Weeknight vegetable sides don’t get faster or easier than these microwave frozen peas! No need to defrost, just microwave straight from the freezer for tasty tender peas that have to be the easiest veggie side ever.
Why I love microwave frozen peas
- Super Fast – you can have tender peas ready in less time than it takes to say “Oops I forgot to make a side dish”.
- The hands-off cooking method frees you from the stovetop!
- Microwaving frozen peas steams them gently to the perfect texture, without risking overcooking in boiling water.
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with step-by-step instructions on how to cook frozen peas in the microwave, or read on for all the details.
What do you need?
Frozen peas
You can use either frozen baby peas or regular-sized/ garden peas for this recipe. Both can be cooked straight from the freezer, with no need to thaw before using.
Note: You can also cook fresh peas in the microwave, but they will need a splash of water added to generate enough steam during cooking.
A microwave safe container + cover
To cook peas in your microwave, you need a microwave-safe dish. This can be any bowl or container specifically marked as safe for microwave use.
Covering the container with a well-fitting microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with some holes poked is important to allow steam to circulate and promote even cooking. Always use caution when removing the lid after microwaving due to hot steam.
How to cook frozen peas in the microwave
1
Place the frozen peas in the microwave-safe container and cover with a lid, or cover tightly with plastic wrap and pierce a few holes.
Place the peas in the microwave, try to get them close to the center of the microwave so they cook evenly.
2
Microwave peas for 2 minutes* (for a 1000W microwave), stirring them once half-way through the cooking time. When they are done, they should be bright green, hot throughout, and tender.
*The key to cooking frozen peas in the microwave perfectly, is adjusting the cooking time for your microwave’s power and for the amount of peas you are cooking. See below for more details on adjusting the cooking times.
How long to microwave frozen peas
The cooking time for frozen peas in the microwave depends on the power of your microwave, and the quantity of peas you are cooking.
1 cup/ 170g of frozen peas takes around 2 minutes to cook at 1000W. So if you are cooking more or less than that, or if your microwave has a different power level, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
Here’s a quick reference of estimated cooking times for different quantities and powers:
| Wattage | ½ cup | 1 cup | 2 cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500-700W | 2½ minutes | 4 minutes | 6 minutes |
| 700-900W | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 4½ minutes |
| 1000-1200W | 1½ minutes | 2 minutes | 3 minutes |
Variations and serving ideas
- For minted peas, add some fresh mint leaves before microwaving.
- Swirl in a tablespoon of butter after cooking, or try garlic butter for added flavour.
- Top with shaved Parmesan for a savory contrast to the peas’ sweetness.
- Sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon over peas for a salty crunch.
Microwave Frozen Peas
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 170 g frozen peas (Note 1)
Directions
- Place frozen peas in a microwave-safe bowl with a well-fitting lid (or you can use microwave-safe plastic wrap with a few holes pierced.)
- Cook frozen peas in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once during cooking. Time is for a 1000W microwave, see notes to convert for other microwave power.
- Carefully remove the lid from the bowl, it is full of hot steam, which will all escape when the lid is removed.
- Serve peas hot, topped with butter. Enjoy!
Notes
| Wattage | ½ cup | 1 cup | 2 cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500-700W | 2½ minutes | 4 minutes | 6 minutes |
| 700-900W | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 4½ minutes |
| 1000-1200W | 1½ minutes | 2 minutes | 3 minutes |
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
