Peas and Carrots - Freshly cut carrots and green peas simmered until fork-tender, then tossed in melted butter and seasoned with salt and pepper. This peas and carrot combination is a classic because they complement each other perfectly. They are sweet, tender, and delightful! Cooked peas and carrots are a tasty side dish the family will ask for time and time again.
Looking for a simple yet delicious way to add some veggies and nutrition to your next meal? Cooked peas and carrots may be just what you're looking for! These two simple ingredients combined are magical. Peas and carrots can be used in various dishes or eaten on their own.
There's something about peas and carrots that just seems to go together. Maybe it's the contrasting colors or the complementary flavors, but they just work well together. So whether you're looking for a simple side dish or something a little more adventurous, cooked peas and carrots are just what you need!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Cooked Pea And Carrot Recipe
- Customizable: Create your own flavor combination for these peas and carrots by experimenting with different herbs and spices to go with any meal.
- Perfect For Busy Weeknights: Peas and carrots require little effort to prepare and will be ready to eat in a matter of minutes.
- Affordable: Whether fresh or frozen, Peas and carrots are a nutritious and budget-friendly side dish.
- Delicious: Peas and carrots are a colorful and healthy combination, but they also taste amazing together!
Equipment Needed To Make Cooked Peas And Carrots
- Knife
- Saucepot
- Strainer
- Mixing Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients For Your Cooked Carrots and Peas Recipe
- Carrots
- Peas
- Butter
- Water
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
How To Make Cooked Peas And Carrots
Add water and cut carrots to a saucepot to make peas and carrots. Simmer the carrots until they're almost tender before adding the peas and continue cooking for a few minutes. Drain the peas and carrots once they're cooked. In a saucepot, melt butter and stir in cooked veggies until well coated, then season to taste with salt and pepper and serve as desired.
What to Serve/Pair with Cooked Carrots And Peas
Cooked carrots and peas can be paired with almost any main dish. So whether you're serving peas and carrots with Ravioli With Sautéed Asparagus And Walnuts or Spinach Pesto Pasta, as part of a larger vegetable dish, or even on their own, cooked peas and carrots are the perfect addition to any meal!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
Broth or stock: To give peas and carrots more flavor, use your favorite broth or stock rather than water.
Cooked carrots and peas can be seasoned with various ingredients to make them suitable for any meal, in addition to salt, pepper, broth, or stock. Peas and carrots taste great with multiple herbs and spices, so experiment with different flavor combinations until you discover what you enjoy the most. Here are some popular alternatives:
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Onion
- Butter
- Sugar
- Mint
- Italian Seasoning
- Basil
- Parsley
- Sage
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil
How To Reheat & Store Cooked Peas And Carrots
What Is The Best Way To Store Peas And Carrots?
To keep peas and carrots fresh, store them in a shallow airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator.
How Long Will Cooked Peas And Carrots Last In the Fridge?
Cooked peas and carrots will keep for up to 5 days if kept in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags.
Can I Freeze Cooked Carrots And Peas?
Yes! Frozen carrots and peas are a fantastic way to have a healthy side dish on hand, but you don't have much time. You can freeze cooked carrots and peas in resealable freezer bags or an airtight container for up to 12 months. If properly stored, frozen carrots and peas will keep for up to three additional days in the refrigerator when thawed.
How To Reheat Peas And Carrots?
It only takes about a minute in the microwave to heat carrots and peas from the refrigerator. If you're reheating from frozen, use your stove or microwave to heat them until they've reached the desired temperature.
Cooked Peas FAQs
Is there a way to know when my carrots are done?
Yes. There are a few ways to tell if your carrots are done. One way is to pierce them with a fork or knife. If they're done, the fork or knife will slide in easily. Another way is to check their color. Carrots should be a bright orange when they're cooked properly. If they're not bright orange, they may still be crunchy. Finally, you can taste them. Carrots should be tender when cooked properly and have a slight sweetness to them. They may not be done yet if they're too crunchy or bland.
Does it matter if I use fresh or frozen peas and carrots?
No. Fresh or frozen peas and carrots can be used for this recipe. I prefer fresh carrots for this dish and frozen peas. Fresh carrots are more flavorful and have a superior texture than frozen ones. Frozen peas have been flash-frozen at their peak of freshness to retain as many natural vitamins and minerals as possible. Unless you grow your own peas, it's difficult to determine how fresh peas from the grocery store or farmers' market are.
Will canned peas and carrots work in this recipe?
Yes. Canned peas and carrots can be used in this dish; however, fresh or frozen are a far superior choice. If you use canned peas and carrots, be sure they've been rinsed and drained before using them. Peas and carrots that have been canned are kept in metal with a lot of preservatives and chemicals, resulting in a less flavorful meal.
Do I thaw frozen peas before cooking them?
No. It's not necessary to thaw frozen peas before using them. They'll cook just fine from the freezer.
Do carrots need to be peeled before cooking?
No, carrots do not need to be peeled before cooking. The skin adds extra flavor and nutrients, but you may peel them if you don't like them.
Other Simple Vegetable Side Dishes You'll Love
- Roasted Broccoli And Quinoa Salad
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
- Funeral Potatoes
- Smashed Brussel Sprouts
- Grilled Zucchini Salad
- Broccoli Fritters
Don't Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Cooked Peas And Carrots Turned Out!
Peas and Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 carrots cut into pieces, coins, or just chopped as desired
- 1 ½ cup peas
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the carrots in a saucepot.
- Cover the carrots with 2-inches of water.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat and cook carrots until almost tender. For the carrots cut into larger pieces it takes around 6 minutes. Almost tender carrots are the ones you can pierce a fork through almost completely easy, but with some resistance in the center. You can poke the coked carrots easy as butter.
- Add the peas into the saucepot with carrots and cook for 3 minutes.
- Drain the carrots and peas.
- Melt butter in a saucepot.
- Add drained carrots and peas and stir until coated with butter. Season the peas and carrots to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve as desired.
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