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
You have been cooking peas wrong your entire life. Peas should not be boiled! 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. WHY? Because her peas (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 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 more meaty but the skin on them is a little tougher.
What is the best way to season frozen peas?
If you are using this method of cooking frozen peas, just a little 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 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!
How to Cook Frozen Peas the RIGHT way
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Frozen Green Peas
- 6 Tbsp butter salted, sweet cream
- 2 tsp sugar
- 3 cloves garlic fresh, crushed
- kosher sale to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, combine peas, butter, sugar, and garlic.
- Cook until butter is melted and peas are heated through, (5-7 minutes) stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat, add salt and pepper. Serve.
Felicia says
I’m even too lazy to boil them–just stick them in a bowl with a little water and put it in the microwave. (Maybe this is why I don’t love peas!) I’m excited to try this! Have you tried it with other frozen veggies? (like corn or a mix?)
Nicole P says
I’ve done the same thing with frozen “peaches and cream” corn. Tastes amazing and I feel like by not boiling it you’re not losing some of the nutrients in the water.
Monique says
Mom has a similar recipe but adds quinoa and parsley. The buttery peas make the quinoa actually taste much better. We’ll have to try the no boil method. Oh, and don’t let the quinoa over cook. Mind your peas and Q’s.
Erica Walker says
LOL, love it! I am sure the peas with quinoa is delicious! I am guessing it almost tastes like a risotto (especially if you add a little cream…)? We will have to try that next time! Thanks for the suggestion!
Kat says
What about canned peas? Just kidding! Canned peas are super nasty ???? This really is the best way to make peas! Thanks for sharing!
Mandy says
I am from the Boise area but have never heard of Epi’s. I’ll have to look it up now! Can’t wait to try these tips.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Oh my goodness! You will love Epi’s. I have never had anything there that I haven’t liked. Book in advance because they fill up fast!
Lisa Weber says
Really tasty. I never boiled peas before, but the seasonings were a fresh idea!
Favorite Family Recipes says
So glad you liked them 😀
Rhonda says
I tried this and they are amazing, thank you.
Favorite Family Recipes says
So glad you liked them Rhonda! 😀
Ana says
Thank you! These were amazing!
Patty says
The package tells you to boil them for 5-7 minutes to kill bacteria like Listeria, which has become a problem with frozen foods. They need to be fully heated to 165 degrees. Other than that, I’m going to try the mint & butter recipe. It sounds yummy. Thanks!
Tonya G. says
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
My PEA LIFE will never be the same…I was not a big fan of peas until I tried cooking them this way. DELICIOUS!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
haha so glad we were able to take your “pea life” to a whole new level! This comment totally made my day. And I am going to start saying “pea life” now lol
Margaret says
Ummm. I’m not certain I did this right. I followed your instructions, and even cooked them for a bit longer, but my peas are still pretty hard and fibrous, not soft and supple like my kids and I are used to from boiling them. Is this normal? Was I supposed to defrost the peas first?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Hmm that is really weird! They should soften up just as much as boiling them. No defrosting needed. Did you just use typical frozen peas?
Tamars says
Hi there! Time to comment because I have used your recipe for a year now. My family never ate peas before, but now the veggie is requested weekly! ( “you’re making the good ones, right?”) thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
This comment just put a big smile on my face! Thank you so much for coming back to let us know how much your family has enjoyed this recipe!
Lynda says
I bring water to a boil, add peas when water is boiling…the water will cool somewhat because of the cold pears. wait till the water boils again then shut off stove. Peas float to the top when hot…drain and stir in butter. They taste like they were just picked.
Carolyn Kanoy says
I add vegetable or chicken bouillon to my peas and that’s all you need.
Ashley Smith says
I followed your recipe to a T. Best peas I ever ate in my life. And I’m in my forties and I love peas!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I am so glad you liked them!! Thanks for the 5-star rating!
James says
This recipe ROCKS, and all other recipe’s are just average! Simply the best peas EVER!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you so much for the 5-star rating!! We are so glad you love this recipe!
Susan Pjetraj says
Best peas ever!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thanks Susan!
Phoebe says
I’m going to try this recipe, but I have to say, add that much butter to anything and it’ll be tasty. No big secret there.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Lol yep.. it’s true! That’s a big part of why these are so tasty!
Nani Snyder says
We prefer to bake our potatoes, skin on. Cool and shred! Much more flavorful than boiled potatoes and they make the best hash browns or American fries.
Mandy says
I’d go one better and say never boil ANY vegetable. Boiling veggies just means you’re pouring half the nutrients and half the taste down the drain. Steam, roast, saute, microwave (if you just have to) but please don’t abuse our vegetable friends by boiling. The only time they should come in contact with a hot liquid is in a soup recipe, where nutrition and taste don’t go to waste.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes! I agree completely! Boiling vegetables also makes them taste so bland. Thank you for sharing!
Mackenzie says
This recipe looks good and I plan to make it. But don’t you want to sauté the garlic in the butter first? Otherwise you’re eating raw garlic and that doesn’t be sound appealing.
Erica says
You can do either way. The garlic doesn’t taste raw in the peas. It still gets some cooking time and is able to infuse the peas with flavor. Hope this helps!
Jeff says
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw that much butter for 1 lb peas.
henri says
It would be helpful to know how much fresh mint to put in and if the pan should be uncovered or covered after putting in the butter.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I just use 1-2 leaves of mint or it will be too overpowering. No need to cover the pan. Hope this helps!
Ashley says
I have never commented on a recipe I’ve tried before but I just had to with this one. BEST PEAS EVER!!! I can’t stop raving about them to my friends and family. Thank you for sharing!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
You are very very welcome! Thanks so much for the nice comment– and the 5-stars!
adina says
hi. i would love to try this recipe. Can I keep it vegan by using coconut butter instead?
Erica Walker says
You can but it will definitely give the peas a coconutty taste. You might be better off using avocado oil or any other kind of plant-based oil that doesn’t have a strong taste. Hope this helps!
David says
I just don’t know why anyone would sugar to these? They’re already sweet enough and sugar is the white devil
Favorite Family Recipes says
You can definitely leave the sugar out if you want to 🙂
Mary Jane says
Is butter salted, “sweet cream” a type of butter? Or do you also add “sweet cream”? I’m confused by this.
Erica Walker says
Yes, it is a type of butter. You don’t need to add any extra cream. Hope this helps!
Rochelle says
Thank you! This recipe is amazing!
Erica says
Thank you! So glad you liked it! Thanks for the 5-stars!
Jane Watterson says
Someone said something about listeria with frozen vegetables not being boiled.. What do you think about this! Is this something to be concerned snout?
Erica Walker says
I have never heard that before. We rarely boil any frozen vegetables. We get the frozen stir fry veggies all the time and on the packaging they recommend pan cooking them. I don’t think they would recommend it if there were any kind of health risk but ultimately the decision is yours. Hope this helps!
william.reibel says
5 star needed
Erica Walker says
Thanks for the 5-stars!