Panda Express while staying flexible enough to adjust for different diets.

Panda Greens Recipe: Step-by-Step (One Pan, 5 Minutes)

1. Heat the pan. Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a small amount of neutral oil.
2. Sauté the garlic. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant  don’t let it brown.
3. Add the vegetables in order. Broccoli goes in first since it takes longest to soften, followed by cabbage, then kale on top.
4. Add soy sauce and water. Pour in the soy sauce and a few tablespoons of water, then cover the pan.
5. Steam briefly. Let the vegetables steam for 2–3 minutes, until the broccoli is bright green and just tender but still has bite.
6. Finish with sesame oil. Remove the lid, drizzle with sesame oil, and toss everything together before serving.

The entire process takes about 5 minutes of active cooking once your vegetables are chopped, making this a genuinely fast weeknight side.

How to Make Panda Super Greens Taste Restaurant-Accurate

Getting the ratio right is only half the job  technique matters just as much. Add the vegetables in stages (broccoli first, leafy greens last) so nothing overcooks, keep the heat high enough to sear slightly before steaming, and don’t skip the finishing drizzle of sesame oil, which adds the aromatic note that distinguishes this dish from plain steamed vegetables.

Nutrition: How Does Homemade Compare to Panda’s 90-Calorie Serving?

Panda Express lists its Super Greens side at 90 calories per 7-ounce serving, according to CalorieKing, with 3g fat, 260mg sodium, 10g total carbs, 5g fiber, and 6g protein. Separately, Panda’s own nutrition page lists a 3.5-ounce portion at 45 calories  roughly consistent on a per-ounce basis, but worth noting since the numbers can look contradictory at first glance. Because Panda Express updates its nutrition calculator periodically, it’s worth double-checking current figures directly on their site before relying on them for strict tracking.

Homemade versions vary significantly based on how much oil you use. For reference:

The takeaway: oil quantity is the single biggest factor separating a close copycat from a heavier side dish. Keeping oil to a light coating, rather than a generous pour, is the easiest way to stay near Panda’s published calorie count.

Why Panda’s Super Greens Taste Different From Plain Steamed Broccoli

Plain steamed broccoli tastes exactly like what it is  water and vegetable. Panda’s version tastes different because of three specific techniques: a quick garlic sauté before steaming, a splash of soy sauce that seasons the vegetables as they cook, and a finishing drizzle of sesame oil that adds aroma without weighing the dish down. Some home cooks who’ve found copycat versions “bland” skipped one of these three steps  usually the finishing drizzle, which is easy to overlook but does a lot of the flavor work.

Variations: Chicken, Low-Sodium, and Keto Adjustments

Add chicken. Toss in diced, pre-cooked chicken breast during the last minute of cooking for a complete one-pan meal.

Go low-sodium. Panda’s version contains 260mg of sodium per serving, according to CalorieKing. To go lower, use reduced-sodium soy sauce, cut the quantity slightly, and finish with a squeeze of lemon or a splash of rice vinegar to keep the flavor balanced.

Make it keto. Cabbage, kale, and broccoli are all naturally low-carb. To tighten the carb count further, reduce the cabbage slightly, increase the broccoli, and swap soy sauce for coconut aminos.

Keep it gluten-free. Use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce  standard soy sauce contains wheat, and Panda Express’s version is not labeled gluten-free.

Pair It With: Orange Chicken, Kung Pao, and Teriyaki

Super Greens work best as a counterbalance to richer entrées. Pair this side with a homemade orange chicken recipe for a sweet-savory combination, a kung pao chicken recipe if you want heat and crunch, or a teriyaki chicken recipe for a milder, glaze-forward meal. The greens’ light garlic-soy flavor doesn’t compete with bolder sauces, which is part of why the combination works so well on a Panda Express plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Fresh broccoli holds its texture and color better during the quick steam. Frozen broccoli releases more water and can turn mushy, so if you only have frozen on hand, reduce the added water and shorten the steaming time.

What’s the best substitute for kale?
Collard greens are the closest match in texture and taste. Baby bok choy, napa cabbage, or Savoy cabbage also work well if you want a milder flavor.

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can chop the vegetables up to two days ahead and store them in an airtight container. For best texture, cook the dish fresh rather than reheating, since the vegetables soften further on reheat.

How many calories are in a serving of Panda’s Super Greens?
According to CalorieKing, a 7-ounce side order contains 90 calories, 3g fat, and 6g protein.

Is Panda Express Super Greens gluten-free?
No. Panda Express’s version is not labeled gluten-free. A homemade version can be made gluten-free by using tamari instead of regular soy sauce.

How much sodium is in one serving?
CalorieKing lists 260mg of sodium per 7-ounce serving  about 11% of the daily recommended value.

Is this dish vegan?
Yes, when made without chicken broth or butter. Use vegetable oil and soy sauce or tamari to keep it fully plant-based.

How long does leftover Super Greens stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, leftovers stay fresh for 3–4 days.

Can I freeze the raw vegetable mix?
Yes. Chopped broccoli, kale, and cabbage can be frozen in pre-portioned bags for a few months, though texture will be softer once cooked.

How many net carbs are in a serving?
Based on CalorieKing’s figures of 10g total carbs and 5g fiber per 7-ounce side, the dish comes to roughly 5g net carbs per serving.