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!

Looking for more vegetable recipes? Check out our buttered vegetables recipe and oven roasted broccoli.

Green peas in a black skillet.

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
A glass bowl full of frozen peas.

How to Cook Frozen Peas

  1. 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.  
  2. Portion into individual servings, and season with salt and pepper to taste. 
Frozen peas, cubed butter, sugar, and minced garlic in a skillet.

Tools Used For This Recipe

Large Skillet

Garlic mincer 

A skillet full of perfectly cooked green peas.

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!

FAQs

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! Fresh peas are starchier than frozen peas, but this recipe is still so delicious with homegrown peas. However, I think this recipe and method tastes better using frozen peas.

A serving spoon scooping up freshly cooked green peas from a skillet.

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A serving spoon scooping up freshly cooked green peas from a skillet.
Print Review
5 from 3 votes

How to Cook Frozen Peas

If you've been boiling/steaming peas, you're doing it wrong! Can't wait for you to try this recipe. It's hands down the best way to cook peas!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 7 mins
Total Time: 12 mins
Servings: 6 servings

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.
    Frozen peas, cubed butter, sugar, and minced garlic in a skillet.
  • Cook stirring often, until butter is melted and peas are cooked, about 5-8 minutes. 
    A skillet full of perfectly cooked green peas.
  • Portion into individual servings and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Notes

You can use room temperature butter which will help it melt faster. I’ve used this with cold butter as well and I found that once the butter fully melted, the peas were finished cooked. So you can use that as a gauge too! Use cold butter and once it’s melted, the peas are done. 🙂
Don’t salt the peas too soon, it will actually dehydrate them!
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!

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 24g (8%)Protein: 8g (16%)Fat: 20g (31%)Saturated Fat: 12g (60%)Cholesterol: 50mg (17%)Sodium: 10mgPotassium: 369mg (11%)Fiber: 8g (32%)Sugar: 11g (12%)Vitamin A: 1740IU (35%)Vitamin C: 61mg (74%)Calcium: 45mg (5%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
author: Whitney Wright
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
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