Last Updated on 14th July 2023 by
Did you know that you could cook just about any vegetable in the microwave and have it come out tasting just as fresh and crunchy as if you steamed it? Microwaving your vegetables is a simple way to cook them simply, and you don’t have to sacrifice any texture or taste when you cook them this way.
I use the microwave to cook all sorts of vegetables, ranging from broccoli and cauliflower to corn and carrots. I want to share with you today how to cook sugar snap peas using your microwave. It is the faster and simpler way to cook them, so it’s definitely my preferred method when I want to save a little time and make my cooking easier on myself.
If I’m cooking a large meal with a number of different dishes, I’m going to use the microwave as much as possible to minimise my workload. That’s especially true since I can keep the food tasting just as good in the microwave as it would be if I cooked it on the stove.
Table of Contents
Step by Step: How to Cook Fresh Sugar Snap Peas in Microwave
So, I’m going to show you how to cook fresh sugar snap peas using just your microwave. Next time you want to save a little time in the kitchen, try this method for tasty, perfectly cooked sugar snap peas.
1. Sugar Snap Peas: The Prep Work
When we cook and eat sugar snap peas, the ends usually get snipped off. This is a tougher part of the sugar snap pea, and you probably don’t want to eat it.
2. Adding Flavor to Your Sugar Snap Peas
It’s not a bad idea to give your peas a little seasoning too. With this recipe for how to cook sugar peas, I will give you a few ingredients you can add to the recipe to make your sugar snap peas more flavorful. For a pound of sugar snap peas, I add in about a tablespoon of soy sauce and a teaspoon of sesame oil.
3. The Microwaving Process
Start by placing your sugar snap peas into a microwave-safe dish once they have been trimmed and cleaned. Add in your seasonings and stir that around to ensure the peas get coated properly and completely.
Then, cook the sugar snap peas until they become crisp and tender. How long to cook sugar snap peas? With this small amount, I cook them for about 3-4 minutes. That should be enough to make them tender enough to eat.
After they have cooked in the microwave, you can stir them and serve them. Because the peas take so little time to cook, I usually wait to cook them for right before I am done cooking the rest of the meal so that they will still be crispy and warm when I am ready to serve the rest of the food.
Fresh Microwaved Sugar Snap Peas
Ingredients
- 1 pound of fresh sugar snap peas
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare your sugar snap peas by snipping off the ends. This part is typically tougher and not as pleasant to eat.
- In a bowl, combine the trimmed sugar snap peas, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir the mixture to ensure that the peas are properly and completely coated in the seasoning.
- Transfer the seasoned sugar snap peas to a microwave-safe dish.
- Microwave the sugar snap peas for about 3-4 minutes, or until they become crisp and tender.
- Once cooked, stir the peas and serve them immediately for the best texture and warmth.
Notes
- Be sure to wash your sugar snap peas thoroughly before trimming and cooking.
- The cooking time may vary slightly based on the power of your microwave. Start with 3 minutes, and if the peas are not as tender as you’d like, continue to microwave them in 30-second increments.
- This dish is best served immediately after cooking, while the peas are still crisp and warm.
- Feel free to add additional flavorings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or a sprinkle of salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes before microwaving.
Alternative Cooking Methods for Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar Snap Peas- How to Cook It Other Ways
Maybe you don’t have a microwave or you prefer another cooking method. I have you covered with a few different methods for how to cook frozen sugar snap peas.
Stove Top Cooking
In order to cook sugar snap peas on the stove, you should clean and trim them first. Then, place them into a small saucepan with enough water to submerge them. How to cook sugar snap peas on stove in a pot of water? Just turn the heat up to medium and cook for about three minutes. You do not need to cover the pot, and the peas should cook until they are tender.
Stir Fry Sugar Snap Peas
How to cook sugar snap peas in stir fry? This is probably my favorite way to have these peas, and they are a traditional component in Chinese stir fry dishes. Just cook them with the rest of the food in your wok or frying pan.
It should only take a few minutes for them to crisp and become tender. They may char slightly and become a little black, but that is okay. No matter what method you are using to cook the sugar snap peas, you will only need a few minutes of cooking for them to be ready to eat.
Roasting and Grilling Sugar Snap Peas
We have covered how to cook sugar snap peas boil method and stir fry method. You can also roast them, though. If you heat up the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, the peas will cook on a baking sheet in about 9 minutes. You may want to coat them in some cooking oil while they are in the oven or garnish them with parmesan cheese or salt when they come out of the oven.
You can grill sugar snap peas as well. They make a great addition to your cookouts. Just cook them on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes. They come out beautifully grilled and tender when you bite into them.
It is a good idea to use a grilling basket when grilling sugar snap peas on an outdoor grill. This keeps them from falling through the grill. You could also use skewers to keep them in place.
In the Pod: Cooking Whole Sugar Snap Peas
How to Cook Sugar Snap Peas in the Pod
All of the recipes I have given you here for how to cook sugar snap peas can be done in or out of the pod. Most people prefer to keep these peas in the pod, so don’t worry about taking them out to cook them. In stir fry or as a side dish, the most common way to serve sugar snap peas is to keep them in the pod.
Seasoning Ideas for Sugar Snap Peas
What to Season Sugar Snap Peas with
There are lots of ingredients that you could use to season the sugar snap peas. I have suggested a few already- like parmesan and salt, but you could use soy sauce, lemon juice, black pepper, and olive oil as well. They also work good in larger dishes, combining with other foods and absorbing some of the seasoning you put into the dish.
I like to add breadcrumbs to my peas as well when I cook them, and this gives them a crunchy texture that goes well with the crispy, tender peas.
There are a number of different cheeses you could use to garnish them with too, like feta cheese or shredded mozzarella. You could cook them up in sweet chilli pepper flakes or in a curry, as they are a common part of Pad Thai curry. Try them a few different ways to get the most out of this nutritious and delicious vegetable.
FAQs
How does microwaving affect the nutritional content of sugar snap peas?
Microwaving is actually one of the cooking methods that best preserves the nutritional content of vegetables, including sugar snap peas. Because the cooking time is short and uses little water, it minimizes the leaching of water-soluble vitamins into the cooking water.
What precautions should I take when microwaving sugar snap peas to ensure they cook evenly and don’t dry out?
To ensure even cooking and prevent drying out, it’s recommended to wash the sugar snap peas and leave a little water clinging to them before microwaving. You should also spread them out evenly in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plate to help steam the peas. Stirring them once or twice during cooking can also promote even cooking.
Can I add seasonings or flavors to the snap peas before microwaving, and if so, which do you recommend?
Yes, you can definitely add seasonings before microwaving. A simple combination of butter, salt, and pepper works well. If you want to get more creative, you could try adding minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Remember to add these seasonings after microwaving, as some seasonings might change in flavor or texture if microwaved.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!
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