Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (2024)

Fresh peas have a short season; June through August. But even then, they can be tough to find and inconsistent. Frozen pea recipes to the rescue! Frozen pea recipes make it possible to enjoy a pop of spring or summer flavor any time of year. From comfort food casseroles and skillet dinners to cozy soups and party-starting dip recipes, our best recipes for frozen peas showcase the versatility of the affordable freezer aisle favorite.

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Salmon Pot Pie Casserole

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (1)

For a thoroughly modern twist on pot pie, keep the format—complete with cornmeal biscuits!—and the mix-ins. Yes, this is still a frozen peas recipe. Carrots, broccoli, and leeks are part of the line-up, too. But instead of calling for canned condensed soup and chicken, we explain how to refresh this comfort food casserole with an easy homemade cream sauce and swap in heart-healthy salmon for the more familiar poultry.

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02of 14

Cheesy Broccoli and Pea Soup

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (2)

Broccoli-cheese soup gets a lighter, springy upgrade in this easy lunch idea that you’ll actually look forward to eating. Caramelized onions and Parmesan cheese add complexity to the unexpectedly quick soup recipe with frozen peas. Alongside the broccoli, the peas thicken the consistency and offer the verdant color that really pops when you blend the soup before serving.

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Asparagus, Chicken, and Green Pea Salad with Mint

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (3)

Thanks to rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking vegetables, this healthy frozen peas recipe can be yours just 20 minutes from now. Simply blanch and drain the asparagus, then top it with the thawed frozen peas, shredded chicken from your deli-roasted (or leftover) bird. Finish with a handful of crumbled goat cheese, copious amounts of fresh mint, and a drizzle of homemade white balsamic vinaigrette for a lovely low-carb feast.

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Creamy Sausage Rigatoni with Peas

Their petite size means that you can toss the peas in with the cream to finish this one-pot meal. They’re warm and ready to devour after the dish cooks for a mere 3 minutes more and rests for 5 minutes to come together. In partnership with smoked sausage, paprika, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil infuse every bite of this pasta recipe with frozen peas with a surprising amount of flavor for a 45-minute meal.

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Tarragon Shrimp with Easiest-Ever Risotto

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (5)

Delivering a pop of freshness and a pleasant al dente element amidst a pool of silky rice, peas are one of our favorite additions to risotto recipes. In this frozen peas recipe, they shine in the Parmesan risotto that acts as the bed for the rest of the shrimp dinner. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, this is one recipe that’s definitely elegant enough for date night or dinner parties, but is also easy enough for a family meal any night of the week.

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Sweet Pea Spread

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (6)

The next time you’re in the mood for a healthy snack or are hosting an appetizer party, leave the store-bought hummus on the shelf and try this instead. The speedy vegan dip requires zero cooking time and can be made up to 24 hours ahead. Beyond beans, this thawed frozen peas recipe gets a boost from bright lemon, earthy cumin, and aromatic garlic.

Test Kitchen Tip: Try leftovers in wrap sandwiches, in grain bowls, on flatbreads, or any other place you might feature hummus.

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Spring Stroganoff

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (7)

For a healthy spring dinner that takes beefy stroganoff and shifts the meat to the side—we recommend just 2 ounces per person—add this pasta and frozen pea recipe to your dinner rotation. Alongside their five-star review, one BHG home cook confirms that you can totally omit the meat from the creamy noodle dish, if you like: “I love this recipe. It is a wonderful plant-forward meal. I used extra mushrooms and asparagus in place of the beef. It was excellent!”

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Pea and Artichoke Toasts

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (8)

The next time you’re in the mood for a change of pace from your usual avocado toast routine, try this simple yet craveable topped toast remix. Smashed peas act as the “glue” to unite sturdy slices of toast with artichoke hearts, carrot ribbons, and prosciutto. We love it for lunch, paired with a piece of fruit, or put an egg on it and try this recipe for frozen peas for breakfast instead.

