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7 Healthy Ways to Use up Frozen Peas, the OG High-Fiber Freezer Staple

Emily Laurence

April 18, 2020

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Photo: Food Confidence

There are some freezer foods that find their way onto the dinner table quickly. Frozen cauliflower pizzas, butternut squash ravioli, and even stir-fry veggie blends tend to be used up pretty fast (at least in my house). But then there are the foods that just sit in there, getting pushed to the back of the freezer, slowly getting covered with frost. Frozen green peas are definitely one of those foods.

Even though those little green guys are nutritious—full of fiber and an unexpectedly good source of protein (one cup has about eight grams)—they're pretty basic. There's certainly nothing flashy about frozen peas. Here's the thing though: They're super versatile and easy to use. There's no peeling, slicing, or dicing required. You can literally dump them, as is, straight into whatever you're making. Thanks to their mild taste profile, they can be worked into a wide range of meals, too.

Need some proof? Rounded up here are seven recipes with frozen peas. All easy, all meals you'll actually want to eat. Time to dust that freezer burn off your bag and get to work.

Keep reading for 7 recipes with frozen peas that will make you regret burying them in your freezer:

1. QUINOA AND PEAS

One way to turn your frozen peas into more of a meal is to pair it with a whole grain like quinoa. Because the entire dish is soft and there's nothing to cut up, this is an entree even young kids can eat.

2. TUNA PASTA WITH PEAS AND PARMESAN

If you want to up the protein in your dinner, another pantry staple can help in that department: tuna. Pair both with your pasta (or alt-pasta) for an easy dinner that only dirties one pot.

3. SWEET PEA GNOCCHI WITH TARRAGON PEA CREAM

This peas-and-pasta dish is a good one to make on a night when you're feeling fancy. The gnocchi is made by blending the frozen peas with russet potatoes. For the sauce, coconut cream works in place of heavy cream, so feel free to adjust the recipe as needed.

frozen peas recipes — Photo: From My Bowl

4. GREEN PEA SOUP

If you're eating dinner late because, you know, life, this easy soup is a good go-to. Here, the peas are mixed with coconut milk and vegetable broth for a super creamy soup you'll want in your regular rotation.

recipes with frozen peas — Photo: Food Confidence

5. BLACK BEAN PASTA AND PEAS

Pasta and peas is a classic combo, and varying the type of pasta you use can give your bowl a much more interesting flavor profile. Black bean pasta, used here, is also high in both fiber and protein.

peas and asparagus — Photo: Once Upon A Chef

6. SAUTEED ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

This dish give a whole new meaning to going green. Pair your peas with frozen asparagus, sauteeing them on the stove with butter, salt, and pepper. To finish, drizzle some sweet honey on top and you have a delicious vegetable side dish in 15 minutes flat.

peas-rice-the-spruce-eats — Photo: The Spruce Eats

7. CREAMY RICE PILAF AND PEAS

It's amazing what simply varying the texture and adding a few herbs can do to elevate a dish. Here, vegetable broth and butter is used to give the rice a rich, creamy texture and a handful of dried herbs ensure each bite is packed with flavor.