How to cook frozen green peas. How long to cook frozen green peas: cooking time, types of freezing, benefits and harms, tasty and healthy recipes Frozen green peas recipes

The beneficial properties of green peas have been known to people since ancient times. Historians believe that peas were the first vegetable that humanity began to cultivate.

Properly frozen green peas retain all the beneficial properties of fresh peas and are available year-round. How and how much to cook frozen green peas will depend on the type of freezing and the quality of the selected product.

The benefits of green peas

The main beneficial property of green peas can be considered the content of high-quality vegetable protein, which is easily absorbed by the body. Green peas also contain a large amount of iron, as well as various antioxidants, which helps strengthen the immune system. Green peas are also rich in B vitamins and amino acids, which are responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

However, if you consume green peas in large quantities, it can lead to minor gastrointestinal problems. Allergic reactions are extremely rare.

How to choose frozen peas

It is best to freeze green peas at home, then you can be completely confident in their quality. Also in this case it will be easier to calculate how long to cook frozen green peas.

But if this is not possible, when choosing frozen peas in a store you need to pay attention to several external factors.

The packaging of peas must not be damaged, the peas inside must not be stuck together, this means that the freezing technology has been violated. You also need to check the date of manufacture of the product: frozen peas can be stored for no more than two years.

Boil frozen peas correctly

When preparing a dish, the question often arises about how long to cook frozen green peas. There is no definite answer to this question; it all depends on what dish it will be used for and what condition it was in when it was frozen.

Before you start cooking peas, you need to carefully inspect them, select and discard any damaged or discolored peas. If this is not done, the appearance and taste of the prepared dish may suffer.

There are several ways to cook peas. How long you need to cook frozen green peas will depend on which method is chosen.

The best way to preserve all the beneficial characteristics of green peas is to steam them. You can also cook it in the microwave. This option can be used if you plan to make porridge or puree from peas in the future.

To later use green peas in salads, you can simply boil them in water. There are several recipes for preparing this salad component.

Frozen peas for salad

Boiling green peas for a salad is not at all difficult, you just need to follow a few rules:

• To cook frozen peas, bring the water to a boil. It should completely cover all the peas.
• You need to add salt and a little sugar to the water; this will preserve the rich green color of the peas during cooking.
• To keep the peas intact, it is better to throw them into boiling water without defrosting. You can pre-rinse frozen peas under cold running water to remove any possible impurities.
• You can add a small sprig of mint to the cooking water. Its fresh aroma will not spoil the smell of peas, but will complement it and make it even more pleasant.

You can determine for yourself how long to cook frozen green peas for a salad only during the cooking process. This will depend on the variety of peas and their age at the time of freezing. The approximate cooking time for frozen peas is 5-7 minutes. When the peas become soft, they are ready.

Place the boiled peas in a colander and wait for the water to drain.

You can change the cooking technology a little. In this case, the taste of boiled green peas will resemble the taste of canned ones.

As in the first option, you need to add salt and sugar to the water for boiling the peas. Then place the washed peas in boiling water and cook over low heat until half cooked.

Then add 1 tablespoon of natural apple cider vinegar and continue to cook until the peas are soft. Frozen peas prepared in this way are great not only for the popular Olivier salad, but also for many other recipes.

Steaming frozen peas

When preparing green peas in this way, the maximum amount of nutrients is retained. Therefore, this option is good for preparing dishes for children.

The easiest way to cook frozen peas is in a steamer. But if it’s not there, it’s okay.

You can bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a saucepan, place a steaming container and a colander on top. You don't have to defrost the peas, but you need to rinse them under cold running water.

How long to cook frozen green peas for a child or steam them will depend on the quality of the peas and the planned dish. For example, to prepare pea puree for feeding a baby over 8 months old, you will need to boil the peas for 15-20 minutes until they are completely soft, and only then grind them into puree.

And if you make pea porridge for a 3-year-old child, then you need to cook frozen peas for about 10 minutes. Then cool a little, grind with a blender, add butter and a little salt. Green pea dishes contain a lot of easily digestible vegetable protein, which is vital for a baby’s growing body.

Very often, how long to cook frozen green peas cannot be calculated in advance. Often the readiness of peas has to be determined literally by eye.

What can you cook from green peas?

