Garlic Sugar Snap Peas – Slim Kitchen

Garlic Sugar Snap Peas take less than five minutes to make and are the most delicious side dish to any meal. These healthy, slightly sweet vegetables are a kid’s favorite and a great way to get everyone eating vegetables. Plus, peas are rich in vitamins and minerals. Serve with healthy Kung Pao Chicken or Honey Garlic Salmon.

Sweet peas are one of my favorite vegetables and I often dip them into hummus, add them to stir-fries, and stir-fry them as a quick side dish. I love their slightly sweet flavor and crunch. This garlic sautéed sweet pea recipe is somewhat modeled after PF Chang’s sweet pea side dish. Peas are cooked quickly in coconut or vegetable oil and garlic until just cooked through and starting to brown. Then stir in a little soy sauce and black pepper. Ready in less than 5 minutes and delicious.

Let’s talk kids and vegetables. Getting our kids to eat their vegetables is frustrating for most of us. My vegetable-loving one-year-old turned into a two-year-old who won’t touch vegetables unless they’re hidden in rice, pasta, or scrambled eggs. While I have no problem with hiding vegetables to ensure she gets nutritious meals, I also want her to eat regular vegetables as well. After reading a lot about kids and vegetables, I started incorporating whole vegetables (and a few hidden ones) into every meal and encouraging her to eat them. I hope if they keep coming she’ll start eating them.

So far, that actually works for these garlic sugar snap peas. The first night she moved them around, the second night she licked the garlic off, and the third night she ate about four. For us, this is a win and it encourages me to keep trying new vegetables. If you think I’m going to make these easy sauteed peas on repeat because she’s eating them, you wouldn’t be wrong. I’m definitely the mom that kicks things over and over again once we find healthy meals and snacks that she loves.

How to prepare sugar snap peas?

One thing I don’t like about peas is the preparation they require, and to be honest I usually buy them pre-prepared to save some time. However, if you buy fresh peas, you will need to cut off the ends and peel the strings off the peas. I find sometimes the easiest way is to gently snap the tip off one end and pull it off in one motion with the string. If you’re not sure how to do this, look for video tutorials or buy prepared peas.

How long does it take to cook peas?

It depends on how you cook the peas. If you cook them in a skillet on the stovetop, they will become tender-crisp in just 3-5 minutes. If you decide to cook them, it will take about 3 minutes. If baking in the oven, bake in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. In all cases, you want to cook the peas until they are tender and crispy, not mushy. The best sweet peas still have a little crunch and are bright green.

Are sweet peas low carb?

Despite the sugar in their name, sweet peas have about the same carbohydrate content as snow peas and regular peas. Each half cup contains approximately 5.25 grams of carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb or ketogenic diets when used in moderation. Because of their sweeter flavor, they are popular both raw and cooked. Many low-carb eaters like to add them to stir-fries and stir-fries to add a bit of natural sweetness without adding too many carbs.

What can you eat with peas?

Normally we look for side dishes to go with our main course recipes, but today let’s think a little more. These peas are versatile and pair well with many different main dishes. I often serve them with a quick grilled or baked protein like chicken or pork tenderloin. They also pair perfectly with Asian flavors like Skillet Seafood Chicken or Ten-Minute Soy Honey Salmon. As a vegetarian main course, these peas are delicious served over a bowl of brown rice with chickpeas, carrots, cabbage, and homemade peanut butter.