Learn How To Cook Snap Peas! Fresh sugar snap peas need no other embellishments than olive oil, salt and pepper in order for their fabulous flavor to shine through! These sauteed snap peas come together in 5 minutes and make a simple, elegant, healthy and thoroughly tasty side dish!
I’ve been enjoying the bounty of my pea harvest the past couple of weeks. I grew extra this year and built bamboo teepee trellises which make the perfect cozy little hangout for kids to enjoy shelter from the sun while snacking on fresh sugar snap peas.
As delicious as they are eaten straight off the vine, there’s something about a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground pepper that really enhances the flavor of snap peas. Sauteed just until crisp-tender, they make a wonderful side dish. And as it turns out it they were the star of the show for our family dinner last night. My kids even requested seconds – score!
How To Cook Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas can be steamed or blanched and then seasoned with a bit of butter, salt, and pepper. But my favorite way to prepare snap peas is to saute them which further brings out their sweetness and flavor and enhances their texture.
This sauteed snap peas recipe is super easy and super quick to make taking all of 5 minutes to cook.
Simply remove the end stems and the strings of each pod, throw them in a large skillet with some olive oil and saute for 3-5 few minutes with salt and freshly ground pepper until they’re crisp-tender. And that’s it, they’re ready to serve!
Serve immediately and enjoy!
For another thoroughly delicious way to enjoy your fresh sweet peas, be sure to try our Pea Risotto with Pancetta and Basil!

How to Cook Snap Peas
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh sugar snap peas , remove stem ends and strings
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the snap peas and stir to coat with oil. Add the salt and pepper. Saute for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the snap peas are tender but still crispy. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Rachel says
Cooking tonight with roasted chicken and mashed potatoes!!
Laurel says
Really tasty and so simple. My husband HATES peas and he ate a full serving! It started as a tentative taste off my plate, then he asked for the whole bowl to be put next to him.
Kimberly Killebrew says
What a great win, Laurel, thanks so much for sharing and for the feedback!
Mavis says
I live in a retired peoples home. The chef cooked us sugar peas in the pod until they were mush and served them to us. What’s your comment?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Mavis, I’d tell the chef to go back to cooking school ;)
Donna Pope says
It is so good
Luna @ Healthy Kitchen 101 says
Looks good. This reminds me of how funny it when snap peas are my favourite snack at bars/pubs, I’ve never done anything with it in my kitchen xD This time surely will do!!
wilhelmina says
I love sugar snap peas an this is a fabulous way to cook them! So yummy!
Natalie says
Put a bowl in front of me & I could eat the whole thing!! My kids love them, too, which is a bonus!
Lisalia says
Yummy! I always overcook these. But following your instructions they turned out perfectly!