It's hard to find an irresistible yet simple recipe that can be thrown together quickly on any given night. But don't worry, this easy sugar snap pea recipe is here to save the day! Not only are these snap peas delicious and hearty, but they're also super healthy — packed with vitamins and minerals you need for a nutritious meal. Plus, it requires just minutes of your time in the kitchen and can be altered to fit your tastes.
Why You'll Love This Sugar Snap Peas Recipe
Healthy- Sugar snap peas are packed with fiber and essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. Plus, it's low in calories, so you can enjoy a guilt-free snack or side dish.
Easy To Find Ingredients- This sugar snap peas recipe doesn't require extensive ingredient hunting. Just grab a few pantry staples and a pack of sugar snap peas, typically found near lettuce at the grocery store.
Quick and Simple- Perfect for busy weeknights when you're short on time but don't want to compromise on flavor, this side dish can be ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes.
Tasty- The combination of peas, olive oil, mint, and mushrooms creates a flavorful dish that will have everyone wanting more.
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What Are Sugar Snap Peas?
Sugar snap peas are a type of edible pea pods that are sweet, crunchy, and have a slightly mild flavor. They are considered an ideal snack or side dish because of their convenience and nutrition profile. Plus, it doesn't require much time to prepare because they can be eaten raw, added to salads, or stir-fries.
The green pods are full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, iron, thiamin, phosphorus, and zinc. Sugar snap peas also contain dietary fiber to help boost digestion.
Making these sugar snap peas is a great way to get in your recommended daily intake of essential nutrients while adding a scrumptious side dish to your meal.
Fun Facts About Sugar Snap Peas
- Sugar snap peas, also known as just snap peas, are a cross between snow peas and garden peas.
- Trim sugar snap peas with your fingertips, pinch the stem ends, and pull the pea pods down to remove the tough strings.
- Their name is very descriptive. Sugar snap peas are sweet and snappy!
- Eat the whole thing, and that's a lot of fiber.
- Any recipe for sugar snap peas is a simple one. They are just so darn easy to work with and taste so good.
- Fresh sugar snap peas are a powerful antioxidant and contain a lot of the immune system-building Vitamin C.
- If you grow legumes, you're also improving the soil. They are great for rotating in between other crops.
- Sugar snap peas are great in helping a person to lose weight. They're non-starchy veggies, so eat up!
Equipment Needed
- Large Pot
- Large Bowl
- Collander
- Paper Towels
- Large Skillet or Pan
- Stirring Spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Sugar Snap Peas- The main ingredient in this recipe. These peas are packed with fiber and flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Adds flavor and helps to sautee the veggies.
Fresh Mint Leaves- Light refreshing and just seem to be made to go with snap peas.
Salt- Used to salt the water for the snap peas. Kosher salt, flaky sea salt, or coarse salt, whatever you have on hand.
Pepper- Adds a bit of contrasting spice.
Button Mushrooms- The perfect earthy-tasting foil.
How To Make Sugar Snap Peas
To prepare sugar snap peas, first, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. In a separate bowl, prepare ice water. Once the pot of water is boiling, add the fresh sugar snap peas and wait for them to turn bright green in color, which should take around 30 seconds. Drain the peas and immediately transfer them to the bowl of ice water for around 5 minutes. After that, drain the snap peas and lay them out on paper towels to dry.
While waiting for the snap peas water to boil, begin sauteing the mushrooms in a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, remove the pan from the heat.
When ready to serve, add the peas to the skillet with the mushrooms and cook for about 2 minutes until warmed through.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves, salt and pepper, then serve immediately and enjoy!
What To Serve With Sugar Snap Peas
These cooked sugar snap peas are perfect for a quick snack or side dish to accompany any meal. You can eat snap peas with just about anything! Try serving these snap peas with roasted vegetables, green beans, quinoa, rice, mashed potatoes, or stir-fries for a delicious and nutritious dinner. It also makes a great appetizer when served as part of a veggie platter. For an extra burst of flavor and crunch, top the sugar snap peas with toasted almonds or pine nuts.
No matter how you serve it, this sugar snap peas side dish is sure to be a hit!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- For a bit more crunchy texture, you can add diced red bell pepper, sliced carrots, chopped shallot, or other veggies to the dish.
- Use almond oil, toasted sesame oil, or coconut oil in place of the extra virgin olive oil.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices. Use things like, fresh thyme, dill, basil, and salt and pepper, for an additional twist.
- Add a splash of lemon juice, melted vegan butter, or soy sauce for more delicious flavor.
- If your family loves spice, add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder for an extra kick.
- Lastly, if you want to make this dish even heartier, add some cooked quinoa or brown rice for added protein.
Can You Freeze These Snap Peas?
Yes, this sugar snap peas recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, allow the dish to cool completely and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you are ready to enjoy, simply thaw and reheat in a skillet over medium-high heat until heated through.
Sugar Snap Peas Recipe FAQs
How do I know when the snap peas are cooked?
The snap peas should be bright green and tender. They should only take around 30 seconds to cook.
Can I use frozen sugar snaps instead of fresh ones?
Absolutely. Feel free to use frozen sugar snap peas for this recipe. Simply thaw the snap peas in a bowl of cold water, and then follow the instructions as listed in the recipe card.
Do I have to use olive oil?
Olive oil is great for sautéing vegetables, but you can also use almond oil or coconut oil if desired.
Can I add other veggies to this recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to add diced red bell pepper, sliced carrots, or any other vegetables you have on hand.
How long do these sugar snap peas last in the fridge?
Leftover sugar snap peas can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days.
📋 Recipe
Simple Sugar Snap Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 32 ounces sugar snap peas - tough strings removed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup loosely packed chopped fresh mint leaves
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 16 ounces button mushrooms - sliced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Fill a large bowl with ice water.
- Add the peas to the boiling water and bring back to a boil.
- Continue boiling until peas turn bright green, about 30 seconds.
- Drain and immediately plunge into the ice water.
- Let stand to thoroughly chill, about 5 minutes.
- Drain and spread peas out on paper towels to dry.
- This next little step is where my recipe veers from All You Magazine - it is the mushrooms.
- In a large skillet add the olive oil and turn to medium high heat.
- Saute the mushrooms for about 10 minutes.
- Then take the pan off the burner.
- You can be doing this while your snap peas are cooling and drying.
- Just before serving, add the peas to the pan with the mushrooms.
- Also add the mint and pepper and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Cook, stirring often, until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
- Serve warm.
wren
what could you substitute for the mint? I don't have any on hand but need to make something tonight with sugar snap peas and mushrooms
Ginny McMeans
You can just leave it out. I left it out for my husband and it was still delicious.
Vicky
So always forget to use snap peas. They’re a favorite in out family so I am so glad I found this recipe. Thanks so much!