Cooking With Peas

From snacking out of hand to adding to your favorite dinners, pea recipes are a great way to welcome spring and all the sunshine-y days ahead.

One of my favorite spring pleasures is grabbing a plump pea pod from the vine and popping it open to get at those sweet peas hidden inside. My son loves it too, and by introducing peas this way we’ve been able to expand our pea possibilities to include snap and snow peas into our diet along with traditional garden peas.

That’s a great thing, because there’s lots of wonderful ways to enjoy peas. From snacking out of hand to adding to your favorite dinners, pea recipes are a great way to welcome spring and all the sunshine-y days ahead.

Easy Steamed English Peas

Easy Steamed English Peas Recipe opens in a new tab

Selecting & Storing Peas

  • Sugar snap peas and snow peas have edible pods, so you want to look for pods that are saturated in color and firm, not bendy.

  • For garden peas sold in the pod, choose pods that are medium-size and not overly plump. Peas that are too large will be lacking in sweet flavor and have a denser texture.

  • Store snap peas and snow peas in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days.

  • Use shelled garden peas immediately, or blanch and freeze for later use.

Preparing Peas

New to sugar snap peas? Our How To Prep Sugar Snap Peas opens in a new tab has great tips.

To enjoy peas to their fullest, they only need a quick steam until vibrantly green, for 5 to 8 minutes max. They only need a little salt and pepper, and maybe a bit of butter or olive oil to make them completely delectable bites of springtime.

Recipes with Peas

Of course, you can take peas even further by using them with fresh herbs (mint is a favorite partner), grains, other vegetables and even meats. Here are some fantastic ways to enjoy peas of all kinds.

Bulgur with Peas and Mint

Bulgur with Peas and Mint Recipe opens in a new tab

This side dish features plenty of fresh herbs to complement the peas and serves as a wonderful accompaniment to lamb or chicken.

Quick Curried Salmon with Mashed Peas

Quick Curried Salmon with Mashed Peas Recipe opens in a new tab

A great option for busy weeknights, this recipe uses flavorful curry powder for a tasty new way to serve up peas and fish.

Spring Pasta Salad with Escarole, Radishes and Peas

Spring Pasta Salad with Escarole, Radishes and Peas Recipe opens in a new tab

This vegan dish just screams spring, with crunchy peas and spicy radishes. A simple herb-filled sauce packs in the flavor.

Green Pea Salad with Orange Blossom Honey

Green Pea Salad with Orange Blossom Honey Recipe opens in a new tab

If you want to use peas in all forms, this unique salad is for you. Green peas, snap peas and pea shoots combine for a vibrant dish.

Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers, Carrots and Snow Peas

Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers, Carrots and Snow Peas Recipe opens in a new tab

A stir-fry is a great way to enjoy fresh peas, and this flavorful dish can be ready in a flash for weeknight dinner.

Pea and Asparagus Soup

Pea and Asparagus Soup Recipe opens in a new tab

Pea soup is anything but dull in this beautiful creamy version. Featuring asparagus, garlic and fresh dill, this is a go-to for spring.

How do you enjoy peas? Share your favorite recipes in the comments!

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