How to Cook Frozen Peas (the RIGHT way)

Name: How to Cook Frozen Peas (the RIGHT way)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
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)

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

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

I 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!