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Home » Produce guides » Peas

Published: Feb 28, 2020 · Modified: Oct 6, 2024 by Veronica T

Peas

Sugar snap and shelling peas are in season in spring, summer and fall. Get more info on picking the best ones, storing them and of course, recipes.
Peas in season
Jump to:
  • When are peas in season?
  • Types of peas: garden, snap, and snow peas
  • How to pick & store fresh peas
  • Seasonal recipes
  • Seasonal guides

When are peas in season?

Peas grow best in a cooler climate, before the summer heat takes over. Look for them at the farmers market in spring and early summer, and again in fall.

Most varieties are in season starting in April and ending in November on the west coast. Other areas have a season that typically starts a month later and ends a month earlier (from May through October).

After harvest, all peas convert their sugar to starch, and starchy peas aren't very tasty. This sugar conversion happens quite quickly in garden peas, and a little slower for snap peas (which make them store better for longer).

See what else is in season at the same time: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.

Sugar snap pea varieties, from green to purple

Types of peas: garden, snap, and snow peas

They are all part of the legume family, but a few differences set each one apart. One of the main differences is whether the pod is edible (snap peas & snow peas) or not (garden peas). Inedible pods contain an inedible fiber that doesn't chew well or break down.

Garden peas

Garden peas are also called English peas, shelling peas, or sweet peas. The outer pod is tough and inedible, filled with full sized, sweet peas.

The peas need to be 'shelled' (removed from the pod) before being eaten. This is a labor intensive job to do at home, so most stores only sell peas after they have been shelled (Trader Joe's always has them in the produce section when in season). Some farmers markets might sell them in the pods, so be sure not to confuse them with snap peas.

Frozen and canned peas use these types of peas.

Snap peas

Snap peas were actually lost in cultivation by 1950 until someone found a natural garden pea mutation and crossed it with a snow pea. This resulted in the first reintroduction of snap peas in 1979, called the "Sugar Snap."

Snap peas are eaten whole since the pod is edible - it's plump, crisp, and sweet. Sometimes a string along the edge of the pod has to be removed, but many varieties grown today are stringless as long as the weather cooperates.

There are a few fun varieties within the snap pea family that you might find at the farmers market (or grow at home). The "Spring Blush" variety has pink blushing on the pods and the "Sugar Magnolia" pods are purple. The color on the pods holds well when cooked. The peas inside both varieties are green.

Snow peas

Snow peas have a flat, thin, edible pod and are picked while the peas inside are still small. They have a tough, fibrous string that usually needs to be removed before cooking.

Snow peas are meant to be eaten whole, and their flat, thin pods make them great options for quick cooking methods, like stir fries and quick sautes.

Pea shoots

Pea shoots are immature shoots that eventually would grow peas. They can be used raw in salads, on sandwiches (like you would use sprouts), or in a stir fry.

Frozen peas

Frozen peas are processed within hours of harvest, which stops the conversion of sugar to starch. This maintains the sweet flavor you find in frozen peas. But not all frozen varieties are equal:

  • Regular frozen peas: excellent when frozen.
  • Petite or baby peas: even better when frozen, as they are slightly more tender and sweeter than regular frozen peas.
  • Snow peas: due to their higher water content, they don't freeze as well. They aren't bad, but they are better fresh.

The best way to use frozen peas is by simply thawing them, rather than cooking them. That's because they are already blanched before being flash frozen by the manufacturer.

Frozen peas: best brands
Epicurious shares their results from a taste test of 12 brands of peas. They also share the best cooking method: thawing.
Check it out

How to pick & store fresh peas

To pick the best ones, look for plump pods that have no wrinkles. A shriveled pod indicates that it has dried out or is over ripe, in which case the sugars turn to starch. White scarring on the pea pods is ok, it's not an indication of quality.

To store peas, place them in a plastic bag, in the crisper drawer of your fridge (which helps keep from drying out). Fresh garden peas will last a few days or up to 1 week, losing flavor and texture qualities quickly over time. Snap peas and snow peas store better, lasting up to two weeks (though both are still better when used while still very fresh).

Seasonal recipes

Each recipe in below only uses ingredients that are in season at the same time as peas, or ingredients that have a year-round season.