You can prepare a huge number of dishes with the addition of green peas. It is an indispensable ingredient in many vegetable and meat salads; it is often used as a light side dish for main dishes. Pea porridge and boiled green pea puree are popular in baby food. These dishes differ in how long to cook the frozen green peas to prepare them.

In cooking, there are also many recipes for making soup with green peas.

Light Green Pea Soup Recipe

There are options for light vegetable soups with the addition of green peas. They are usually prepared in vegetable broth or poultry broth.

For the recipe you will need:

• vegetable or chicken broth (about 1.5 liters);
• diced potatoes;
• diced carrots;
• frozen green peas (about 100 g);
• green onions;
• garlic (2-3 cloves);
• hard cheese;
• homemade crackers.

Boil the broth, add chopped potatoes and carrots, bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes. Then add green peas (to prepare the soup, it is better to defrost them first).

How long to cook frozen green peas in soup will depend on the quality of the peas themselves, but no more than 5-7 minutes. Cool the vegetables cooked in the broth a little, then blend with a blender until the mass becomes homogeneous.

Add green onions, chopped celery and chopped garlic to the creamy soup. Serve the soup after sprinkling it with grated cheese and homemade croutons.

The popularity of frozen peas is growing every year. This is due to the fact that you can prepare a lot of tasty and healthy dishes from it. Peas contain many useful substances and can be included in the menu of people who are watching their weight, since they have very low calorie content.

Features of frozen product

Green frozen peas are completely ready to eat. It does not need to be cleaned, as this is done before freezing. Before this, the beans are cleaned and blanched. Thanks to this, the product can be eaten immediately after defrosting. It can be added to salads or used to decorate finished dishes. If there is a need for cooking, then you need to use a minimum amount of water.

Before purchasing, you should carefully inspect the packaging. It should contain information about the expiration date and manufacturer of the product. If you take the package in your hands, you can feel how the peas are well separated from each other. If they stick together, then you should refuse the purchase. Pieces of ice in the bag indicate that the product has been defrosted several times.

In some stores you can buy frozen green peas by weight. It is unlikely that you will be able to prepare delicious dishes from it. This is due to the fact that the product is constantly in contact with air. You should only buy vegetables that have been stored in a sealed bag.

It is known that frozen vegetables retain more vitamins than canned ones. The same rule applies to peas. It contains the following vitamins:

This product is also a source of ascorbic acid, choline, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Despite all its benefits, some people have to give up the product. It is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to legumes.

Methods for cooking peas

The easiest way to cook is frozen green peas. To do this you will need a saucepan, water, salt and sugar. First you need to bring the water to a boil. Then salt and sugar are added to it. Some ladies who are watching their weight are not ready to add sugar, as it contains a lot of calories, but it is thanks to it that the beans retain their rich color.

After boiling, add green beans to the water. They need to be cooked for 5 minutes. Then the contents of the pan are poured into a colander and washed with cold water. After this, you can serve the vegetables on the table.

Some housewives use apple cider vinegar to cook beans. For 1 liter of water they take 40 grams of sugar and salt, as well as 25 ml of vinegar. First, the water is brought to a boil, then salt, sugar, vinegar and peas are added to it. The product should be cooked for 10 minutes.

You can cook frozen green peas in the oven. For this you need special clay pots. The beans are baked with other vegetables in their own juice for about 20 minutes.

Stewing is also an easy way to cook frozen green peas. The recipe involves the use of butter and sour cream. Some housewives add tomato sauce to the pan. The peas should simmer for about 15 minutes. At the very end of cooking, salt it to taste.

Most popular recipes

Many girls watch their weight, so they are forced to give up their favorite mashed potatoes. They'll love the delicious pea side dish, which contains significantly fewer calories. To prepare it use:

First you need to wash and chop the green onions. Then heat the oil in a frying pan and add onion and mint to it. After two minutes, add the peas to the pan. After a minute, add milk. The dish should be cooked for 10 minutes. After this, the entire contents of the pan must be pureed. You can use an immersion or stationary blender. After chopping the vegetables into puree, you need to add salt and a little black pepper. The dish is served hot.

Some mothers add green peas to the omelet. They say that children like the combination of green and yellow hues in the plate. Omelette is made from the following products:

• 5 large village eggs;
• 200 grams of peas;
• 50 grams of grated cheese;
• 50 milliliters of milk;
• 20 grams of butter;
• salt.

