Having peas while growing up was a traditional side dish in my family.
I enjoy them in all aspects of cooking and with most dishes I prepare. They give that extra sweet touch to all dishes and all occasions. And grace my table with most holidays.
Of course, always prepare the same way: butter, lots of it, salt, and pepper.
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Therefore today I am giving my favorite recipe a minor facelift by adding mint and lemon.
Mint and Lemon have a natural affinity with each other.
It brings a bit of freshness and tartness with the sweet balance of the peas. It has become our family’s all-time favorite, and hopefully, it will soon become your favorite.
In this Article
- Mint peas – an Irish and English side dish
- Here are a few helpful tips for the ingredients needed to make this Mint Peas
- Equipment needed
- Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions to create this excellent Mint with Peas
- Fresh Peas or Frozen Peas?
- How to cook frozen peas
- What to serve with your minted peas
- If you enjoy this delicious Mint peas recipe, look at my other recipes.
- Mint Peas
Mint peas – an Irish and English side dish
Originally Mint peas were often used in Irish cooking as a summer staple served alongside lamb or pork.
Headed to England, you will find it more as a bright green side prepared with mushy peas to serve alongside fish and chips.
Either way, the peas stand to the occasion and complement your table perfectly.
Here are a few helpful tips for the ingredients needed to make this Mint Peas
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.
Unsalted butter: this is better for all your cooking needs as it will not change the flavor or dish.
Fresh mint: Abundant all year long, this herb will bring out the flavor of the lemon and balance perfectly with the peas.
Lemon zest: clean and dry your lemon before testing. Make sure you do not go too deep into the white pit, which is very sour.
Equipment needed
I only recommend what I use and love.
Small bowl for mixing the mint, butter, and lemon zest.
Lemon Zester or small grater.
Colander to drain the little left of the water.
Serving plate where you want to showcase your beautiful creation. I suggest a white dish as the peas will stand out better.
Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions to create this excellent Mint with Peas
This will probably be the shortest instruction you will read today.
- Add the peas to a small pan and add water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender.
- Drain the remaining water once the peas are tender and place them in a bowl.
- While the peas cook, prepare the butter, mint, and lemon zest in a small bowl.
- Add the butter-lemon mixture to your peas, mix well, and serve.
Voila! Your side dish is ready to be enjoyed.
Fresh Peas or Frozen Peas?
Nothing replaces the taste of fresh peas. While I love fresh peas, I strongly recommend using frozen peas for this recipe or any recipe that calls for peas.
I always find frozen peas more reliable and easier to be all the same size, which is a bonus in cooking.
Not to mention that frozen, they are always tender. Such is not something that I can say for the fresh one.
How to cook frozen peas
There is absolutely nothing complicated to cooking frozen peas.
Just add them to a small pot with very little water. By the time the water boils and is half reduced, your peas are ready to be added to the next step of this dish: mix them with mint, lemon zest, and butter.
10 minutes. That simple!
What to serve with your minted peas
This side dish could accompany so many main courses. However, it is, in my opinion, best with lamb, beef, and fish.
You can serve it alongside my Rack of Lamb with Parsley for Easter. Or next to this beautiful corned beef with horseradish cream sauce for St. Patrick’s day.
If you enjoy this delicious Mint peas recipe, look at my other recipes.
Spiced Lamb patties and Couscous with Apricots
Parmesan, Pank Crusted Chicken Cutlets
Equipment needed to make this recipe of peas with mint
Mint Peas
Ingredients
- 1½ cups frozen peas
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, oftened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
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 them and mix well. Serve hot
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Sides, Vegetables
- Cuisine: French
- Season: Spring, Summer
- Type: Affordable Gourmet
Did you make this?
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Originally published on March 3, 2020. Updated on February 28, 2023.
Ursula
Peas + butter + mint + lemon zest = OHHH YEAH!! I whipped this up a little while ago to see how well it would work on Easter Sunday with the Lamb I traditionally serve. I am unashamed to confess that I ate ALL of it, by myself. Thank you so much Giangi, I can speak for my entire family that you have given us not just a new favorite, but a new and delicious tradition
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Ursula. That is so sweet, and I am happy you are enjoying my recipe.
Please do not feel bad, but I have a thing for peas, and me too, have found myself eating them all by myself. I make a small bowl just for lunch when I fancy something tasty and quick to eat.
Enjoy!
Mina
Wow! These mint peas are something that I would like to munch on while watching a movie. It looks so good!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, they are delicious.
Enjoy!
Elizabeth
I LOVE this recipe. It tastes absolutely delicious and the mint provides that perfect spring kick. (Because it is nearly spring, right?!)
Giangi Townsend
I want it to be Spring 🙂 Thank you for your feed back, I am so happy you enjoyed it.
Gloria
Hubby has both Irish and English decent, yet I have never made him mint peas. Now I have just what I need to make this and surprise him.
Giangi Townsend
Enjoy and let me know how he likes them.
Elizabeth
Such a great side dish! Thanks for the recipe!
Melody
Simple, elegant and so delicious! Thanks for this easy side!
Giangi Townsend
You are most welcome Melody. Simple and so yummy too.
Thank you for stopping by Giangi’s Kitchen
xoxo Giangi
Swati
Sounds so flavourful and looks very inviting .. will love to use it as filling in chapatis with yogurt chutney!!