There is no doubt that one of the bounties of spring and summer months is fresh peas. Whether you are growing green peas in your garden or purchasing them from the store when they are in season, I find that the best way to preserve them is to blanch them before freezing.
This way, you can have them available in your freezer and use them in various recipes like Cauliflower Curry, Chicken Vegetable Soup, and Butter Lettuce Salad all year round.
In this post, I will cover everything you need to know about blanching and freezing fresh peas at home to enjoy them whenever a recipe calls for them.
Why Blanch Peas?
Blanching fresh peas before freezing might sound like an extra step but the quick turn in boiling salted water:
- Cooks them just enough to lose their raw taste
- Helps them retain their bright green color
- Keeps them crisp and tender and prevent them from turning mushy until you can use them
What You’ll Need?
To blanch fresh peas you will need:
- Boiling Water
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh shelled peas
In terms of equipment, you will need:
- A large pot
- A slotted spoon or a spider strainer (affiliate link)
- Baking sheet & kitchen towel
- Freezer friendly reusable bags such as Stasher (affiliate link) or Ziploc freezer bags
How To Blanch Peas For Freezing?
- Shell peas and rinse: Remove the peas from their pods and transfer them into a colander. If you are using already shelled peas, you can skip this step. Give them a quick rinse underwater.
- Boil water for blanching: Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Prep your ice water: Fill a large bowl with ice and set it aside.
- Blanch peas: Add fresh peas in the boiling water along with a teaspoon of kosher salt and cook until peas are crisp-tender, 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
- Cool in ice water: Using a slotted spoon or a spider strainer, remove peas and transfer to the bowl with ice water and allow them to rest for up to 5 minutes. Doing so will help stop the cooking process and prevent peas from turning mushy.
- Drain peas and prep for freezing.
How To Freeze and Store Peas?
You can transfer the peas into freezer bags from the ice water bath. However, doing so might result in frozen peas that are stuck to another. Therefore, I find that the best way to freeze peas has two steps.
- Transfer blanched peas onto a baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with a kitchen towel, transfer the blanched green peas onto the baking sheet in a single layer. Place in the freezer for up to an hour.
- Pack in freezer-friendly bags: Place sweet peas in a freezer-friendly bag, remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal tight, and store in the freezer.
Helpful Tips:
- Freeze peas in small portions: I recommend storing peas in smaller (1 cup) portions; that way, you can avoid spoilage or freezer burn of a larger amount.
- Have peas at room temperature before blanching: We want to make sure that we blanch peas in boiling water for a short period. If you blanch your peas right after you take them out of the fridge, the cold peas will bring down the water temperature, which will result in a longer blanching time. However, if you let them come to room temperature before, they will be perfectly crisp and tender without you having to blanch them longer.
FAQs:
It takes around 90 to 120 seconds to blanch peas.
Blanched and frozen peas will keep fresh for up to a year. They are still safe to eat after a year, but their quality might deteriorate.
I know that blanching garden peas is an extra step, and there are several sites on the internet talking about how to freeze garden peas without blanching them first. However, I strongly suggest against it. Because as it is stated in this what is blanching article, blanching your peas before freezing will help keep their vibrant colors, retain nutrients, and slow down the enzymatic action that leads to spoilage.
If you are short on time and have to freeze them without blanching first, I recommend using them within the first two to three months before they start spoiling.
It depends on the recipe you are using. If you are using frozen peas in soups or stews, you can add them in the last few minutes of the cooking process. Whereas, if you are using them in salads, let them thaw on the counter for 5-10 minutes, rinse them under cold running water, and use them in your recipe.
I would not recommend freezing green peas in their pods. Since they have a short shelf-like, I find that the best way to store peas is to shell them first and then blanch them for a few minutes before storing them in the freezer.
Recipe Ideas To Use Peas:
Other Helpful How-To Posts:
Blanching Peas for Freezing – How To Blanch Peas
Ingredients
- 1 pound green peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Water
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside.
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add peas and salt and cook until peas are crisp-tender, 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon or a spider strainer, transfer the peas into the ice water. This will stop the cooking process. Let them sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile line a sheet pan with a kitchen towel.
- Drain the peas and spread them evenly onto the baking sheet. Gently move them around to dry. Transfer the sheet pan into the freezer for up to 1 hour. Remove from freezer and transfer the peas into a freezer bag.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal it before placing them into the freezer.
Notes
- How long will frozen peas keep fresh? Blanched and frozen peas will keep fresh for up to a year. They are still safe to eat after a year, but their quality might deteriorate.
- Freeze peas in small portions: I recommend storing peas in smaller (1 cup) portions; that way, you can avoid spoilage or freezer burn of a larger amount.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks for the detailed instructions on freezing peas. I have been freezing them for years but didnt know the exact way it should be done. Loved your pictures.
Thank you Audrey. Happy to hear that you liked it. Thanks for coming by.
Great info! There are lots of fresh peas at our Farmers’ Market right now. Good to know we can blanch, freeze and enjoy year round
YAY! Happy to hear that you found this helpful Janet. Thanks for coming by.
This was my first attempt at this and surprised it was so easy. I am heading to our farmer’s market to get more to put in the freezer for the rest of the year.
Thank you.
I am thrilled to hear that you had a success with freezing your peas Diana. I, too, am planning to get more because we already used all of the peas I froze from a few months ago.
Thanks for coming by and taking the time to leave a review.
Cheers!
Very well explained. Followed it exactly as you explained and have enough peas in the fridge to last me for the whole year.
Thanks for explaining in such great detail.
YAY! Mission accomplished. Thanks Nesha! I am happy to hear that you found it helpful.