Snow peas are a versatile pea pod that goes with many dishes and skyrockets your Vitamin C intake. The entire pod is edible and has tiny peas inside, making the pod flat. This crunchy, tasty legume can be served raw or cooked, and it cooks quickly, making it even easier to incorporate.
If you have never used snow peas before, you may not know what to do with them. Since they are versatile, you will have many options for them, and they are easy to work with. You will quickly learn some favorite ways to make them, plus you can add them to dishes you already love.
These pea pods aren’t only a delicious and crunchy addition to your food, either. Being rich in vitamin C isn’t the only nutritional benefit you’ll experience from consuming the pods. The other benefits include the following:
- Rich in Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and K
- Contain dietary fiber and folate
- Contain potassium, calcium, and iron
If you aren’t yet convinced that these pea pods are the way to go, you will be soon. The ways to make the pea pods will convince you because they are all so delicious and easy to make.
Fifteen Delicious Ways to Make Snow Peas
Before making the pea pods, there are a few tips you should know. You shouldn’t boil them for more than one minute if your recipe calls for boiling. If you boil them any longer, the pods will lose their crunch, one of the best parts.
Another tip is to remove the string from the peas before cooking them. The strings are edible, but they are tough and not very enjoyable. Removing them make the pea pods easier to eat, and you won’t end up removing them while eating your meal.
1. Sautéed with Peppers
This is one of the easiest ways to make the peas. You will put a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat, and then add one teaspoon of oil. Coat the entire skillet and then add the pea pods to the pan along with sliced bell peppers.
Sauté the pods with the peppers for only four minutes, which should make it all tender but crisp. Remove the pan from the heat and drizzle one more teaspoon of cooking oil over the top. Then, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and mix it all.
2. In a Stir Fry
Stir fry can be cooked in many ways, and adding these pea pods makes it even better. Use your favorite stir fry recipe, and cook the chicken, beef, or pork as your recipe says to do. Then, remove the meat from the pan and add one tablespoon of oil before turning the heat to high.
Once the pan is heated up, add ginger and sauté for one minute. Then, add garlic and the bottoms from scallions before sautéing for 30 seconds.
Once that is done, add pea pods and bell pepper and sauté for about 3 minutes. Finally, add the meat and other ingredients back to the pan and follow your recipe’s remaining steps.
3. As a Side
These pea pods are a simple but delicious side dish for many types of meals. You can prepare them as a side to go with shrimp, fish, chicken, beef, or pasta. Since they cook quickly, it can be a last-minute side dish.
4. Five-Minute Snow Peas
You can make this dish in only five minutes and with only a few ingredients. To begin, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add half a teaspoon of oil. Once the pan is heated, add the pea pods and mix them to cover them in the oil.
Let the peas cook for a minute, and then stir them. Wait for another minute, and then stir again. Repeat this a few times until the pods are done cooking. Then, add some soy sauce and drizzle cooking oil over the top before mixing them one last time.
Line a plate with a paper towel and place the pea pods on the plate. Let it all sit on the plate for a couple of minutes before serving them in a bowl.
5. With Shrimp and Ginger
This delicious way to make pea pods will become one of your favorites if you like shrimp. Prepare shrimp in your favorite way.
Then, sauté some ginger for about a minute, add your peas, and sauté for another three minutes. You can serve it on top of shrimp or simply as a side dish.
6. With Bacon
You will need only a few bacon slices for a pound of pea pods with the strings removed. Cook the bacon until it is just beginning to get crispy, and then add the pods. Sprinkle on a little salt and pepper and cook it all until the peas are tender with a crunch.
You can add water to stop potential burning, a few tablespoons at a time. When they are done, you can serve them with French fried onion pieces on top. Remember, bacon contains fats and salt, but a little flavor goes a long way!
7. Lemon and Butter Snow Peas
Boil two quarts of water and two teaspoons of salt and add the peas, bringing it back to a boil. Try to boil them for only 45 seconds and then drain them and leave them out of the pan. Add two tablespoons of butter and when it begins to sizzle, add the peas back in.
Sauté the peas and butter for no more than one minute, and then add zest from one lemon. You can add toasted almonds at this step, as well—Cook for one more minute, and then season the peas with salt and pepper.
8. Steamed
This is an easy and quick way to make snow peas. Boil some salted water and cover it with a steamer basket.
Add the pea pods to the basket and steam until they are crispy but tender. For serving, drizzle with soy sauce for additional flavor.
9. With Garlic
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of cooking oil. Once it heats up, add your peas and cook for one minute before adding three minced garlic cloves. Continue cooking, occasionally stirring, until the pods are bright green and crispy.
10. Pickled
Rinse the peas and pack them into a canning jar, and add two cloves of garlic cut in half. Then spoon in one spoonful of peppercorns.
Use a saucepan and add half a cup of water and half a cup of vinegar. Add one heaping tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of honey.
Heat this until the honey has dissolved, but don’t let it come to a boil. Once the honey is gone, pour the liquid in the jar over top of the pea pods.
Use something to poke any air bubbles if you can see any in the jar, then wipe the rip of the jar clean. Don’t put the lid on. Instead, let the jars sit in hot water for 15 minutes. Please remove it from the water and let it come to room temperature before serving or putting the lid on for refrigerator storage.
11. With Toasted Almonds
Begin by melting one tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a medium-sized pan. Once melted, add a quarter cup of almonds and cook (stirring occasionally) until butter begins to brown, about a minute and a half. Then, add half a pound of pea pods and two teaspoons of finely chopped shallot.
Sauté the pea pods until they are crispy but still tender, which will take no more than two minutes. Once done, remove from heat, add some lemon juice, and season with salt.
12. In an Instant Pot
This simple recipe will take no time at all, making them the perfect snack or side dish. Add half a pound of pea pods and one cup of water to an instant pot. Close the lid, seal the valve, and press the “pressure cook” button.
Set the time to zero minutes on high pressure. Since the pea pods cook quickly, they will cook while the instant pot is heating up and coming to pressure. Once it’s done, do a quick release, drain the peas, and add salt and pepper if you want.
13. With Butter
Heat one tablespoon of butter on a skillet and then add about three cups of peas. Sauté while continually stirring for about five minutes, until the pods are tender but crispy.
Add salt and pepper and serve the pods. If you’d like them to be a little sweet, add some sugar in with the butter at the beginning.
14. In a Salad
These pea pods can be added to any salad you like. Simply wash them, remove the strings, and then add them to your salad whole or cut in half.
15. Glazed
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt two tablespoons of butter. Add one cup of pea pods, one bunch of chopped scallions, a sprinkle of sugar, and a quarter cup of water. Then, cover the skillet and let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes.
Uncover the skillet and let the water boil until it is completely gone. This should take about two minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with a little salt.
Final Thoughts on How to Make Snow Peas (Skyrocket Your Vitamin C)
Snow peas are a great addition to your favorite meals, and they make the perfect side dish. Once you have figure out ways to make them, they will quickly become a favorite.
Try out some of these methods of making snow peas and see which ones you like best. Remember, they aren’t only delicious, but they are packed full of nutrients.