First you need to beat the eggs with salt and milk. Then heat the butter in a frying pan and add peas to it. After a minute, pour in the egg-milk mixture. The dish should be cooked covered over low heat. After 5 minutes, sprinkle the omelette with grated cheese and serve.

Vitamin salad is a great start to lunch. In the spring, many housewives cook it with the addition of green beans. . The following products are used to prepare a healthy salad:

First you need to boil the potatoes, eggs and peas. Sorrel leaves are torn into large pieces. Place quartered potatoes, halved eggs and green peas on a nice flat plate. Then add sorrel. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, mustard and a little salt. The resulting dressing is poured over the salad. It is served immediately after preparation.

A hearty and healthy lunch can be prepared from chicken, rice and green peas. Even people who don't like vegetables too much will like it. The following ingredients are used to prepare the dish:

First you need to sprinkle the wings with spices and leave them to marinate for 30 minutes. Cut the onion into cubes, grate the carrots on a fine grater.

Vegetables need to be fried in half the volume of prepared olive oil. Then add rice and green peas to the pan. All ingredients must be mixed well and salted.

Grease a baking dish with oil and place the wings along its edges. Place a mixture of rice and vegetables in the middle of the pan. Then you need to pour 600 milliliters of boiling water into the mold. Cover the mold with foil and place in the oven, which has been preheated to 180 °C. After 50 minutes, the foil is removed, after which the dish is baked for another 10 minutes.

Many people are accustomed to the fact that tasty and juicy foods can only be consumed seasonally. But don't forget about freezing. Green peas, like many other products, are ideal for freezing for the winter. The process will not take more than half an hour, and you can enjoy the taste until the onset of the new season.

At the same time, peas are absolutely unpretentious in relation to their neighbors in the freezer. Today you will learn how to freeze green peas for the winter at home and enjoy delicious dishes.

The success of freezing and the taste of the product depend on the correct selection of peas. First, make sure that the pod is elastic and dense. If it feels too soft, slightly open or rough, it won’t work. It is better to eat it immediately.

Secondly, look at the color. Rich green is ideal. With a white tint, yellow, golden, brownish are not suitable.

Third, try lightly pressing the peas to determine their texture. It's difficult, but possible. It's best if they are meaty. Unripe peas are too soft, while overripe peas, on the contrary, are hard.

Important! Do not open the pods if you plan to freeze the peas in the pods. Excess air will make the beans taste unpalatable.

Preparing the refrigerator

Peas are not too picky about being in the freezer. Of course, it is better to have a separate container for legumes. If this is not available, take care of sealed packaging.. If you pack in a plastic bag, make sure there are two of them, not one. Peas do not really absorb foreign odors, but this does not mean that they can be placed in the same compartment, for example, with fish.

There is an interesting feature. Peas will retain their taste and beneficial qualities much longer if they are stored in a compartment with a very low temperature for the first two weeks. Suitable - about 18 degrees below zero. Modern freezers are equipped with a similar function, but if your model is not one of them, do not worry. You will just need to eat the peas 2-3 months faster.

Don't forget about the most basic things. The box must be clean and dry. The same applies to the containers in which you will freeze the product.

Preparation of raw materials

Proper preparation of raw materials is very important. Everything is simple here.

Sort the peas. Discard pods with dark spots or signs of dryness or rotting. Rinse suitable ones under running cool water. Hot temperatures will not have the best effect on the beans.

How to freeze

Peas are a product that can be frozen in many ways. The choice depends on how you intend to use it in the future and on storage conditions.

Raw peas

How to freeze raw peas:

1. Lay out a towel. Dry.
2. If you notice a defective pod, it is better not to freeze it.
3. Peel the peas.
4. Pack into bags or plastic containers.

Attention! Wash the peas while they are still in the pods. There is no need to rinse the beans.

Peeled peas after blanching

This is one of the simplest methods that does not require a lot of time and various actions. We recommend using it if you are going to prepare salads from frozen beans in the future.

Procedure:

1. Pre-select quality peas and remove all debris.
2. Boil the water.
3. Add peas to boiling water. You can drain the beans using a colander.
4. Leave in water for 1-2 minutes.
5. Fill a container with cold water, you can even add ice.
6. Transfer the workpiece from hot water to cold.
7. Leave for 10-12 minutes.
8. Lay out kitchen towels. .
9. Seal the dried beans.
10. Place in the freezer.

