Mint Peas with Lemon and Butter is a simple side dish that takes me right back to the peas we enjoyed so often at our family table growing up. I love their natural sweetness, whether I am making a comforting French peas side dish or adding them to a quick pasta with peas and bacon.

For this simple recipe, I gave my usual buttered peas a fresh little twist with chopped mint and lemon zest. The mint adds freshness, while the lemon balances the peas’ sweetness, creating an easy vegetable side dish ready in just 15 minutes.

Mint pease with lemon and butter served in a white dish, Lemon and mint lay around it for decoration.

Recipe Overview: Mint Peas with Lemon and Butter

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Servings: 4 people
  • Cook Method: Stovetop
  • Flavor & Texture: Sweet and tender peas with creamy butter, fresh mint, and a bright touch of lemon.
  • Difficulty: Easy. Only four ingredients and one saucepan are needed.
  • Why this Recipe? A quick, elegant vegetable side dish that turns everyday frozen peas into something fresh and special.
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I love this combination so much that I also use peas and fresh mint in my seared salmon with peas, potatoes, and mint, where those bright flavors balance the richness of the salmon beautifully.

In this Article

Mint peas – an Irish and English side dish

Minted peas have always felt like one of those simple, comforting side dishes that belong on a family table. In Irish cooking, they are often enjoyed during the warmer months alongside lamb or pork, which is a pairing I particularly love.

Travel over to England, and peas take on another familiar role, often served as mushy peas with classic fish and chips. I have always enjoyed how such a humble ingredient can feel completely at home with so many different dishes.

However you serve them, peas bring a beautiful freshness, a touch of sweetness, and that lovely pop of green that makes the whole plate feel more inviting.

A Note From Giangi

Ready in 15 minutes. A wonderfully quick vegetable side dish for busy weeknights or holiday dinners.

Only four ingredients – Frozen peas, butter, fresh mint, and lemon zest are all you need.

Fresh and flavorful – Sweet peas, bright lemon, and refreshing mint balance each other beautifully.

Perfect with so many main dishes, serve these minted peas with lamb, pork, beef, chicken, or fish.

Frozen peas make it effortless; no shelling or lengthy preparation is required.

I love peas so much that I will often make myself a small bowl for lunch, simply tossed with a little butter, which is probably why this fresh mint and lemon version has become such a favorite in my kitchen.

Giangi

Key Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make this mint peas recipe.

This is a quick introduction. Please read the recipe for complete instructions. 

Frozen peas: Small peas are the best because they are tender and cook faster. I use frozen peas often because they are reliable and naturally sweet. They are also wonderful in my easy cold pea salad with lemon and red onion when you want a lighter side dish.

Unsalted butter: Adds richness and coats the peas beautifully while allowing you to control the seasoning of the finished dish.

Fresh mint: Abundant all year long, this herb will bring out the lemon’s flavor and balance perfectly with the peas.

Lemon zest: clean and dry your lemon before zesting. Make sure you do not go too deep into the white pith, which is very sour. 

Variations and Substitutions

  • You can use good-quality olive oil instead of butter for a lighter version. Add it gradually so the peas do not become oily.
  • Fresh peas are wonderful when in season. Shell them first and cook until just tender before adding the mint butter.
  • Finely minced shallots can add a delicate onion flavor without overpowering the mint.
  • For a brighter flavor, add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.

Fresh Peas or Frozen Peas?

Nothing quite replaces the sweetness of fresh peas when they are at their best. However, for this recipe, I usually reach for frozen petite peas. They are consistently sweet and tender, uniform in size, and available year-round, making them wonderfully reliable.

I also love that frozen peas require no preparation and cook in just a few minutes. They work beautifully in recipes where they cook directly with the other ingredients, such as my quick penne pasta with peas and bacon.

How to Make Mint Peas

This will probably be the shortest instruction you will read today.

Peas with water placed in a small pan to bring to a boil.

