Sugar snap peas, also known as snap peas, are a variety of peas cultivated for their crisp exterior and sweet pea interior. I love them and prefer them to snow peas, which are similar but not as plump or sweet. They are great eaten raw, on their own, with a dip, or added to salads. And they are great cooked, used in stir-fries and vegetable sautés.

Early varieties of the plant originated in Europe and Asia, though they eventually migrated to the U.S. and have since become a beloved crop grown nationwide. This particular pea was cultivated in the 1970s as a perfect cross of snow and garden peas, with a refreshing blend of crunchy and sweet. This legume lends a sweet and pleasantly “green” or vegetal flavor to dishes.

How to Cook Sugar Snap Peas: Everything you need to know about how to choose, store, de-string, clean, cook, and eat sugar snap peas!

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When Are Sugar Snap Peas in Season?

Snap peas grow best in cooler environments with some moisture, meaning in the northeastern U.S., snap peas typically appear at farmers markets in late spring and early summer. Though usually not as abundant, these peas are also harvested in the fall, making them available around October as well. In slightly warmer parts of the U.S., snap peas are grown nearly year-round.

Are Sugar Snap Peas Nutritious?

Seriously nutritious! Very low in calories and fat and high in vitamin C, snap peas are a great vegetable to have on hand. They also provide fiber, which regulates digestion and helps you feel satiated. They have a low calorie content, around 27 calories per cup, and offer iron and potassium (via Verywell Fit). Snap peas have only positive nutritional value and are a great component of a healthy diet. 

How to Choose the Freshest Sugar Snap Peas

To pick the best snap peas for eating raw or cooked, look for a vibrant green color and a firm, plump outer pod with as few blemishes or soft spots as possible. Snap peas tend to lose their appealing crispness and “snap” as they age. They also don’t store for long, so once you pick out a winning bunch, enjoy them fairly soon. Otherwise, they can become tough and lose their sweet flavor.

Avoid snap peas with blemishes or that look dull or slightly mottled. You also should not buy peas that look dry, and if you can hear loose peas rattling around in the shells, the pods are probably past their prime.

How to De-String Sugar Snap Peas

The younger the sugar snaps, the more delicate the string that runs on either side of the pod. However, the strings should still be removed for the best eating experience. It’s a slightly annoying task, but if you have a friend and a cup of coffee, it goes by quickly! If you are serving snap peas to young children or people with chewing difficulties, this is an important step. The strings can be hard to chew and swallow.

Rinse your sugar snap peas in cold water. Slice or snap off one of the tips of each pod and use that tip to pull the string down and off one side of the pod. Do the same with the other tip, pulling it down and removing the string from the other side of the pod. Repeat!

The day I found a bag of string-less or de-stringed sugar snap peas in the supermarket was a game-changer for me. Keep you eyes open for those, wich are a huge time saver!

How to Store Sugar Snap Peas

Snap peas are best, the fresher they are. Store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to keep them at their freshest. Wash them only when you’re ready to eat or prepare them. They will keep like this for 3 to 5 days.

Snap Pea Substitutes

If you can’t find snap peas, snow peas are a similar variety with a comparable flavor. This variety is flatter and slightly less sweet because of the smaller size of the peas inside the pod, but it can be easily substituted.

Alternatively, snap peas can sometimes be found frozen, making them a great addition to cooked dishes even when out of season. Skip frozen sugar snaps for raw preparations.

How to Use Sugar Snap Peas

With very fresh snap peas, use their texture to your advantage and stick with simple uncooked recipes like this sugar snap pea salad or vegetarian pasta salad. 

With slightly older snap peas, try sautéing them or adding them to a stir-fry when, once lightly cooked, their super crisp bite isn’t a crucial component. Try this chicken, broccoli, and sugar snap pea stir fry or soy-glazed sugar snap peas.

FAQs

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9 Sugar Snap Pea Recipes

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Shrimp, Sugar Snap Pea, and Scallion Stir-Fry with Miso Sauce

This shrimp stir-fry recipe is a brilliant way to use fresh sugar snap peas. It’s also very adaptable to your diet or the ingredients you have on hand.

Stir Fry Variations

• You can absolutely swap out the sugar snap peas for any other kind of vegetable or add additional vegetables to your heart’s content. Sliced carrots, broccoli florets, snow peas, mushrooms, pieces of asparagus…whatever is in season.
• For a vegetarian option, swap out the shrimp for either 4 cups of cubed portobello mushrooms, extra-firm tofu, or a combination.
• You have the option of choosing hot cooked rice or noodles here to serve with the stir-fry. If you choose rice, pile the stir-fry on the rice or serve the rice on the side. If you choose noodles, you’ll want to add them directly into the skillet or wok with the stir-fry and toss so they mix in with the shrimp and vegetables and get nicely coated with the sauce.