How To Cook Snow Peas

This primer on How To Cook Snow Peas will help you make a green, Asian-inspired side dish or a healthy nibble.

I have a thing for fresh, crunchy vegetables, and I especially love crunchy vegetables when they’re one of the first harvests in my annual garden. There’s something special about the first homegrown veggie harvest of the year, and in my backyard, it’s usually a handful of snow peas.

Snow peas are easy to grow, easy to cook, and very easy to eat. They barely take any time at all in a hot pan with just a little bit of oil, and boom, you have the perfect side dish. They brighten up any dish with both color and fresh green flavor, and they pick up any seasoning you add to them like a dream. I couldn’t ask for more out of the first ripe vegetable of the year!

This recipe for snow peas is simple, but it uses several strong seasonings—sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic—to create an Asian-inspired flavor combination. The result is a side of snow peas so flavorful, you’ll be happy eating them by themselves as a snack! But if you cook up some fluffy rice, throw these delicious snow peas on top, and add a protein, you’ll have a great meal!

Are Snow Peas Healthy?

Yes! Snow peas are naturally high in vitamins A, C, and K, and they also provide a small dose of plant-based protein. In addition, they’re rich in dietary fiber. The recipe is low in both calories and saturated fat, as most of the oil used is high in healthy unsaturated fats. Overall, this recipe is suitable for vegans and is Paleo and Whole30-friendly, so it can be incorporated into a wide variety of diets. You can easily make this dish gluten-free by using tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.

How To Make Your Snow Peas Incredible

Snow peas are easy to cook, and this recipe is pretty simple. But there are always ways to hone your cooking skills, even with the simplest of dishes. Here are a few tips and tricks to get perfect snow peas!

• De-stringing the Snow Peas: To remove the strings, fold the stem over to the straighter side of each pea, and pull the stem down the side of the pea to pull out the string. If the other side’s string doesn’t also come out, flip the pea over and repeat the process (even though there isn’t a second stem, it will work if you use the other tip).
• Garlic and Ginger: I recommend chopping the garlic and ginger as finely as you can. Even small pieces can have very strong flavor. Plus, no one wants to bite into a big piece of garlic or ginger!
• Mind the Heat: You want the snow peas cooked but still crunchy, not charred, so don’t crank that heat up too much.
• Be Smart with the Soy: Hold off on the soy sauce until you’re almost done sautéing your peas. If you add it too early, your peas will go salty and dark.
• Don’t Skip the Toppings: I love the texture the chili flakes and toasted sesame seeds bring! You can also add chopped green onions for an even tastier touch.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these bright snow peas over a bowl of brown rice. Add a protein, such as this Crispy Baked Tofu or a Fried Egg to make it a simple and nutritious meal. I personally love these snow peas in noodle dishes, such as these Sesame Noodles or these delicious Korean Noodles. Or, just eat them by themselves as a healthy snack!

Recipe