Learn how to cook canned peas on the stovetop and in the microwave as well as some easy tips for how to make them taste better. You'll love how simple and quick it is to whip up these delicious peas that you'll be adding some canned peas to your weekly grocery list! Keep on reading to find out how to make perfectly cooked peas every time.
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Guide To Cooking Canned Peas
Is it just me or does the thought of eating canned peas just take you back to your childhood? They were something that my mom seemed to always add to our plate. I can't blame her, though, because they are super convenient.
If you've ever tried canned peas, you know that they can be a little bland. So not only am I going to show you the best ways to heat them up, but I'm also going to give you some tips and tricks to make them taste even better!
In The Microwave
Cooking your canned peas in the microwave is super quick and simple. I suggest adding some butter and seasoning to add some more flavor!
- Drain. Open your can of peas and drain off the liquid.
- Add butter. Pour the peas into a microwave-safe container and add 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Heat. Microwave for about 1 minute, or until the butter has melted and the peas are hot.
- Serve. Remove the peas from the microwave and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
On The Stovetop
While I am going to show you the best way to cook your peas on the stove, I'm also going to add a few extra ingredients to make them taste fantastic!
- Drain. Begin by opening a 16-ounce can of peas and draining off the excess liquid.
- Add water. Pour the peas into a small saucepan along with ½ cup of water and then place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Season. Add in 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and ½ teaspoon each of salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, and an optional pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Heat. Heat, occasionally stirring, until the butter has completely melted and the peas are heated through.
- Serve. Remove the peas from the heat and serve immediately.
Tips For Cooking Canned Peas
- Canned peas are already cooked, so you want to avoid overcooking them (which makes them mushy). All you're doing is heating them up and adding some flavor.
- Not all canned peas are the same. Small, baby peas are generally sweeter. Choose your favorite variety.
- Always make sure to drain your peas before you heat them up.
How To Make Canned Peas Taste Good
Of course, you can always cook your canned peas in the microwave or on the stovetop as-is. However, they definitely taste better when you add in some other ingredients! Use these simple tips to make your canned peas extra delicious!
1. Rinse Them
You should always drain your peas. However, rinsing them off helps to get rid of excess sodium and gives you more control over the final flavor!
2. Add Seasonings
Adding seasonings is the best way to make canned peas taste great! You can get as creative as you like with what seasonings you choose to add. Here are some of my recommendations.
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes
3. Use Butter
Butter does a great job of adding a rich flavor to canned peas (notice how I include it in both the microwave and stovetop cooking methods!)
Storing Leftover Canned Peas
Unopened canned peas have a super long shelf life, which is why I love having a few cans on hand at all times. However, once you open your peas you'll want to transfer them to a sealed container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Nope! Canned peas are already cooked. However, they do taste much better if you heat them up and add in some seasonings!
Salt, pepper, and butter are a great starting point for enhancing your canned peas. However, you could also experiment with adding in some shallots, cheese, or bacon!
The liquid that you see in the can of peas is a mixture of water, salt (unless you're using a can of peas with no salt added), and starch that has come from the peas themselves.
😋 Recipes Using Peas
- Split Pea Soup - This warm and cozy soup is packed with flavor from both peas and ham.
- Buttered Peas & Carrots - A simple and super easy side dish that even kids love.
- Ham & Pea Pasta - Ham and peas taste great together, so this pasta is easily a crowd favorite.
- Fresh Pea & Mint Risotto - A classic risotto recipe that is easy to make, elegant, and delicious.
- Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie - I always enjoy adding peas to my chicken pot pies and this recipe uses biscuits to make it extra simple.
- Lamb Curry - If you have any leftover lamb on hand, make sure to use it for some tasty lamb curry.
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📖 Recipe Card
How To Cook Canned Peas
Ingredients
- 16 oz peas (canned, drained)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
On The Stovetop
- Begin by opening your can of peas and draining off the excess liquid.
- Pour the peas into a small saucepan along with the water and then place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Add in the butter, sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
- Heat, stirring occasionally until the butter has completely melted and the peas are heated through.
- Remove the peas from the heat and serve immediately.
In The Microwave
- Open your can of peas and drain off the liquid.
- Pour the peas into a microwave-safe container and add the butter.
- Microwave for about 1 minute, or until the butter has melted and the peas are hot.
- Remove the peas from the microwave and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Sophia says
First of all you are the ONLY PERSON that puts the measurement with the steps! I appreciate that so much! You have no idea how many times I look back up at the measurements during a recipe, lol. Second, I googled how to cook sweet peas because I was tired to death of the same old boring peas. I told my daughter, who requested tonight’s dinner, that I was changing her pea recipe and she said,” But I like my boring peas”. Lol. But when she tastes them she tore those peas up! LOL! Thanks for amping up my peas!
Anonymous says
Great flavor!
Emily says
I haven't tried the recipe yet but I'm going to tonight. It sounds delicious. Plus, I have to say, I love the way you've written the recipe with the measurements included in each step. Brilliant! It makes following the recipe so much easier. Thank you.