Cooking sugar snap peas is an easy and flavorful way to enjoy this crunchy vegetable! Whether you’re looking for a light snack or a side dish to accompany a meal, sugar snap peas are a delicious choice. In this article, I’ll cover how to cook sugar snap peas in a variety of ways, including steaming, sautéing, and even roasting.
1. How To Prepare Sugar Snap Peas
The first step to preparing sugar snap peas is to wash them thoroughly. Rinse them in cold water then drain. You should also remove any strings or tough parts of the pods.
Once the sugar snap peas are clean, you’ll need to trim them. Cut off the stem end of the sugar snap peas, being careful not to cut too deep. Once the sugar snap peas have been trimmed, you can cook them in any way you like.
2. How To Cook Sugar Snap Peas on Stove
2.1. How To Sautee Sugar Snap Peas
Ingredients
- 1 lb sugar snap peas ( trimmed )
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic minced
Instructions
Step 1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the sugar snap peas and boil for about 2-3 minutes. Once the peas are cooked, drain and rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3. Add the olive oil and sugar snap peas to the skillet. Next, season with salt, pepper, and garlic minced. Then stir the sugar snap peas around in the pan for about 3 minutes.
Step 4. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the skillet. Let the sugar snap peas cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5. Once the sugar snap peas are tender, remove them from the heat and enjoy!
2.2. How To Steam Sugar Snap Peas
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh sugar snap peas ( trimmed )
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1. Place the sugar snap peas in a steamer basket and set aside.
Step 2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. When the water starts to boil. Place the steamer basket into the saucepan
Step 3. Cover the saucepan and steam for 5 – 6 minutes, once the sugar snap peas are steamed to your desired tenderness, remove them from heat and transfer them to a bowl.
Step 4. Drizzle the olive oil over the sugar snap peas and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5. Serve your steamed sugar snap peas warm. Enjoy!
3. How To Cook Sugar Snap Peas in Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 pound of sugar snap peas ( trimmed )
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1. Rinse the sugar snap peas until they are clean and pat them dry.
Step 2. Spread the sugar snap peas on a microwave-safe plate. Then drizzle the olive oil over the sugar snap peas and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3. Place the plate in the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute.
Step 4. Remove the plate from the microwave, stir the sugar snap peas and cook on high for an additional 1 minute.
Step 5. Serve the sugar snap peas while they are still hot. Enjoy!
4. How To Cook Sugar Snap Peas in Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb sugar snap peas ( trimmed )
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper powder, to taste
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Step 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
Step 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, place sugar snap peas on the baking sheet then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle garlic, salt, and pepper over the top.
Step 3. Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until sugar snap peas are tender.
Step 4. Remove roasted sugar snap peas from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (if desired). Serve hot and enjoy!
5. How To Cook Sugar Snap Peas in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound sugar snap peas ( trimmed )
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1. Preheat your air fryer to 375F.
Step 2. Place the sugar snap peas in a bowl and toss them with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
Step 3. Transfer seasoned sugar snap peas into the air fryer basket and spread them out in a single layer.
Step 4. Air fry at 375F for 8 – 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Step 5. Serve the sugar snap peas hot and enjoy!
6. What To Do With Cooked Sugar Snap Peas
Add the cooked sugar snap peas to stir-fries with other vegetables, proteins like chicken, shrimp, or tofu, and your choice of sauce or seasoning. Toss them in towards the end of cooking to retain their crunch.
Mix the cooked sugar snap peas into salads for added texture and freshness. Combine them with salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and your preferred dressing.
Incorporate the cooked sugar snap peas into pasta dishes. Toss them with cooked pasta, olive oil, garlic, grated cheese, and herbs for a simple and flavorful meal.
Use the cooked sugar snap peas in grain bowls. Combine them with cooked grains like quinoa, brown rice, or couscous, along with roasted vegetables, protein, and a tasty dressing.
Create a refreshing cold noodle salad with the cooked sugar snap peas. Toss them with cooked and chilled noodles, shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, green onions, and a sesame-based dressing.
Sugar snap peas are a great peas to add flavor and nutrition to your dishes. With the instructs in the article, you’ll know how to prepare and cook sugar snap peas properly so you can enjoy their full flavor and nutrition. Good luck!