Related: 17 Healthy Lunch Ideas That Will Inspire You to Ditch Takeout

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Ham and Pea Tortellini

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (9)

Savory, salty ham and sweet peas are classic spring pasta combination. But that doesn’t mean you need to reserve this 20-minute frozen peas recipe for a single season! One BHG fan declares this semi-homemade supper “absolutely delicious and super quick to put together! I double the recipe and substitute fresh or frozen kale for the arugula when my garden stops producing it,” and since the peas can be fresh or frozen, you can make this easy cheese tortellini dish any day of the year.

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Two-Pea Soup with Pork

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (10)

With a sheet pan (for roasting vegetables), a Dutch oven (for the soup), and a blender (to purée it to perfection), you can create a cozy soup recipe that might just convince you to kick the canned version once and for all. Roasting the aromatic vegetables helps to accentuate their natural sugars, which complement the frozen sweet peas and dried split peas. Smoked ham, lemon juice, and plenty of herbs perk up the recipe for frozen peas so it tastes as vibrant as you’ll feel after eating a bowl.

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Broccolini with Peas and Seared Lemons

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (11)

Why choose just one vegetable when you can sneak three into one quick and crowd-pleasing side dish? A trio of blanched vegetables make this much more than a frozen peas recipe; it’s also a broccolini and Swiss chard creation. A lemon-butter sauce coats each bite of produce with a dash of richness, and a pinch of crushed red pepper brings just enough heat as you veg out.

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Sweet Pea Ricotta Bruschetta

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (12)

When it’s not quite tomato season, we love to showcase alternative crostini toppings that think outside of the tomato, basil, and balsamic box. To recreate this spring-inspired snack recipe for frozen peas, slather toasted baguette slices with a creamy mixture of ricotta and goat cheese. On top, spoon the minty pea purée (which can be made and chilled up to 24 hours ahead). Garnish with thin strips of radish and pea shoots, if you like, and serve. Then prepare to dish up the recipe, too—everyone will be asking for it.

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Peas, Carrots, and Mushrooms

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (13)

A spoonful of 3-ingredient basil gremolata is all you need to take a vegetable side dish from basic to restaurant-quality. Fresh carrots, mushrooms, and green onions meet frozen peas in the one-pan side dish. While you finish those with a pat of butter, stir together fresh basil, lemon zest, and garlic. Then all that’s left to do is toss the veggies with their basil BFF, and serve with any main. We especially love this with pork tenderloin or roast chicken!

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Honey Roast Chicken with Spring Peas and Shallots

Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (14)

Roast chicken gets naming rights in this frozen peas recipe, true. Don’t allow that to eclipse the rest of the very important cast of characters. After the bird is roasted, a generous glug of Champagne becomes the star of the pan sauce, which gets rounded out by chicken stock, fresh herbs, lemon, and fresh or frozen peas.

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Our Tasty Frozen Peas Recipes Prove the Veggie is a Freezer Aisle MVP (2024)

FAQs

Are frozen peas as good as fresh? ›

Springtime is fresh pea season. But the good news is that frozen peas allow you to get the health benefits of peas year-round, because they are frozen at their peak—helping to preserve their nutrients. Frozen peas are packed with all the protein, fiber, and other nutrients found in fresh ones.

Why can't you eat frozen peas raw? ›

The FSAI and safefood stress that whilst the figures were low for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes – it is a potential health risk for people who may eat these non-ready-to-eat frozen foods uncooked frequently, and/or if consumer preparation and handling practices allow Listeria monocytogenes, if present, to grow ...

Can you eat frozen peas straight from the freezer? ›

Thinking All Frozen Veggies Need to Be Cooked

Nope, you can eat frozen veggies as-is—no pot, pan or microwave required.

