How to Cook Sugar Snap Peas - Gitta's Kitchen (2024)

Sugar snap peas are crunchy, sweet, and a delightful addition to any meal. If you are looking for a quick and delicious side dish, these veggies are sure to satisfy.

Sugar snap peas are one of my favorite spring vegetables to cook and eat. They are versatile because you can eat them raw or cooked.

They have a sweet, crisp flavor and are a perfect addition to salads, stir-fry dishes, or served as a side dish. Best of all, they are prepared in a few minutes and are delicious.

Many recipes call to saute them. However, I prefer boiling them for 2 minutes so that they turn beautiful bright green but remain crisp.

Once they are cooked, you just need to add a bit of butter, salt, and pepper, and they are ready to serve.

What is the Difference Between Sugar Snap Peas and Snow Peas?

Sugar snap peas and snow peas are both members of the legume family and are similar in appearance, but they do have some key differences:

1. Texture: Sugar snap peas have a thicker and crunchier texture than snow peas, which are thinner and more delicate.
2. Flavor: Sugar snap peas are sweet and slightly earthy, while snow peas have a milder, grassy flavor.

Ingredients

The list of ingredients is short! See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients with quantities,

• Sugar Snap Peas-I like to buy fresh stringless sugar snap peas. They are packaged, and you can find them in the refrigerated section of your produce aisle at your favorite grocery store.
• Butter-The recipe calls for unsalted butter. However, you can use salted butter. If you do, you may need to reduce the salt in the recipe.
• Salt-I like Kosher salt because it is coarse and works well in this recipe. If you use regular table salt, decrease the amount in half because it is a finer grind.
• Black Pepper-Freshly ground black course pepper adds great flavor. You can also use preground black pepper. Use white pepper if you don't want to see the specs.

That's it! Only 4 ingredients are necessary to make this delicious side dish!

Instructions

Add water to a medium saucepan. Over high heat, bring water to a low boil

Add the snap peas to the saucepan.

Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes until they are bright green.

Drain. If you are not going to eat them right away, run cold water on them until they are no longer warm.

Add butter, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Melt the butter and stir to combine.

Add the peas and stir to coat them with butter and seasonings.

Serve and enjoy these tasty little gems!

Variations

Try some of these flavorings that pair well with sugar snap peas.

• Add ½ teaspoon garlic powder with the salt and pepper.
• Fresh minced garlic, about 1-2 cloves, is delicious and adds a nice flavor.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice1-2 teaspoons to brighten the peas.
• Soy Sauce adds a nice flavor. Add about 1-2 teaspoons
• Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Equipment

• Medium saucepan with a lid
• Colander
• Cooking spoon

Leftover Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight refrigerator container for 2-3 days.

Reheat them in a microwave.

Common Questions

What to Serve with Sugar Snap Peas?

These crunchy gems pair well with almost any meal.

My personal favorites are to serve them with Roasted Chicken and Chicken Schnitzel. They would also be delicious with pork chops, meatloaf, or grilled steak.

I hope you try this recipe! Please rate it and comment below. I love hearing from you! ❤️

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