These sweet, creamy, buttery, mushy peas make any meal (especially classic fish and chips) even better. It's an easy side dish that's so delicious, the first time I made it using fresh garden peas, I immediately made them again for dinner the same night.
Then two days later, I made them yet again after making a special trip to the grocery store just to buy frozen peas! This is the easiest and best-tasting mushy pea recipe I've ever eaten, and it remains a staple summer side dish!
What are Mushy Peas?
Mushy peas are a British side dish most often served with crispy fish and chips. They're made from marrowfat peas (peas that have been left to dry in the field causing their sugars to turn to carbs).
The large dried peas get soaked overnight in water with baking soda and then cooked until tender. Traditionally, often butter, salt, pepper, and sometimes a squeeze of lemon juice are added to make the classic mushy peas.
We prefer our mushy peas to be sweet like fresh peas, a little creamy, with a slight buttery flavor. To achieve this, use fresh or frozen sweet peas harvested at their peak, plus a little heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper, and blend.
Total creamy mashed peas deliciousness! If you're like us, the first time I made this recipe, we couldn't believe how great they were. And it immediately became one of our favorite (simplest) ways to eat peas.
If you love this easy side dish, try it with my ultra-crispy Authentic Fish and Chips, or these 4-minute perfectly pan-seared Argentinian Red Shrimp for a simple, quick dinner any night of the week!
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Homemade Mushy Peas Ingredients
If you love sweet peas, this easy but super delicious sweet pea side dish recipe uses just 3 ingredients (five if you count salt and pepper). This is a perfect side dish for fish and chips! I highly recommend doubling the recipe in case you end up eating them as quickly as we did😊.
- frozen sweet peas (or fresh)
- unsalted butter
- heavy cream
- salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Find the complete measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Mushy Peas (Creamy Peas)
You don't need any special equipment to make delicious mushy peas at home. If you've got a potato masher, blender, food processor, or immersion blender, you can make this delicious side dish in just minutes.
- Blanch the peas. Add frozen or fresh peas to lightly salted boiling water over high heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until bright green and tender. Strain the peas and place them into the bowl of a food processor or blender. *You may reserve a handful of whole peas to use as garnish.
- Finish the mushy peas. To the peas, add the butter and heavy cream and process or blend until the peas are creamy, slightly thick with some small pieces of peas left intact. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you need to thin it out simply drizzle a small amount of heavy cream until desired consistency is reached, top with reserved whole peas (if using), and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Mushy Peas recipe step-by-step photos
What to Eat With Mushy Peas
Mushy peas pair perfectly with too many things to mention, but here are a few recipes we like to serve with mushy peas all year long:
- British Style Fried Fish & Chips (the Crispiest Ever)
- Braised Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine Reduction Sauce (recipe coming soon)
- Extra Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders (crunchiest ever)
- 5-Minute Pan-Seared Flank Steak For Two (or a Crowd)
- How to Make Crispy Shallow-Fried Chicken Breast Cutlets (Cotoletta di Pollo)
- 4-Minute Perfect Pan-Seared Shrimp
- British Style Fish and Chips (Crispiest Fried Fish Ever)
- Crispy Shrimp Burger Recipe (Homemade Teochew Shrimp Patties + Video)
- Crispy Beer Battered Chicken Tenders (Chili's Copycat)
- 4-Minute Sauteed Shrimp Recipe (Pan-Seared Garlic Shrimp)
- Italian Diver Scallops au Gratin (Capesante Gratinate)
- Easy Crispy Chicken Breast Cutlets (Cotoletta di Pollo)
- 5-Minute Pan-Seared Flank Steak For Two (or a Crowd)
- Perfect Pan-Seared Thick-Cut Steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina)
Let's get started!
Print📖 Recipe
How to Make Mushy Peas Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy mushy peas recipe makes any meal (especially classic fish and chips) even better. An easy side dish that's so delicious, the first time I made it using fresh garden peas, I immediately cooked them again for dinner the same night. Then two days later, I made them yet again after making a special trip to the grocery store to buy frozen peas! This is the easiest and best-tasting mushy pea recipe I've ever eaten, and it remains a staple summer side dish!
Ingredients
- one 10 ounce package of frozen sweet peas (or fresh) (285g)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (15g)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (30g)
- salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Blanch the peas. Add frozen or fresh peas to lightly salted boiling water over high heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until bright green and tender. Strain the peas and place them into the bowl of a food processor or blender. *You may reserve a handful of whole peas to use as garnish.
- Finish the mushy peas. To the peas, add the butter and heavy cream and process or blend until the peas are creamy, slightly thick with some small pieces of peas left intact. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you need to thin it out simply drizzle a small amount of heavy cream until desired consistency is reached, top with reserved whole peas (if using), and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Use fresh or frozen sweet peas in this recipe (they both taste great).
Add more butter or heavy cream as desired, or to taste.
For a little extra flavor, you may add the 15g of butter (called for in the recipe) to a small pot or skillet and sauté a small amount of finely diced shallot until translucent but not browned. Add the shallot-butter mixture to the food processor (or Vitamix) along with the cream and blend with blanched peas.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
Jasonrex says
Really easy as the recipe says and great flavor! We eat a lot of sweet peas come springtime and this is a great recipe. Thanks😊
Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe, Jasonrex! We eat of lot of these when peas are in season too!
Hunter P. says
Perfect for fish and chips! Even out picky toddler enjoyed them.
Kelly says
Hunter, that's great! Especially if you were able to sneak in a few extra veggies for your kiddo😉. Dinner time can be hard, glad you could enjoy the peas 'as a family'😋!
Frank_furt says
These were perfect with fish n'chips! We really enjoyed the freshness of the peas and the creamy flavor from cream and butter. Our family's go-to mushy pea recipe from now on.
Kelly says
Frank, that's so cool to be added to your menu rotation! They also pair really well with braised shortribs:)