Why are my frozen peas hard after cooking? ›

Don't overcook otherwise peas will shrivel and become tough. Season after cooking – once cooked, immediately add lemon juice (highly recommended) and seasoning(s) of choice. Many recommend adding 1-2 teaspoons of sugar per pound of frozen peas to bring out the sweetness but I haven't found this to be necessary.

What is the disadvantage of frozen peas? ›

However, there are certain drawbacks to frozen green peas. These include potential storage problems and the health risks related to commercially available options that often contain preservatives. Improper defrosting can also negatively affect digestive health.

Do frozen peas taste better than canned? ›

Even the best canned peas can't contend with fresh peas. Hell, they can't even contend with frozen peas. They're mushier. That garden-fresh flavor just doesn't last in a can filled with briny pea water.

Why shouldn't you eat raw peas? ›

English peas, sometimes referred to as shelling or garden peas, are not poisonous. However eating English peas raw can cause certain problems for at-risk individuals. Fresh garden peas contain both lectins and phytic acid. Lectins can cause gas and bloating, while phytic acid interferes with the absorption of minerals.

Do frozen peas need to be cooked before eating? ›

Frozen peas are cooked before freezing so they don't need to be cooked! Serve – Done and ready to serve! Pour into a bowl or put straight onto dinner plates. Delicious to eat as is – I challenge you to stop at one spoonful – but suggestions for dressing up are below!

Why do people use frozen peas instead of ice? ›

“The good thing about a bag of frozen peas or a gel pack is that it can conform to the body surface area,” Corsino said. “Then you can just get more contact and more temperature change by conduction, and you can affect deeper or superficial tissues better that way.”

Can dogs eat peas? ›

Yes, dogs can eat peas. Green peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas are all OK for dogs to find in their bowl on occasion. Peas have several vitamins, minerals, and are rich in protein and high in fiber. You can feed your dog fresh or frozen peas, but avoid canned peas with added sodium.

Do frozen peas go bad? ›

Once frozen, transfer the peas to a freezer-friendly bag or container and store them for up to a year. If you want to enjoy the peas while they're of the best quality, try to consume your frozen peas within eight months.

Should frozen peas be washed before cooking? ›

If the package suggests to drain or rinse the vegetables, then they should be washed. While there has been some controversy in the past about the food safety of frozen produce, the AFFI assures that frozen produce is highly safe and manufacturing facilities are held to high standards of cleanliness.

Why are my peas chewy? ›

If left on the plant for too long, those sugars are converted into starches so the peas become fibrous and tough with a less sweet flavor. For the cook, this means choosing peas that are recently picked and fresh and young—this is not a time when bigger is better.

Why are my frozen peas wrinkled? ›

They discovered that the high sugar content in developing wrinkled seeds draws in large amounts of water through osmosis, causing the seed to swell. The seeds then lose volume as they mature and dry out to give a wrinkled appearance.

Why do my peas taste bad? ›

The bitterness can be caused by a variety of things, among them, irregular watering. Be sure to keep your peas well watered, and provide a mulch to keep the soil evenly moist. Another major cause of bitterness in peas is temperature. Plants like peas, spinach, and lettuce like cool weather where they grow slowly.

Can I substitute frozen peas for fresh peas? ›

When I don't have fresh peas, frozen is the next best thing. I always keep a bag of frozen shelled peas in the freezer to add to pasta dishes and other recipes. Peas are the star of this recipe. It makes a great appetizer as bruschetta and can also double as a sandwich spread.

Which is healthier canned or frozen peas? ›

Conclusion. Canned peas are not necessarily bad, especially when there are no frozen or fresh ones. They make great side dishes and still retain a few of their nutrients. Frozen peas are much healthier but fresh ones are the best.

Why can you only buy peas frozen? ›

Fresh green peas start becoming stale, old, and starchy the minute they are picked. Food processors know this and start preserving the peas in the field, sometimes even freezing them there. As a result, frozen peas can actually be fresher than those sold in the market, even the farmer's own market.

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