Learn the best way to cook frozen peas with this easy minted peas recipe. Get tender and delicious peas in just minutes! Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
If you need a quick and easy vegetable side that works equally well for weekday dinners as it does for holiday meals, then you’ll love these minted peas.
Easy enough to get dinner on the table fast on a busy weeknight but elegant enough to serve for a special occasion this easy pea recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. It’s one of those versatile sides that goes with almost anything you’re serving and can be made in a matter of minutes. It takes something kind of ordinary (frozen peas) and transforms them into something so much more delicious with just a handful of simple ingredients.
How to Cook Frozen Peas:
Have you ever looked in your freezer and thought, “what can I do with a bag of frozen peas”, or “what’s the best way to cook frozen peas”? If your answer was something along the lines of “boil them”, then you may be surprised to hear that boiling peas isn’t actually the best way to cook them if you plan on serving them as a side. The best way to cook frozen peas is actually to sauté them.
Sautéing is a quick and easy way of cooking frozen peas that result in tender delicious peas every time (no more mushy, bland, overcooked peas). You simply cook the peas in melted butter with only a tiny amount of water to create enough steam to warm them through. Five minutes and a handful of ingredients is all you need. Finished with a shower of finely chopped mint and lemon zest, it’s a brightly flavored side that will dress up any meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Frozen Peas – You can use either petite or regular frozen peas. Petite peas are smaller and more tender but both will work here.
- Sugar Snap Peas – I like to add some sugar snap peas for crunch and contrast, you could also use snow peas.
- Butter – You can use either regular or dairy-free vegan butter. Olive oil works as well but you’ll get the best results using butter.
- Scallions – Finely chopped scallions are added to the butter to flavor it before adding the peas.
- Mint – You’ll need some finely chopped mint to sprinkle over the peas when done.
- Lemon – You’ll need fresh lemon zest to finish the peas. You can also serve the peas with a few lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.
How to Make Minted Peas:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- You’ll start by melting the butter and chopped scallions together in a large sauté pan.
- To that you’ll add the frozen peas (no need to thaw), snap peas and a Tablespoon or two of water. Continue to cook, stirring, until the peas are warmed through and the water has been absorbed.
- Remove the pan from the heat, season the peas to taste, sprinkle with the mint and lemon zest and serve warm. That’s it!
Variations:
- Use garlic, parsley and Parmesan instead of the scallions, mint and lemon zest.
- Use parsley and chives instead of mint.
- Use all frozen peas, or a mixture of peas, snap peas and snow peas.
More Pea Recipes:
Minted Peas
Learn the best way to cook frozen peas with this easy minted peas recipe. Get tender and delicious peas in just minutes! Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tablespoons/22g butter (dairy-free for vegan)
- 2 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced
- 10 ounces/283g frozen peas
- 5 ounces/142g sugar snap peas, string removed and sliced in half
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- In a large skillet melt butter over low heat. Add sliced scallions and cook for 1 minute or until softened.
- Add frozen peas, sugar snap peas, salt and 2 Tablespoons of water.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until peas are tender and heated through (about 5 minutes).
- Remove pan from heat, stir in chopped fresh mint and lemon zest.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Variations:
- Use garlic, parsley and Parmesan instead of the scallions, mint and lemon zest.
- Use parsley and chives instead of mint.
- Use all frozen peas, or a mixture of peas, snap peas and snow peas.
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and re-heat in pan with a splash of water before serving.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan (use dairy-free butter), Dairy-Free (if using dairy-free butter), Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 133Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 371mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 5g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
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