Pre-blanched in pods

The process is identical to the previous recipe:

1. Select elastic green pods.
2. Rinse thoroughly in cool water.
3. Boil the water.
4. Place the pods in a colander. You can blanch in several batches.
5. Place in boiling water for 3 minutes.
6. Prepare a container of ice water in advance.
7. Place the pods in cold water for 10 minutes.
8. Lay out a towel.
9. Dry the pods thoroughly evenly on all sides.
10. Pack and put in the freezer.

Important! Don't forget to cut off the tails of the pods.

Pea pods must be dry. Do not package wet beans.

Peas that are slightly overripe

Fruits of ideal ripeness for freezing are not always available. It happens that the harvest is overripe. What to do? Don't despair - these peas can also be frozen. In this case, the blanching method will come to the rescue again:

1. Rinse the pods. Remove the tails. Do not use fruits with spots.
2. Hull the peas.
3. Put the water on fire.
4. Place the peas in a colander and rinse. Repeat 2-3 times.
5. While the water is boiling, prepare a second container of very cold water.
6. Place a colander in boiling water for 1-2 minutes.
7. Transfer beans to ice water.
8. Dry after 10 minutes.
9. Package and store.

Important! The recipe is only suitable for slightly overripe peas. If the fruits are completely dry, it is impossible to “reanimate” them.

Peas in pods

The pods can be frozen whole or cut into oblong pieces. It all depends on the degree of maturity. If the pod is already becoming convex, it will not be possible to cut it. But a flat one is possible.

Procedure:

1. Cut the tails off the pods.
2. Remove the vein that connects the two flaps. This is easy to do by picking up the edge with a knife.
3. Rinse the pods in cool water.
4. Put the water on fire.
5. Place the workpiece in boiling water for 1 minute. Then dry the scalded pods.
6. Once they are completely dry, pack them in containers or plastic bags.
7. Avoid getting moisture into the container.

Canned peas

It happens that you open a can of peas, but all of them are not useful, and it’s a pity to throw away the rest. Smart housewives know that canned peas can be frozen:

1. Transfer the peas to a colander or sieve.
2. Rinse well.
3. Place on a towel and let dry completely.
4. Place in a container and store.

Important! You should not count on a high content of vitamins in frozen canned peas.

This product is well suited for adding to salads.

In ice trays

An interesting method that is becoming increasingly popular. Ice trays are provided in any freezer and differ only in shape and size. How to use them to freeze peas:

1. Select quality peas.
2. Clean.
3. Rinse the peas. Dry well.
4. Fill ice cube trays with beans.
5. Fill with water.
6. Freeze for 12 hours.
7. After this, carefully remove the frozen product from the mold and transfer it to a container for long-term storage. You don’t have to do this if you have the opportunity not to use the molds for other purposes for a long time.

Note! Be careful when filling the molds. Remember that when frozen, water expands the shape slightly. To prevent damage, leave a little free space at the top.

Any of the methods requires knowledge of several tricks:

1. If you put the peas in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, this will eliminate the bitterness.
2. Blanching helps preserve the color and shape of the fruit.
3. Thoroughly dried peas will never stick together or lose their round shape. But if it's wet, there can be trouble.
4. If you plan to use peas to decorate dishes in the future, maintaining their shape is especially important. To do this, freeze the peas first on a flat surface (cutting board, baking sheet). After 12 hours, transfer the workpiece to a container.

How long can you store

If you keep peas at a temperature below 18 degrees, 8-10 months of ideal storage are guaranteed. If the chamber freezes at a higher temperature, it is better to use the product within six months. Canned frozen peas should be eaten within 4 months.

How to defrost correctly

We've dealt with freezing, now it's important to learn how to defrost the product correctly. Everything is simple here, there are no special secrets, except perhaps the presence of sugar during cooking.

Procedure:

1. Put the water to boil.
2. Add a pinch of salt and sugar to boiling water. Mix thoroughly.
3. Place the frozen peas in the pan.
4. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Rinse the peas under ice water using a colander or other container.

