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There’s actually a correct way to cook frozen peas, and it isn’t boiling! You can have sweet, crisp, vibrant green peas in less than ten minutes. Never mushy, never bland. Try them tonight!
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I hate to break it to you, but you have probably been cooking peas wrong your entire life. And I admit I am guilty of ripping open a bag of frozen peas and throwing them into a pot of boiling water 5 minutes before dinner or tossing them in the microwave and serving them as a side dish.
I never hated peas, but never loved them either. 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 the tender, perfectly cooked peas, I understood. They were delicious! So I figured out just what makes those peas taste delicious and now I can share it with you!
Ingredients for Perfect Peas
Just a bag of frozen peas isn’t enough, not for show-stopping, succulent peas like these. Here’s what you need:
- Peas – Use frozen green peas for this recipe. They are firm and will soften in minutes.
- Butter – Salted, sweet cream butter is a rich and flavorful butter that gives you just enough deliciousness to the peas that is not overbearing.
- Sugar – I know it sounds weird, but it won’t make the peas too sweet, I promise!
- Garlic – Use fresh, crushed garlic for optimal aroma and flavor.
Step By Step Instructions
- First, empty a bag of frozen peas into a large skillet.
- Add six tablespoons of butter, garlic, and sugar on top.
- Sauté on medium heat until the butter is melted and the peas are cooked through.
- Salt and pepper, then serve!
Basic Tips for Green Peas on the Stovetop
These tips work for any frozen vegetable, not just peas. Try them when cooking green beans, corn, snow peas, snap peas, English peas, etc.
- 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 sweetness.
- 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.
Additional Ingredients to Try
- If you want to try something different, try coarsely tearing up a few mint leaves and throwing them in the pan 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.
- Add a little bit of minced onion during the cooking process.
- Top with fresh parsley or other fresh herbs.
- Sauté in a little extra virgin olive oil instead of butter.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the finished product.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top
Frequently Asked Questions about Peas
Petite peas are usually smaller, sweeter, and more delicate than regular peas. Regular peas are meatier, but the skin on them is a little tougher.
If you are using our method for cooking frozen peas, just a little sugar, salt, and pepper is all you need. If you want to make the peas a little more fancy, try adding some mint (see notes above).
Believe it or not, frozen peas taste better than fresh ones when cooking. Why? Frozen peas are flash-frozen at the peak of ripeness. You can depend on the sweetness and soft texture. Store-bought fresh peas tend to become more firm and starchy from the time they are picked to the time they are purchased. Unless they are picked fresh from your garden, frozen peas are the way to go!
Cook’s Illustrated has a great explanation of the difference in flavors between the two HERE. It’s worth a quick read.
READ NEXT: The Best Traditional Easter Dinner Ideas
Now that you know all about peas – it’s time to make them! If we’ve convinced you this is the “right way,” you will also want to check out more of our “How To” recipes.
More Pea Recipes to Try
Try some more favorite recipes with peas! They are a great filler and helps give you a delicious and healthy meal combination!
How to Cook Frozen Peas (The RIGHT Way)
How to Cook Frozen Peas (the RIGHT way)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen green peas
- 6 tablespoons butter salted, sweet cream
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 cloves garlic fresh, crushed
- kosher salt 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 and drain off any liquid.
- Add salt and pepper. Serve.
Notes
- 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 okay, it won’t taste weird and it will bring out the natural sweetness.
- 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.
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!!
You are very very welcome! Thanks so much for the nice comment– and the 5-stars!
hi. i would love to try this recipe. Can I keep it vegan by using coconut butter instead?
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!
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.
I just use 1-2 leaves of mint or it will be too overpowering. No need to cover the pan. Hope this helps!
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw that much butter for 1 lb peas.
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.
Yes! I agree completely! Boiling vegetables also makes them taste so bland. Thank you for sharing!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Lol yep.. it’s true! That’s a big part of why these are so tasty!
Best peas ever!
Thanks Susan!
This recipe ROCKS, and all other recipe’s are just average! Simply the best peas EVER!!
Thank you so much for the 5-star rating!! We are so glad you love this recipe!
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!
I am so glad you liked them!! Thanks for the 5-star rating!
I add vegetable or chicken bouillon to my peas and that’s all you need.
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.
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!
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!
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?
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?
I think your peas are freezer burned. Right now my peas are only halfway cooked and they aren’t hard!
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!!
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
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!
interesting! thanks.
Thank you! These were amazing!
I tried this and they are amazing, thank you.
So glad you liked them Rhonda! 😀
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.
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!
Really tasty. I never boiled peas before, but the seasonings were a fresh idea!
So glad you liked them 😀
What about canned peas? Just kidding! Canned peas are super nasty ???? This really is the best way to make peas! Thanks for sharing!
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?)
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.
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.
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!