EASY Step by Step Instructions on how to freeze Sugar Snap Peas without blanching! This is a simple way to preserve your Summer Sugar Snap Peas to last for months without needing to can them! I love freezing peas to use in Winter soups, casseroles and stir fry meals!
We always grow sugar snap peas twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. With close to a hundred plants, we end up with big harvests, often picking over 10 pounds of peas a week. With that many peas it’s hard to keep up with eating them fresh so I wanted to show you how I freeze them to last for months. Often I don’t have the extra time to blanch and dry the peas, so this is a easy no fuss way to freeze sugar snap peas without blanching. (PS. What else works great this way? Bok Choy!)
Steps to freeze sugar snap peas without blanching.
Step 1: Preferably don’t clean them. If you grow your own then you probably have no reason to wash them. If you have to, make sure you dry them completely.
Step 2: Destring each pea pod. This is what takes the most time. Make sure to remove strings on both sides.
Step 3: Cut each pea into 2 pieces.
Step 4: Put peas in a freezer bag and label it.
Step 5: Try to seal the bag as best as you can. I use the straw method which is inserting a straw into the bag and zipping it up to straw, sucking all the air out, quickly removing the straw and closing bag completely.
Now let’s start destringing these peas!
This is the longest part of the process, but once you get in a good destringing rhythm, you’ll be done in no time.
Now you’ll have a whole bunch of peas.
Cut each pea into 2 pieces.
Put them in a bag and suck the heck out of that air.
Close the bag and freeze them! They’re ready for you in the freezer whenever you need some peas!
Enjoy and freeze away!
Use these in vegetable dishes just like you’d use other frozen vegetables. They still have that nice crunch even after freezing them!
Sharon Abraham says
Freezing without blanching is GREAT!
Kate says
When I thaw the frozen sugar snap pea pieces will they be cripy enough to put in salads raw? or will they be slimy or soft?
Patti Zacek says
I have frozen fresh sugar snap peas like this and have had great success. they stay fresh and crispy. I don’t cut mine in half. I just destring them and put in the freezer bag.
Going to freeze bok choy today. I love that I can save fresh veggies.
Shelby says
I recently froze store bought SSPs, not knowing that you needed to prepare them before doing so. :/ Are they totally ruined or will I be able to salvage them?
Joleen says
I am curious as to why you cut the peas in half?
Pamela says
Hey Joleen, I do this because they usually always get used in recipes that call for cut peas. If you’d like to leave them whole, you can.
Chuck says
That will save even more time…no cutting…thanks joleen….
Marvin says
we Freeze our green beans the same way, works great we have fresh green beans all year, still a good crisp snap to them.
Pamela says
Thanks for sharing Marvin! Love that crispy snap to the peas!
Gina says
I bought snap peas and had them in my fridge. Unfortunately my fridge froze just about everything that was in there. Now the snap peas look crystallized and wet. Are they still good? What can I do with them?
Pamela says
Hey Gina, if they aren’t mushy, I think they’d still be fine in a stir fry or casserole!
Nancy Mercer says
Hi Pamela, I just picked 3 gal. of snap peas and was wondering what to do with them, I am definitely going to try your freezing method, it seems so simple. Cannot wait to try them when the season is over. Great to know I will have fresh peas in the fall. Thanks for the great tips
Pamela says
That’s my favorite part – being able to use Summer harvest on a snowy day! Enjoy Nancy!
Cathy says
Thanks for info. I put 3 bags in today (have vacuume sealer and love it). Have you done corn on the cob? — don’t wash or allow water to touch, just brush ears(wipe with soft cloth, if desired), seal. To cook, place a frozen,wrapped (wax paper or plastic wrap) in microwave. 2 min defrost, 2 min high. If you cut corn off the cob– do not wash or allow a drop of water to touch, cut into a bowl and microwave in 3 min incraments for 6-9 min until corn is cooked. Cool quickly by pouring into a bowl that sits over ice, again–no water touches the corn. Stir until cook package, label freeze. When time to cook, use microwave and reheat, add seasonings and butter, if desired, but no water! Tastes like fresh from the garden. Many of my friends use this method now. ( just remember to cool quickly, and no water! Corn can sour if left to cool on its own). Thanks again for your method for sugar peas.
Pamela says
Thanks for the corn tips Cathy, I’ll definitely keep this in mind when it’s corn picking time! Enjoy your peas!
Susan says
Great idea! I can’t wait to have veggies growing in my garden again!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Pamela, I enjoy your fresh grown. Can’t wait to see what you have this spring, feels so refreshing. Absolutely not lucky like you, I just buy them when I want and get some fresh stuff. Nothing to beat home grown.
Betty says
I am looking forward to fresh sugar snaps from the garden! Now I have to content myself with those from the grocery which just aren’t the same. I’ve always blanched mine to freeze, but this is so much easier. I’ll try your method this spring. 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
I love all these photos Pamela! Sugar Snap Peas are one of my favorites, so knowing how to freeze them is really really helpful!
Monica says
We just had a great dish of sugar snap peas at my mother in law’s last weekend when we went for an early Chinese New Year lunch. It was so crisp and deliciously sweet. I may not have any to freeze but you’ve reminded me to buy and cook some up at home soon.
Ashley says
Oh gosh, I’m dreaming of spring too. It’s been so so cold!!
And what a great tutorial!
Launna says
This is great Pamela… are there other vegetables I can do this with? I could clean and cut them while watching a show on TV, then I will feel like I accomplished something 🙂 I love peas too… and I eat a lot of vegetables xox
Pamela says
Hey Launna, here’s my entire guide: https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/how-to-store-and-freeze-vegetables-and-fruits/
Melanie says
Cool! Thank you for the tips!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
cheri says
Hi Pamela, great tips, will be bookmarking this for summer, thanks!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Such a great tip, I love it Pamela. Thanks. Does it extend the life of them if you pop them in the fridge like this? Or do they just go mushie?
PS: Sending you sunshine and warmth, it’s pretty hot down under at the moment. 🙂
Pamela says
Hey Anna, you can definitely still taste a crunch after taking them out of the freezer. Thanks for that sunshine!
The Squishy Monster says
I love that you found cheer with these sweet ole’ peas. They’re so vibrant, I’ve pulled inspiration from them as well. I can only imagine how cold it is up there for you guys!
Juliana says
Thanks for this informative post Pamela…and I love the idea of how you suck the air out of the bag…
Enjoy the rest of your week 🙂
glamdevils says
Amazing tip. Thanks for sharing!
xx
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Great idea! We’ll be growing sugar snap peas this year, and always have way more than we can use when they’re at their peak. So freezing them is ideal, and this is such a simple way to do it. Thanks!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Pamela, I have never frozen sugar snap peas without blanching. I love your technique! Thanks for sharing and keep warm!
yummychunklet says
Thanks for sharing this technique!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This is a great tip. We always grow peas too, and I need to start freezing them. Hope spring comes soon for you….or at least some warmer temps.