Easy Creamed Peas
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Easy Creamed Peas is a comforting side dish that is so easy to make that it only take minutes to prepare. With five basic ingredients it’s easy to make you can make this recipe anytime you want. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
Creamed peas are a classic side dish perfect for any meal. While they are really popular around the holidays, you can make old fashioned creamed peas any time of the year! Dinners need easy and healthy side dishes, and this recipe is just that. These buttery, and slightly sweet, peas are just a classic comfort food side.
This recipe just goes to show that yes, vegetables can be absolutely delicious. Douse them in a perfectly seasoned creamy sauce and they take on a different flavor, one that picky eaters will enjoy along with everyone else! It’s why we like creamed corn too. Just the coziest classic side dishes that go well with hearty holiday meals, easy weeknight dinners, or a nice Sunday lunch. Make easy creamed peas whenever you need a comforting side to go with ham or other simple protein.
Why You’ll Love Easy Creamed Peas
- You only need five simple ingredients to make this creamed peas recipe. Keep them on hand and you could make this dish at the drop of a hat.
- It only takes 15 minutes to turn these little green veggies into a creamy bowl of happiness. Quick and easy side dishes like these can come to the rescue on busy evenings!
- This versatile side dish pairs well with almost anything. No need to plan sides that specifically pair well with your main course making it an easy side dish to add to any holiday meal.
Ingredients for Creamed Peas
- Frozen peas – I recommend using frozen peas instead of canned peas because they hold up better and won’t become super mushy. You could also use fresh peas.
- Butter – If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of salt that this recipe calls for.
- All purpose flour – Flour is used as a thickener in this classic creamed peas recipe. It will help make the peas perfectly creamy and not too thin.
- Milk – Use whole milk for the most creamy results. You can also use 2% milk or 1% milk. If you want them even richer use heavy cream, but we think they are great with regular milk, which I always have on hand.
- Salt – A little salt is all you need to season these old fashioned creamed peas.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Easy Creamed Peas
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan, then whisk in the all-purpose flour until smooth.
- Then add milk and cook the creamy mixture over medium heat. Whisk the mixture often until it is thick and smooth.
- Stir in the salt and frozen peas and cook over medium heat until the peas heat through.
- Season to taste as needed, then serve!
How to Store Easy Creamed Peas
FRIDGE: Place leftover creamed peas into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two days.
FREEZER: These yummy creamed peas freeze really well too. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely before reheating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly warmed through. You could also place them in a microwave safe bowl and heat until warmed through.
What to Serve with Creamed Peas
Old fashioned creamed peas go with so many different dishes! Serve alongside honey baked ham and freshly baked dinner rolls. Make a simple and healthy meal with crispy air fryer chicken breasts, creamed peas and glazed carrots.
Make an easy meal like ham and cheese noodle casserole or chicken cordon bleu casserole and serve creamed peas as a simple side.
This tasty green veggie is great with pork too! Serve with pork schnitzel or air fryer pork tenderloin for an easy and delicious meal.
Can I add anything to creamed peas?
While this recipe is so yummy as is, you can add tons of different things to it. Diced carrots, chopped bacon pieces and even some chopped mushrooms can all go into the saucepan with creamed peas.
Another great add-in is pearl onions. We usually add about 8 ounces of pearl onions when we mix those in.
If you’d like to season this creamed peas recipe a bit more, feel free to add extra salt, some pepper, onion powder, or garlic powder. Topping creamed peas with cheese is always yummy too!
Can I use canned peas instead of frozen?
I do not recommend using canned green peas in this recipe. Using frozen helps the peas stay firm and they won’t get all mushy before being fully warmed through.
If you only have canned peas, you can give it a shot though! Just keep a close eye on them and don’t let the mixture cook as long as the frozen peas do.
Pro Tips
- After adding the peas, be very gentle when you stir. You don’t want to smush the peas and make a mushy mess!
- Make sure to constantly whisk the butter, milk and flour mixture so that it does not burn and thickens up well.
- You can always add more salt after the fact. So add what the recipe calls for and then slowly season to taste once the creamed peas are done.
This classic creamy side is a favorite for a reason! Use this very straightforward recipe to make the best old fashioned creamed peas. Let us know your favorite main dish to pair with this side!
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love
- Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are a side that can be made any time of year, for any meal, and be enjoyed. Bacon truly makes everything better!
- Looking for more holiday side dish recipes? Then check out my recipe for Cranberry Fluff Salad!
- This Cheesy Carrot Casserole is another way to make veggies taste extra good. Cheese is the perfect pairing for so many different vegetables.
- Ever wish you could make your sides ahead of time? Now you can with this recipe for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Easy Creamed Peas
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups frozen peas
Instructions
- In a medium pot, melt butter. Whisk in flour until smooth.
- Add milk and cook over medium heat, whisking often, until smooth and thickened. Stir in salt and peas, cooking over medium heat until peas are heated through. Adjust seasonings to taste (salt, and pepper or other herbs or spices if desired).
Ezra says
Made it exactly like the recipe turned out excellent
Julie Evink says
Great to hear Ezra! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Marlene Lawson says
This was so easy and a big hit with our family
Courtney says
Love when you can find recipes the whole family loves! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it and for rating this recipe!
Brandi says
Delicious and so easy
Linda says
Added 1/2 tsp sugar.
Sally says
Great as is, but another time I added cooked cubed red potatoes. Yummy addition.
Julie Evink says
A wonderful addition! Thanks so much for commenting and rating the recipe!
Rhonda says
Easy and delicious
Kate says
Yummy
Angie says
Sooooo easy and delicious.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Angie! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Richard says
Kept the recipe the same, but added some sugar. It’s not Easter without Creamed Peas.
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear Richard!
Donna McMurray says
Do I have to do anything different if I add pearl onions to the mix?
Julie Evink says
No it shouldn’t need any changing.
Whitney says
I made this recipe using a gluten free flour blend and turned out amazing! I have celiac but trying to rebuild my recipes with things I can actually eat. For anyone with similar issues, I used exact measurements in recipe but just gluten free flour blend. Thank you so much!
Julie Evink says
Thanks for commenting with this information Whitney! So helpful!
Peggy says
Used fresh from the garden peas that I use cleaned a boiled for 6 minutes. Followed instructions as written, great flavor. I will make again.
Julie Evink says
Awesome Peggy! Nothing better than fresh garden peas!
Suzy says
Love these! But I keep having issues with using frozen peas. They turn out hard every time. I’ve tried different brands & different cooking times. So I tried canned peas & it was perfect. I don’t have a problem using canned. They’re delicious but I’d like to figure out what I’m doing wrong with the frozen. Any ideas what I could be doing wrong? Thanks for the delicious recipe! My hubby said they’re as good as his Momma’s. And that’s a huge compliment!
Courtney says
Hmmm… I’m not sure why you’re having issues.
Linda Doran says
I thought it was good. Gave some to my mom and she liked it. Used half &half.
Julie Evink says
Awesome to hear!
Linda Doran says
I thought it was good. Gave some to my mom and she liked them.
Tom says
It was amazing, put my own little twist on it. I used half and half instead of just milk. Made the sauce thicker and the flavor was awesome.
Julie Evink says
Glad you enjoyed it Tom! Great twist!