Step 1: Add the peas to a small pan and add water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. Drain and return to pan.

Creating the mint butter by blending mint, butter and lemon zest.

Step 2: While the peas cook, prepare the butter, mint, and lemon zest in a small bowl.

Cooked peas with the butter mint mixture.

Step 3: Drain the remaining water once the peas are tender and place them back into the pan. Add the mixed mint lemon butter.

The peas are ready to be enjoyed once the butter has melted.

Step 4: Mix well and serve.

Voila! Your side dish is ready to be enjoyed. 

Giangi’s Pro Tips

  • Do not overcook the peas. You want them tender while still maintaining their bright green color.
  • Use petite frozen peas when possible. They tend to be sweeter and more tender.
  • Add the mint butter after draining the peas. This keeps the mint fresh and aromatic rather than cooking away its delicate flavor.
  • Zest only the yellow part of the lemon. The white pith underneath is bitter.
  • Serve immediately. These peas are at their best while warm and glossy with the melted mint butter.
Ready to be enjoyed peas served in a white serving dish.

What to serve with your minted peas

These mint peas are wonderfully versatile. Their natural sweetness and fresh lemon-mint flavor make them especially delicious with lamb, pork, and fish.

For a classic pairing, serve them with my Rack of Lamb with Parsley. The freshness of the mint is a beautiful contrast to the rich, tender lamb.

These mint peas are also a wonderful side dish for my corned beef with homemade horseradish cream, where their fresh, slightly sweet flavor balances the richness of the beef beautifully.

For something lighter, try them alongside Sole Meunière with lemon brown butter. The lemon in both recipes ties the entire plate together without overwhelming the delicate fish.

They are also delicious with a simple pan-seared pork tenderloin, especially when you want an easy weeknight dinner with a fresh vegetable on the side.

And if salmon is on the menu, Salmon with Beurre Maître d’Hôtel is another beautiful pairing. Its parsley-lemon butter complements the mint and lemon in the peas beautifully.

Storing and Reheating

Store: Keep leftover minted peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat: Warm them gently in a small saucepan over low heat. Add a small amount of butter if needed to refresh the sauce.

I do not recommend refreezing peas; the texture will not be as good once reheated.

Mint Peas FAQs

Can I use frozen peas to make minted peas?

Yes. Frozen peas work beautifully and are actually my preference for this recipe because they are consistently tender, sweet, and convenient. There is no need to thaw them before cooking.

Can I make minted peas ahead of time?

You can prepare them a few hours ahead, but they are best served immediately. Reheat them gently over low heat so the peas remain tender and bright.

What kind of mint is best with peas?

Fresh spearmint is ideal because its flavor is bright and refreshing without overpowering the peas’ natural sweetness.

Can I make minted peas without butter?

Yes. Olive oil can replace butter. Add it gradually and taste as you go so the peas remain light rather than oily.

A spoonfull of peas ready to be eaten.

More Pea Recipes and Easy Sides You Will Love

If you tried this Mint Peas or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

Mint Peas with Lemon and Butter

5 from 9 votes
Mint Peas with Lemon and Butter served in a white round serving plate.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Giangi Townsend
Sweet and tender peas tossed with butter, fresh mint, and lemon zest make an easy, flavorful side dish ready in just 15 minutes.
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Ingredients 

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan add the peas and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. 
  • Meanwhile in a small bowl mix the butter, mint and lemon zest. 
  • Drain the peas and place them in a serving bowl. Add the mint-lemon butter to the peas and mix well. Serve immediately

Notes

  • Do not overcook the peas. You want them tender while still maintaining their bright green color.
  • Use petite frozen peas when possible. They tend to be sweeter and more tender.
  • Add the mint butter after draining the peas. This keeps the mint fresh and aromatic rather than cooking away its delicate flavor.
  • Zest only the yellow part of the lemon. The white pith underneath is bitter.
  • Serve immediately. These peas are at their best while warm and glossy with the melted mint butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 24.1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

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