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You are here: Home / Recipes / Recipes by Course / Side Dishes / Easy Crushed Minted Peas

Easy Crushed Minted Peas

Published on September 26, 2016 by Helen Best-Shaw 14 Comments
Last Updated on July 26, 2021

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This delicious crushed minted peas recipe, is a grown up twist on traditional mushy peas. Ready in just 10 minutes it is the perfect side to serve with fish and chips!

Deliciously vibrant green crushed minted peas, served on a white plate with some hot smoked salmon.

Everything You Need To Know

  • Minted peas
  • Why make crushed minted peas?
  • Minted Peas Ingredients
  • How to make smashed minted peas – step by step
  • Variations
  • Storage / Freezing
  • Hints and Tips
  • FAQS
  • More Peas, or serve with
  • Easy Smashed Minted Peas

Minted peas

This delicious crushed minted peas recipe is a classic British side dish that is so easy, it needs just three ingredients and minimal prep. Fresh and light, with garden peas rather than marrowfats, I think far this is a much nicer twist on mushy peas.

Minted peas are very versatile as a side dish, and perfect for summer. Serve with different meats (especially lamb) or fish, or with light vegetarian main dishes as a bright and zingy treat.

I find this recipe is just as good served cold, perhaps with a frittata, so you may want to make extra for tomorrow’s lunch.

Frozen peas are always great quality and so fresh as they are frozen within hours of being harvested. You can make this crushed minted peas recipe restaurant style with sweet petit pois or use everyday peas for a weeknight dish.

Why make crushed minted peas?

  • So quick and easy
  • A delicious twist on that bag of frozen peas that everyone has to hand
  • Inexpensive everyday ingredients

Minted Peas Ingredients

  • Frozen Peas – For a more sophisticated dish use petit pois, but the regular everyday frozen peas are also great.
  • Butter – Salted or unsalted, it doesn’t matter
  • Fresh Mint – Use regular common garden mint (mentha spicata) for this, not fierce peppermint or the fancy varieties that are supposed to taste of chocolate or pineapple!

Mint is remarkably easy and fast to grow, and spreads like wildfire. Plant some, but keep it in a container, or window box so it doesn’t take over in the garden. Keep cutting it to keep the fresh, soft leaves coming, and cut it right back at the end of autumn for fresh growth in spring.  

How to make smashed minted peas – step by step

Step by step instructions, with hints and tips for how to make this perfectly every time.

Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.

Step One – Bring a pan of water to the boil. Then add the peas. Once the pan has come back to a simmer, cook for three minutes.

Alternatively put the peas in a microwave-safe bowl, or jug. Pour a kettle of boiling water over the top and microwave for about three minutes, or until defrosted and cooked.

Step Two – While the peas are cooking, cut the mint into fine ribbon. Reserve a few whole leaves for garnishing.

Step Three – Drain the peas, and return to the pan, along with the butter. Stir over a low heat until the butter has melted.

If you are making your minted peas in the microwave add the butter and cook for another 10 seconds.

Step Four – Smash the peas with a potato masher. Alternatively, briefly pulse with a stick blender or in a mini chopper or food processor. You want to retain some texture, rather than make a smooth puree.

Step Five – Stir through the mint leaves, and season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon when serving with fish or lamb.

From above: a serving of crushed mint peas, served with hot smoked salmon, bright red tomatoes and peppery watercress.

Variations

  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice or some zest. I find this is especially good if serving with lamb.
  • Fry a shallot or garlic and stir in.
  • Serve either hot or cold.
  • Make it vegan by substituting good quality olive oil for the butter.

Storage / Freezing

Can be kept in the fridge overnight and served cold the next day.

Hints and Tips

  • Do not add salt to the water when cooking the peas, as it can make the skins tough.
  • Serve on toast as a twist on avocado toast. Think of it as British bruschetta!

FAQS

Can I use fresh or frozen peas?

Both will work perfectly, although the recipe uses frozen peas. You will need about three times the quantity of fresh peas. Cooking time will be the same.

How do I cook frozen peas?

Either boil on the stove top for 3 minutes, or put in a microwaveable bowl, pour over a kettle of freshly boiled water and microwave for 3 minutes.

It best not to add salt to the cooking water, as it can cause the peas to toughen up.

More Peas, or serve with

  • Braised lettuce and peas – the best way to cook lettuce!
  • Pea and lettuce soup – fat free and delicious!
  • Pasta and pea pesto – use fresh, frozen or canned peas for this delicious pesto
  • Cannon of lamb – garlic and lemon lamb pairs perfectly with peas
  • Savoury mince – this is already packed with veggies, but the peas go wonderfully with it!
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Close up showing how vibrantly bright green delicious crushed minted peas are.
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4.89 from 9 votes

Easy Smashed Minted Peas

Easy minted peas with just three ingredients – served hot or cold, the perfect accompaniment to lamb, fish and any summer supper.
Servings: 2
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins
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Ingredients

  • 150 g frozen peas (1½ cups)
  • sprig of fresh mint (stalk discarded and leaves chopped)
  • 1 tbsp butter

Optional

  • squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Heat a pan of water and simmer the peas for 4 minutes. Alternatively, cook the peas in a bowl in the microwave, covered with a little boiling water.
  • Drain and return to the pan. Add the butter.
  • Smash the peas with a potato masher, or briefly pulse with a stick blender or in a mini chopper or food processor. You want to retain some texture, rather than make a smooth puree.
  • Stir through the mint leaves, season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon when serving with fish or lamb.
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Smashed Minted Peas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 64
% Daily Value*
Sodium 585mg25%
Potassium 244mg7%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 590IU12%
Vitamin C 30.6mg37%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side
Cuisine: British
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Filed Under: Easy Ways to Extra Veg (and Fruit), Quick & Easy, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetables, £ Ingredients: Mint, Peas

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Beth

    5 stars
    this is a fantastic way to cook and serve peas!

    Reply
  2. [email protected]

    Lovely and clean-tasting way to have mashed peas.

    Reply
  3. Sus

    4 stars
    I don’t like peas on their own, but as soon as mint is added to the mix I love them!

    Reply
    • Helen

      So quick and easy, and a good twist on mushy peas.

      Reply
  4. Michelle

    5 stars
    Love smashed and minted peas! so delicious!

    Reply
  5. Emma

    Great way to make smashed peas!

    Reply
  6. Pam

    I love this so much – such a great use of frozen peas!

    Reply
  7. JulieP

    5 stars
    I love peas – this is our new go to with fish and chips!
    thanks for the recipes.

    Reply
  8. Diana

    5 stars
    Adding the lemon makes them taste even more amazing – what a great idea!

    Reply
  9. Nina

    5 stars
    best way with frozen peas! 10/10!

    Reply
  10. Wendy M

    5 stars
    These minted peas are absolutely amazing and perfect to go with fish and chips. The mint isn’t overpowering and makes the peas that little bit more exciting.

    Reply
  11. Bryan B

    5 stars
    A very tasty version of mushy peas and very easy to make.

    Reply
  12. Gail Matthews

    5 stars
    Mint with peas always adds that extra special flavour and just right for serving with lamb.

    Reply
  13. connie

    5 stars
    Super amazing that something so simple can become something so delicious. So much better than mushy peas.

    Reply

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