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
1. Don’t BOIL! Just don’t do it. I know the package tells you to. But don’t. Trust me.
2. Add a little sugar to the peas. It’s ok, it won’t taste weird and it will bring out the natural sweet flavor.
3. 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
November 16, 2017 at 5:50 amI’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
March 14, 2019 at 1:42 amI’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.
Kat says
November 16, 2017 at 3:10 pmWhat about canned peas? Just kidding! Canned peas are super nasty ???? This really is the best way to make peas! Thanks for sharing!
Mandy says
November 18, 2017 at 6:23 pmI 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
November 18, 2017 at 10:24 pmOh 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
March 21, 2019 at 4:38 pmReally tasty. I never boiled peas before, but the seasonings were a fresh idea!
Favorite Family Recipes says
March 21, 2019 at 5:45 pmSo glad you liked them 😀
Rhonda says
November 20, 2017 at 7:05 amI tried this and they are amazing, thank you.
Favorite Family Recipes says
November 21, 2017 at 9:42 amSo glad you liked them Rhonda! 😀
Ana says
January 24, 2018 at 8:20 pmThank you! These were amazing!
Patty says
February 19, 2018 at 4:02 pmThe 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
May 5, 2018 at 9:39 pmTHANK 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
May 7, 2018 at 4:54 pmhaha 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
May 29, 2018 at 4:23 pmUmmm. 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
May 30, 2018 at 8:10 amHmm 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
October 5, 2018 at 4:50 pmHi 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
October 9, 2018 at 4:51 pmThis 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
November 21, 2018 at 8:07 pmI 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
November 23, 2018 at 5:50 pmI add vegetable or chicken bouillon to my peas and that’s all you need.
Ashley Smith says
December 11, 2018 at 5:45 pmI 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
December 11, 2018 at 7:02 pmI am so glad you liked them!! Thanks for the 5-star rating!
James says
December 17, 2018 at 6:04 pmThis recipe ROCKS, and all other recipe’s are just average! Simply the best peas EVER!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
December 18, 2018 at 7:20 amThank you so much for the 5-star rating!! We are so glad you love this recipe!
Susan Pjetraj says
January 4, 2019 at 4:37 pmBest peas ever!
Favorite Family Recipes says
January 7, 2019 at 3:52 pmThanks Susan!
Phoebe says
January 7, 2019 at 7:29 amI’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
January 7, 2019 at 11:00 amLol yep.. it’s true! That’s a big part of why these are so tasty!
Nani Snyder says
January 8, 2019 at 5:35 pmWe 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
January 12, 2019 at 3:05 amI’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
January 15, 2019 at 7:00 pmYes! I agree completely! Boiling vegetables also makes them taste so bland. Thank you for sharing!
Mackenzie says
May 14, 2019 at 12:20 pmThis 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
May 15, 2019 at 8:54 amYou 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
January 23, 2019 at 7:49 amExactly what I was thinking when I saw that much butter for 1 lb peas.
henri says
January 23, 2019 at 7:39 pmIt 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
January 26, 2019 at 2:08 pmI just use 1-2 leaves of mint or it will be too overpowering. No need to cover the pan. Hope this helps!
Ashley says
February 2, 2019 at 2:21 pmI 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
February 3, 2019 at 10:56 pmYou are very very welcome! Thanks so much for the nice comment– and the 5-stars!
adina says
May 30, 2019 at 11:49 amhi. i would love to try this recipe. Can I keep it vegan by using coconut butter instead?
Erica Walker says
May 30, 2019 at 1:13 pmYou 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
March 21, 2019 at 9:25 amI 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
March 21, 2019 at 5:41 pmYou can definitely leave the sugar out if you want to 🙂
Rochelle says
April 28, 2019 at 6:49 pmThank you! This recipe is amazing!
Erica says
April 29, 2019 at 8:36 amThank you! So glad you liked it! Thanks for the 5-stars!