Need a veggie side quick? Learn how to cook frozen peas! Easy and delicious, this simple recipe will help you create a deliciously balanced meal.
I know you all love a quick vegetable side dish as much as I do! I love this easy frozen pea recipe because it’s quick and requires very little work. Plus it’s delicious! Learning how to cook frozen peas so they end up tasty and not mushy is super easy.
Are Frozen Peas Already Cooked?
Typically, vegetables are blanched before they are frozen. Blanching means that the vegetable, in this case, peas, is briefly plunged into boiling water for a few minutes and then into ice water.
The ice water stops the cooking process and the blanching helps the peas retain their vibrant color in the freezer. I use this method all the time when freezing my garden produce.
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So, are the frozen peas already cooked? They are cooked enough that you could thaw them out and eat them in a salad, but they would still have a little crunch to them.
That is why I like to saute them in this recipe. It makes them nice and tender without making them mushy. It takes the cooking process one step further than blanching.
Do I need to thaw frozen peas before cooking?
Nope! Not for this recipe. This recipe is ultra-easy {my all-time fave in the kitchen, especially when it comes to veggies} and you can just toss them in frozen. The frozen peas will thaw out in no time at all and using the peas frozen won’t change the outcome of the recipe.
How to Cook Frozen Peas
You can use this method for cooking frozen peas in a saucepan, or a skillet. I’ve used both and it works great. The liquid you add to the frozen peas will reduce more quickly {this is what you want} in a skillet, but if you don’t have one don’t stress.
It seems a little counterintuitive to add water when the goal is to reduce it almost completely out, but the water thaws and cooks the peas, it’s an important step to this recipe. The amount of water you use is going to matter too – this is what helps the frozen peas stay firm and not mushy.
I love the flavor of peas so I like to keep the seasonings in this frozen pea recipe basic so they highlight the great flavor of peas. Just use butter and a few herbs to make the frozen peas delicious.
There you have it! Another incredibly easy vegetable side dish for your family.
If you loved this easy frozen pea recipe, you’ll also love these easy vegetable side dishes.
- Flavorful & Easy Canned Corn Recipe
- Easy & Flavorful Canned Green Bean Recipe
- Oven Roasted Carrots
- The Best Broccoli Recipe – Oven Roasted Broccoli
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How to Cook Frozen Peas
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen peas one small bag, this can vary by a few ounces
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt this can be adjusted to your taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper this can be adjusted to your taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley dried
- 1/8 teaspoon dill just one pinch
Instructions
In a medium saucepan or saute pan, add frozen peas, water, butter, salt, pepper, parsley, and dill.
Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until all the water is almost reduced out of the pan.
Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Alli says
Such a quick, good side dish!