Classic flavor combinations

Peas are often paired with other early spring vegetables: asparagus and radishes. They also work well with a salty prosciutto and eggs.

Spring risotto with leeks, snap peas, and roasted asparagus recipe by Yes to Yolks
Spring risotto with leeks, snap peas, and roasted asparagus
Super green pea & asparagus burrata pizza recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Super green pea & asparagus burrata pizza
Sweet pea & radish salad recipe by Vanilla and Bean
Sweet pea & radish salad
Salad with asparagus, snap peas, prosciutto, and a deviled egg dressing recipe by Foxes Love Lemons
Salad with asparagus, snap peas, prosciutto, and a deviled egg dressing
Lentil salad with spring veggies, mint, and yogurt recipe by Feasting at Home
Lentil salad with spring veggies, mint, and yogurt
Dressed up spring open faced sandwiches recipe by Cotter Crunch
Dressed up spring open faced sandwiches
Simple buttery spring pea & burrata pasta with prosciutto recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Simple buttery spring pea & burrata pasta with prosciutto
Fried rice with asparagus and peas recipe by The View from Great Island
Fried rice with asparagus and peas

Garden peas & pasta

Peas are great in a pasta with a lemon or cream sauce. They're also an excellent source of protein for vegetarian pasta dinners.

Creamy farro with pesto, asparagus, and peas recipe by Vanilla and Bean
Creamy farro with pesto, asparagus, and peas
Green pea pasta with burrata recipe by Food Worth Feed
Green pea pasta with burrata
Prosciutto, pea, and pesto pasta salad recipe by Broma
Prosciutto, pea, and pesto pasta salad
Lemony spaghetti with peas, ricotta, and breadcrumbs by Simply Recipes
Lemony spaghetti with peas, ricotta, and breadcrumbs
Pasta with asparagus, peas, and caramelized sweet onion sauce recipe by Rhubarbarians
Pasta with asparagus, peas, and caramelized sweet onion sauce
Pasta with peas, smoked almonds, and dill recipe by A Spicy Perspective
Pasta with peas, smoked almonds, and dill
Spring pea pasta with truffle oil, lemon, and mint recipe by Feasting at Home
Spring pea pasta with truffle oil, lemon, and mint
Simple buttery spring pea & burrata pasta with prosciutto recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Simple buttery spring pea & burrata pasta with prosciutto

Garden peas & soup

Deviate from the winter split pea soup staple and try a fresh spring pea soup instead.

Creamy artichoke pea soup recipe by Cotter Crunch
Creamy artichoke pea soup
Thai pea soup with ginger, lemongrass, and coconut milk recipe by Running to the Kitchen
Thai pea soup with ginger, lemongrass, and coconut milk
Spring pea wasabi soup recipe by A Spicy Perspective
Spring pea wasabi soup
Spring minestrone soup recipe by Feasting at Home
Spring minestrone soup

Garden peas & appetizers

Use the freshest shelled garden peas you can find for a stand-out appetizer. They will be sweeter and less starchy the fresher they are.

Pea & mint crostini with garlic whipped feta recipe by Life as a Strawberry
Pea & mint crostini with garlic whipped feta
Grilled English peas (like edamame) by Simply Recipes
Grilled English peas (like edamame)
Dressed up spring open faced sandwiches recipe by Cotter Crunch
Dressed up spring open faced sandwiches
Saffron, ricotta, and pea pancakes (gluten-free) recipe by Bojon Gourmet
Saffron, ricotta, and pea pancakes (gluten-free)
Potato, mushroom, and pea pierogies recipe by Vanilla and Bean
Potato, mushroom, and pea pierogies
Goat cheese and egg toasts with peas & dill recipe by Cookie + Kate
Goat cheese and egg toasts with peas & dill

Snap peas: appetizers

Since snap peas can be eaten whole, they are a great finger food. They can be eaten raw, dipped, or stuffed. (And even used in cocktails).

