Fitness / July 18, 2023

How to Cook Snow Peas

Here we have an Asian-inspired dazzler featuring crispy snow peas sizzled up in a garlic-ginger mix, then dusted with chili flakes and toasted sesame seeds. It makes for a magical side dish or a healthy nibble before dinner.

Table of Contents

As a certified foodie and a fan of cocktails, I love playing with flavors to see which appetizers and drinks play well together. This experimental research is how I stumbled onto this awesome Sautéed Snow Peas recipe.

Today, I’m serving up some crunchy, fresh-off-the-vine snow peas with a kick of red chili flakes, sesame seeds and a little soy sauce. To go with them, I’m mixing up either some Sazerac cocktails or Spicy Margaritas (both the margarita and the snow peas bring the spice and the salt). But you can have fun mixing and matching to your heart’s content.

By the way, have any of you tried my Asian Chicken with Pak Choi or my Coconut Curry Soup? You’ll find they have similar flavors and work well with the Snow Peas. Speaking of which, let’s get you in the kitchen and cooking!

Are Snow Peas Healthy?

They sure are! Snow peas are like little bundles of vitamins, fiber, and even some protein. I’ve chosen to go light on the oil and big on natural flavor with garlic, ginger and chili flakes, so you can rest assured knowing these peas won’t spoil your diet AND, as an appetizer, won’t leave you feeling too stuffed to eat the main dish.

INGREDIENTS

The garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and sesame seeds are more like toppings than necessary ingredients, so don’t feel like you need to include them if you don’t want to.

2 cups snow peas
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp soy sauce
pinch of red chili flakes
toasted white sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Clean the snow peas, cut off the tips, and remove the side strings. Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large pan.

Cook

Add the snow peas, minced ginger, and garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes until cooked. Season with soy sauce.

Top

Transfer the cooked snow peas onto plates and top with some red chili flakes and toasted white sesame seeds.

DEVOUR!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these savory snow peas as a side to grilled chicken or shrimp, or you can simply enjoy them on their own with a glass of chilled white wine for the perfect cocktail-hour munchie. They work as both an appetizer or a side (and maybe as a dessert topping if you added the peas to ice cream? I don’t judge your taste buds.)

Tips & Tricks

Snow Peas Prep: My most important tip is to de-string the sides of the peas and snip off the tips. The peas will get a much better texture.
Garlic and Ginger: I also recommend chopping the garlic and ginger as finely as you can. Even small chunks can have very strong with flavor.
Mind the Heat: You want the snow peas cooked but still crunchy, not charred so don’t crank that heat up too much.
Be Smart with the Soy: Hold off on the soy sauce until you’re almost done sautéing your peas. If you add it too early, your peas will go salty and dark.
Mingle with the Toppings: I love the texture the chili flakes and toasted sesame seeds bring!

FAQs

Can I eat snow peas raw?

Absolutely! Just slice ‘em up and toss ’em into any salad. They’re crispy and crunchy, and add a lovely bit of texture to your greens.

Can I cook snow peas in other ways?

Although stir-frying is a tried-and-true favorite, you can also give them a quick steam or blanch them with garlic.

Can I use another kind of peas for this recipe?

Yep! Snap peas or sugar snap peas can also be stir-fried.

How can I tell if my snow peas are fresh?

Look for peas that are green, round, and smooth. Give those yellow, wrinkling, or bruised ones a hard pass. Crisp ones will give a satisfying snap when you bend them.

Can I use a different type of oil to cook my snow peas?

I use veggie oil and sesame oil here, but you can use olive oil, coconut oil, or even avocado oil. Go crazy!

Are snow peas and sugar snap peas interchangeable in recipes?

Snow peas and sugar snap peas are similar in looks and taste but they’re not interchangeable. Snow peas have flatter pods and are a bit more delicate, while sugar snap peas are larger and a bit sweeter. You can sometimes switch them out for the other in recipes but they taste different and need different cooking times.

How to Store Snow Peas

You can cook this dish a day in advance, but remember, the fresher, the yummier. Any leftovers can go into an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To warm them up, cook them over medium heat and add a splash of water if they look a little dry.