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Packed with flavor, this snow peas recipe makes a deliciously savory side dish that goes with just about everything. With plenty of garlic, butter, a pinch of chili flakes, and a squeeze of fresh lemon, you’ll finally have your family begging for veggies!
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Why This Recipe is So Good
- This isn’t one of those “quick” recipes that somehow takes 20 minutes once you factor in all the prep work. From start to finish, you’re looking at 5 minutes max – perfect for those nights when everyone’s starving and you need something green on the plate ASAP.
- It’s ridiculously versatile and crowd-pleasing! These snow peas work with so many mains! Try them with Marry Me Chicken, Grilled Beef Ribs, Bruschetta Chicken, or Sous Vide Pork Chops to round out your meal!
- Here’s the nutrition of snow peas – they’re packed with vitamin C (more than oranges!), vitamin K for strong bones, and fiber for healthy digestion. Plus, they’re naturally low in calories but high in nutrients – which means the kids get all the good stuff while thinking they’re just eating something crunchy, garlicky, and slathered in butter!
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- When selecting snow peas, look for bright green pods that are flat and crisp, with no yellow spots or signs of wilting. They should feel firm and make a satisfying snap when you break them. Avoid any that look limp or have dark spots – they won’t give you that satisfying crunch!
- Have everything prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. This recipe moves fast, and you don’t want to be mincing garlic while your snow peas are overcooking in the pan.
- If you want to switch the oil, you need something with a high smoke point since we’re cooking at high heat. Olive oil will work in a pinch, but it might smoke a bit. Coconut oil gives a slightly different flavor if you’re into that.
- It might be tempting to use whatever spread is in your fridge, but actual butter creates that rich, glossy coating that makes these snow peas irresistible. Salted or unsalted both work fine.
Recipe Variations
Make it Asian-inspired: Swap the lemon for a splash of soy sauce and finish with toasted sesame seeds. Add a tiny bit of sesame oil at the end for extra flavor.
Go Mediterranean: Sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese and a few torn fresh mint leaves instead of the chili flakes.
Boost the Protein: Toss in some toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds during the last minute of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh is definitely best for this recipe, but if you’re in a pinch, frozen will work. Reduce the cooking time to about 1 minute, as they’re already partially cooked.
They should be bright green and still have a slight crunch when you bite them. If they start to look dull green or feel soft, you’ve gone too far!
This recipe is really best served fresh, but you can prep the snow peas (clean and trim them) up to a day ahead and store them in the fridge. It’ll make the cooking time even faster.
Just skip the red chili flakes! The recipe is still delicious without them.
More Tasty Veggie Side Dishes
- Roasted Radishes with Garlic Browned Butter
- Cheesy Roasted Asparagus
- Grilled Green Tomatoes
- Homemade Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
- Stuffed Tomatoes
- Easy Sauteed Zucchini
- Pan Fried Potatoes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Simple Sous Vide Potatoes
- Roasted Kale
- Creamy Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Sautéed Snow Peas
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan 10-12 inch works best
- Sharp pairing knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 cups snow peas
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- pinch of red chili flakes
- half a lemon
Instructions
- Clean 2 cups of snow peas by snapping off the stem ends and pulling the fibrous strings down the length of each pod on both sides.
- Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and is almost smoking.
- Add 3 cloves minced garlic to the hot oil and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the 2 cups cleaned snow peas to the pan and sauté for exactly 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Remove the skillet from heat and immediately add 1 tablespoon butter, allowing it to melt and coat the snow peas. Season generously with salt and pepper, add a pinch of red chili flakes, and squeeze the juice from half a lemon over everything. Toss to combine and serve immediately.
Substitutions: Sugar snap peas can be used as a substitute for snow peas, using the same cooking method.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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