How to Cook Canned Peas

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Wondering how to cook canned peas so they actually taste good? You’ve come to the right place! Learn how to cook canned peas in the microwave or on the stovetop along with tips and tricks for making them taste delicious in the process!

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Eating canned peas always reminds me of being a kid. They were my favorite vegetable and I’d sometime eat them right out of the can without even heating them up!

Nowadays I still love eating canned peas but I have learned some tricks along the way for making them even tastier…no more bland peas here! Whether you are cooking them in the microwave or on the stovetop, these canned peas will be full of flavor.

Cooking canned peas in the microwave

It is very fast and easy to cook canned peas in the microwave.

Drain the liquid off the peas and place in a bowl.
Add two pats of butter (1-2 tablespoons) over the top of the peas.
Microwave the peas for 1 minute 30 seconds or until peas are hot and the butter is melted.
Season to taste. You can season with salt and pepper or get creative with seasoning salt or your favorite herb blend.

Cooking canned peas on the stovetop

I prefer to cook my peas on the stovetop when I have time because I feel you can get even more flavor from them this way.

Drain the peas and add them to a small saucepan.
Pour beef or chicken broth over the peas until they are just covered.
Add 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder along with 1-2 tablespoons of butter.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once boiling remove from heat.
Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Tips for best results

Canned peas are already cooked so you do not want to overcook them or they will get mushy.
Always drain the liquid out of the can before heating. If you want more liquid add it back with broth or stock.
Rinsing the peas after you drain them can help get rid of excess sodium that is often present in canned vegetables.
Different varieties of peas will have slightly different tastes. Most canned peas are sweet peas but small varieties will be slightly sweeter. Choose your favorite!

How to add flavor to canned peas

Add fat

There’s no getting around it, fat=flavor. I like to add butter to my peas to add that flavorful fat to them but you can also try a little olive oil or even a little crumbled cooked bacon for that added fat!

Add seasonings

Many of us season our peas with salt and pepper but don’t stop there! Onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, Mrs. Dash, and Lawry’s seasoning salt are all seasonings I like to experiment with adding to my canned peas while cooking.

FAQs

Do you have to cook canned peas?

No, canned peas are already cooked, you can eat them straight out of the can (like I used to!) but cooking them gives you the opportunity to add a ton of flavor and make them taste even more delicious.

What is the liquid in canned peas?

The liquid in canned peas is mixture of water, salt (as a preservative), and starch from the peas themselves. The liquid is very salt (unless using no sodium added varieties) which is why we recommend draining and even rinsing before you cook canned peas.

How do you make canned peas taste better?

Any seasonings you can add to peas can help make them taste better to you. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, seasoning salt, spice blend, and even popcorn seasonings can help season peas.

Storage

Unopened cans of peas last a VERY long time but once you open and cook them you will want to keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!