Harissa snap peas with cashew hummus & sunflower seed za'atar recipe by Snixy Kitchen
Harissa snap peas with cashew hummus & sunflower seed za'atar
Sugar snap pea mojito recipe by Snixy Kitchen
Sugar snap pea mojito
Herb & cheese stuffed snap peas recipe by Life as a Strawberry
Herb & cheese stuffed snap peas
Homemade snap pea chips recipe by Cotter Crunch
Homemade snap pea chips
Burrata with charred and raw sugar snap peas recipe by Smitten Kitchen
Burrata with charred and raw sugar snap peas
Spring crudité platter recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Spring crudité platter

Snap peas for dinner

Since snap peas are best raw or with a very quick saute, they are great candidates for quick dinners & sides.

Spring risotto with leeks, snap peas, and roasted asparagus recipe by Yes to Yolks
Spring risotto with leeks, snap peas, and roasted asparagus
Israeli couscous salad with strawberries, snap peas, and lemon poppy seed dressing recipe by Yes to Yolks
Israeli couscous salad with strawberries, snap peas, and lemon poppy seed dressing
Salad with asparagus, snap peas, prosciutto, and a deviled egg dressing recipe by Foxes Love Lemons
Salad with asparagus, snap peas, prosciutto, and a deviled egg dressing
Spring green goddess pizza recipe by Broma
Spring green goddess pizza
Roasted fingerling potatoes with dill, goat cheese, and peas recipe by Broma
Roasted fingerling potatoes with dill, goat cheese, and peas
5 minute sugar snap peas recipe by Cafe Delites
5 minute sugar snap peas
Sugar snap pea & carrot soba noodles recipe by Cookie + Kate
Sugar snap pea & carrot soba noodles
Simple spring skillet lasagna with a Mediterranean kick recipe by Half Baked Harvest
Simple spring skillet lasagna with a Mediterranean kick

Snow peas for dinner

Snow peas also cook very quickly, which makes them very popular in stir fries, curries, and even salads.

One pot coconut curry shrimp recipe by Plating Pixels
One pot coconut curry shrimp
20-minute beef snow pea skillet recipe by Nutmeg Nanny
20-minute beef snow pea skillet
Chicken snow pea green curry recipe by Nutmeg Nanny
Chicken snow pea green curry
Spring salad with asparagus, snow peas, and a lemon dressing by Recipe Tin Eats
Spring salad with asparagus, snow peas, and a lemon dressing
Snow peas with pine nuts & mint by Simply Recipes
Snow peas with pine nuts & mint
Lentil salad with spring veggies, mint, and yogurt recipe by Feasting at Home
Lentil salad with spring veggies, mint, and yogurt
Pulled pork tacos with pineapple snow pea salsa recipe by Carlsbad Cravings
Pulled pork tacos with pineapple snow pea salsa
Crunchy Thai peanut & quinoa salad recipe by Cookie + Kate
Crunchy Thai peanut & quinoa salad

Seasonal guides

Asparagus, artichokes, and strawberries are other spring produce in season at the same time. For a full list of what's currently in-season, check out the monthly seasonal guide.

Have any unanswered questions about peas? Leave a comment so I can help.

If you're wondering what else is currently in season, check out my calendars to see what produce is in season each month (and coming up soon).

Seasonal calendars
Get a full list of fruits & vegetables in season for each month.
See what's in season
January produce in season on a table
  • Strawberries in baskets on a farm, with text May produce guide & recipes
    A practical produce guide, May 2025
  • Kabobs over the grill with text, "produce & recipe guide for June"
    The practical produce guide - June 2025
  • The practical produce guide: July 2025
  • Produce & recipe guide for what's in season in August, with figs
    The practical produce guide for August, 2025
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Comments

  1. JJ says

    September 16, 2020 at 2:04 am

    Can you comment on eating frozen peas that have just been defrosted? I keep finding conflicting information that say no way (due to listeria concerns) vs. others that are saying it's fine. I tried to check out the US Food Safety site but it doesn't address it. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • Vee says

      September 28, 2020 at 1:17 am

      I haven't researched that topic but will dig into it and see if I can find anything from reliable and trustworthy sources.

      Reply

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About the Food Geek

Welcome, I'm Veronica, your resident food geek - experienced recipe developer and gardener. My goal is to help you enjoy eating at home by knowing what fruits & vegetables are currently in season and the best ways to use them. To do that, I've put together seasonal produce guides and recipes with practical advice.

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