You have been cooking frozen peas wrong your entire life. Peas should not be boiled! You can have flavorful, creamy peas in less than 10 minutes. Try them tonight!
The best way to cook frozen peas
The best way to cook frozen peasI hate to break it to you, but you have been cooking peas wrong your entire life. Peas should not be boiled! Using our improved method, you can have flavorful, creamy peas in less than 10 minutes. Try them tonight!
Ok, I admit, I am totally guilty of ripping open a bag of frozen peas and throwing them into a pot of boiling water 5 minutes before dinner and serving them as a side dish. I have never hated peas, but I have never loved them. They have always just been an easy side dish but they have never been anything special. Until I went to Epi’s (My favorite restaurant in Meridian, Idaho).
On Thursdays, Epi’s offers free peas as an additional side dish to any meal and people specifically go there on Thursdays JUST for the peas. Strange right? But, after trying it I understand why. Her peas, just like everything else on the menu, are amazing. Like, they are craveable. PEAS. That boring side dish that no one cares about can actually be seasoned to the point of actually being delicious.
Basic Tips for Delicious Peas
- Don’t boil! Just don’t do it. I know the package tells you to. But don’t. Trust me.
- Add a little sugar to the peas. It’s ok, it won’t taste weird and it will bring out the natural sweet flavor.
- Don’t add salt until ready to serve. Salting them too early can dehydrate them and they (obviously) won’t be as sweet. Salt them after they have cooked and you can salt to taste.
Add a Little Mint
If you want to try something different, and dare I say, “fancy,” try coarsely tearing up a few mint leaves and throwing them in with the peas while cooking. Leave the garlic and sugar out and just cook them with mint and butter. The mint infuses the peas with a fresh and delicious flavor that you are sure to love! It kicks dinner up a notch with very little effort. Try it with Easter dinner!
Some answers to common questions about peas:
What is the difference between petite peas and regular peas?
Petite peas are usually sweeter and more delicate than regular peas. Regular peas are meatier but the skin on them is a little tougher.
What is the best way to season frozen peas?
If you are using this method we laid out above of cooking frozen peas, just a little sugar, salt and pepper is all you need. If you are wanting to make the peas a little fancier try adding some mint (see notes above).
Fresh peas or frozen peas?
Believe it or not, frozen peas taste better than fresh when cooking. Why? Cook’s Illustrated has a great explanation HERE. It’s definitely worth a quick read.
Now that you know all about peas… it’s time to make them! Before you do, check out the right way to cook frozen corn, and how to cook hashbrowns. Yum!
How to Cook Frozen Peas the RIGHT way
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen green peas
- 6 tablespoons butter salted, sweet cream
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 cloves garlic fresh, crushed
- kosher sale to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine peas, butter, sugar, and garlic in a medium-sized skillet.
- Cook at medium heat until butter is melted and peas are heated through, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat, add salt and pepper. Serve.
Paul says
I take out the peas I’m going to use from the freezer just before cooking main meal in pressure cooker. When meal is cooked I add the peas to the other food in the still extremely hot water in the pressure cooker pan for a minute and I find they’re cooked just right.
Elaine says
So I had no veggies for dinner and have had these frozen peas in the freezer from making chicken pot pie, I googled best way to cook frozen peas and this was the first recipe, I made it and my boyfriend absolutely loved it! He even asked for them again the next night.
Pam says
Omgosh! Best frozen peas I’ve ever had! Loved it! Ty, ty! Followed exactly!
Dixiegirl48th says
So good. This is a game changer. I have been cooking for 40 years and had no idea! Thanks!
Alli says
Can you do it with oil instead of butter? I have a dairy free kid bc of allergies.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Sure!
V says
whoa.. I didn’t think it was possible. I bought some pea pies, they tasted like peas, I didn’t like them. not sure why I bought a bag of frozen peas after that! it’s baby peas, but still tastes like peas. out of curiosity, I Googled how to cook peas. so glad I came here. thank you!
Becky Starnes says
I have always steamed my peas and thought they were pretty good, that was until I fixed them like this! They are FABULOUS and I will never make peas any other way !!!! Thanks for sharing.
Jay Prakash says
Great and simple receipe
Ashley says
Yum!!! These sounds perfect for anytime during the year, but especially in the winter months when a fresh veggie is lacking!
Sue says
What a novel approach to making peas!
Alexandra says
This is how I will cook frozen peas from now on! Fantastic!
Chef Mireille says
I’ve actually never thought of cooking peas on their own. I usually add them to rice, pasta or soup. However, this way especially with the butter flavor would make a delicious side dish to any meal.
Denay DeGuzman says
What a fantastic frozen pea tutorial. Following your instructions, my peas turned out beautifully.
Charlotte says
Can you cook them in advance and do they stay soft when you reheat them?
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t tried cooking them in advance. I would think they would get too soft and mushy.
Sylvie says
Thank you for this recipe, what a delicious surprise!
Andrea says
this is a very interesting post!
Sandra says
I love peas, but my family does not. So I am always looking for other ways to cook them. I tried this recipe yesterday and all my family liked it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!