How to Cook Frozen Peas
If you’ve been boiling peas, then here’s your PSA on how to cook frozen peas the right way! With the proper cooking method, a little bit of sugar and some butter and you’ll be wanting these creamy peas every night!
I am definitely guilty of popping a bag of frozen peas in a saucepan of water and boiling them. Don’t do it! I promise you you’ll thank me forever. This method of how to cook peas has definitely upped my cool mom factor. I mean, we seriously should never ever be allowed to boil or steam peas.
So, frozen peas or fresh peas? This may surprise you, but frozen peas! According to Cook’s Illustrated, fresh peas are starchier. And, I couldn’t agree more!
For other amazing ways to cook vegetables be sure to check out my roasted carrots and sweet boiled corn recipes.
Ingredients
- Frozen peas — yes, frozen are better than fresh!
- Butter, cubed
- Granulated sugar — Just a hint! This will bring out the naturally sweet flavor of the peas
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, to taste — Don’t salt the peas until after they’ve been served on plates!
- Ground pepper, to taste
How to Cook Frozen Peas
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the frozen peas, butter, sugar, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the butter is melted and the peas are cooked, about 5-8 minutes.
- Portion into individual servings, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tools Used For This Recipe
Recipe Tips
- Don’t salt the peas too soon. It will actually dehydrate them! I recommend NOT SALTING until after you’ve served it into individual bowls.
- I know the packaging on frozen peas says to boil them. But trust me, it’s not the best way to cook your peas. This is the right way!
FAQ About This Recipe
- Do I have to thaw frozen peas before cooking them? — Nope! What a blessing.
- Are frozen peas already cooked? — Usually frozen vegetables are blanched prior to being frozen. This means they are put in boiling water briefly and then into ice cold water. You could thaw them and eat them but they won’t be as soft as fully cooked peas.
- How long do peas take to cook? — Usually just 5-8 minutes!
- Do fresh peas need to be cooked? — It depends on how you are using them. I love snacking on raw peas, and some salads may call for raw peas. However, I think you’ll love this way of cooking peas the best! Typically fresh peas should be cooked.
- Can you use this recipe with homegrown peas? — Sure! Cook’s Illustrated does note that fresh peas are starchier than frozen peas, but this recipe is still so delicious with homegrown peas! I, however, think this recipe tastes better with frozen peas.
More Delicious Recipes
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
How to Cook Frozen Peas
Ingredients
- 2 lbs frozen peas
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter - cubed, (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- kosher salt - to taste
- freshly ground black pepper - to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the frozen peas, butter, sugar, and garlic.
- Cook stirring often, until butter is melted and peas are cooked, about 5-8 minutes.
- Portion into individual servings and season with salt and pepper to taste.