Thanks to sugar, the rich color of the legumes is preserved during defrosting. Pre-defrosting at room temperature is not necessary, as the peas become too soft and overcooked.

What dishes should I add frozen peas to?

Frozen green peas are used in the same dishes as the fresh product. When properly frozen, the taste remains unchanged. The salads turn out very beautiful. Canned peas are dull in color and softer in consistency, while frozen peas are firm and bright green.

For the salad

Peas perfectly complement a vegetable or meat salad, so feel free to add this ingredient to your favorite recipes.
How to defrost peas for salad:

1. Put water on the fire.
2. Add a spoonful of sugar and salt to boiling water. Stir, cook for 1 minute.
3. Add beans, stir.
4. Pour in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes with the lid closed.
6. Remove the peas and cool. You can use a container of cold water.

Important! It is necessary to cool down. When hot, do not put peas in the salad, otherwise they will lose their shape.

Frozen peas will ideally refresh Olivier salad and go well with salads that contain boiled potatoes. The dish turns out not only tasty, but also satisfying.

Pea garnish

You can make a hearty and healthy side dish from frozen peas at any time of the year with the addition of other vegetables. This dish goes well with fried or steamed cutlets.

Ingredients:

• carrot;
• onion;
• frozen peas;
• salt;
• oil for frying.

Cooking method:

1. Chop the onions and carrots in any usual way.
2. Fry the vegetables over medium heat.
3. After 5 minutes, add frozen peas. No pre-defrosting is required.
4. Close the lid. Simmer for 7 minutes.

Advice. If desired, you can add a small piece of butter to the almost finished dish. The taste will become a little different, and the vitamins will be better absorbed. To add a spicy taste, add a mint leaf a minute before cooking.

Quick soup

The soup turns out light and tasty with the addition of frozen peas.

Ingredients:

• carrot;
• chicken fillet (any meat to taste);
• 1 egg;
• salt;
• 1 liter of water per 500 g of meat;
• greens optional.

Preparation:

1. Cook the meat broth.
2. While the broth is cooking, peel and dice the potatoes.
3. Fry the grated carrots and chopped onions in a frying pan.
4. Remove meat from broth.
5. Add all the vegetables to the broth.
6. After 10 minutes, add 1 cup frozen green peas.
7. Add the meat back to the broth.
8. Add salt and cook for 10 minutes.

You can add a boiled egg in portions to the finished dish for decoration. Greens are also added if desired.

Puree

Ingredients:

• potato;
• frozen peas;
• 1 tbsp. l. sour cream;
• butter;
• 1 clove of garlic;
• salt.

Cooking method:

1. Boil the potatoes for 20–25 minutes.
2. Add frozen peas. Cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, drain water.
4. Add chopped garlic, butter and a spoonful of sour cream.
5. Use a masher to give the dish the desired consistency.

Ideal to serve with fish.

Let's sum it up

Freezing peas does not take much time. Blanching preserves taste, color, and shape. Peas can be stored for a long time, up to 10 months. Legumes are frozen in various ways, depending on the features of the freezer and your own preferences.

The frozen product is great for vegetable, potato and meat salads, and a juicy side dish - for fish or meat. Pea puree without spices is included in the children's menu, and chicken soup will be appreciated by supporters of a healthy diet.

In cooking, peas are used at all stages of ripening. But the most in demand are green, already filled peas that have not yet become coarse. To preserve this valuable ingredient, fresh grains are quickly frozen. The calorie content of frozen peas is 72 kcal.

Main advantages

In defrosted peas, it is possible to preserve the vitamins/minerals necessary in winter and get the desired taste as a result. Culinary experts appreciate it for:

• Abundance of plant fibers and protein.
• Soft pliable structure.
• Rich beautiful color.
• Delicate unobtrusive taste.
• Versatility, ease of preparation and use.
• Low price.

What can you cook

1. This tasty, healthy vegetable complements the composition of many famous salads and cream soups.
2. It is added (including as a decoration) to dishes such as pilaf, stew, goulash, aspic, casserole, pasta.
3. After defrosting, whole pea grains are often used as an independent side dish. Fresh or boiled, it goes well with meat, sausages, fish, and seafood.
4. Boiled and mashed peas make a wonderful puree.
5. Home cooks and restaurant chefs make sauces, soufflés, and pancakes from soft peas.