Creamed Peas are a simple, comforting side dish that can be prepared in just minutes! This classic creamed peas recipe is made with just four basic ingredients and makes for a delicious addition to holiday meals yet is easy enough for weeknight dinners! Easy peasy!
Serve with these favorite side dishes: Creamed Corn, Funeral Potatoes, and Sweet Potato Casserole!
Creamed Peas Recipe
At any point in my life if you asked me what my favorite vegetable was the answer would remain the same: peas. I know they aren’t the most glamorous of all vegetables and they certainly aren’t the most popular but I have been a huge fan since I was a little kid. The Pea Salad salad I shared earlier this year is one of my all-time favorite side dishes.
This Creamed Peas recipe is certainly a step up from the canned peas I ate in my youth and yet so simple to make that they make appearances for weeknight meals as well as for the holidays.
With just four basic ingredients (flour, butter, milk and peas) they are an easy and delicious side dish that can be pulled together quickly and tastes amazing. Comfort food for sure!
What Are Creamed Peas?
Creamed Peas is a simple, easy to make side dish that comes together in just minutes. It starts with a roux and then you add milk to make a Béchamel sauce. Next you will stir in the peas and cook for a few minutes. That’s the basic recipe.
You can of course add various seasonings, butter or fresh herbs to garnish. I like to finish my creamed peas recipe with a little heavy cream for richness.
If you are a fan of my Creamed Corn recipe, you can swap in the frozen peas for the corn in that recipe for a delicious variation of these Creamed Peas!
More Side Dish Favorites
Side dishes make the meal! I’ve said it a million times and that’s because it’s true. A few awesome side dishes can take any meal – holiday or otherwise – to the next level. Don’t miss out on these favorites:
What You’ll Need
You are going to love how easy this recipe is! As always, you can find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Now let’s take a look at what you’ll need to have on hand:
- unsalted butter and all purpose flour Рto create the roux for the B̩chamel sauce.
- garlic powder – optional but adds a nice flavor to the peas.
- whole milk – or half and half. If using half and half, you likely will not need the heavy cream as well.
- salt and pepper – you can can use white or black pepper.
- frozen peas – if you only have canned peas, add them at the very end. You don’t want to overcook or they will become mushy.
- heavy cream – I like to finish the creamed peas with a little heavy cream to add some richness to the dish. The cream is totally optional and can be omitted if you prefer.
You can use canned peas in this recipe but they should be added at the very end and cooked for only a couple minutes, otherwise, they will turn mushy.
How To Make Creamed Peas
This simple recipe comes together so fast!
- Melt butter and then whisk in the flour.
- Next, slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the peas next and cook until the peas are heated through.
- Next, stir in heavy cream and check for seasonings.
- Finally, garnish and serve.
Amp Up The Flavor
Thinking about amping up the flavor in this simple recipe? Here are a few of our favorite ingredients to add:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Nutmeg
- Herbs
- Bacon or Ham
- Onions (pearl onions are always a good idea)
- Potatoes
Creamed Peas too thick? Stir in a little milk or chicken stock, a tablespoon or two at a time. Too thin? Add a little heavy cream, a tablespoon or two at a time.
Storage Information
Storing Leftovers
Leftover creamed peas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the peas by placing in microwave and heat at 50% power in 30 second increments or warm slowly over low heat on the stove.
Freezing
Cooled creamed peas to freezer safe ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Holiday Favorites
- Mashed Potatoes
- Dinner Rolls
- Cranberry Sauce
- Turkey Gravy
- Cornbread Stuffing
- Green Bean Recipe
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Loaded Scalloped Potatoes
- Creamed Corn
How To Make Creamed Peas
Creamed Peas
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- 2 cups whole milk or half and half
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
- 4 cups frozen peas
- ¼ cup heavy cream optional
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium high heat in a medium sized saucepan.4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Whisk the flour and garlic powder (if using) into the butter until incorporated and smooth.3 tablespoons all purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cook, stirring frequently, over medium high heat until the mixture has thickened, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.2 cups whole milk, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon white pepper
- Add the peas and cook, stirring frequently, until the peas are heated through, about 4 minutes.4 cups frozen peas
- Stir in heavy cream and check for seasonings.¼ cup heavy cream
- Garnish with additional pepper, butter, fresh chopped chives or dill. Serve and enjoy!
ZainabsDeen says
The original recipe is fantastic and I highly recommend it. I made the following alterations last night because I only had 1 3/4C of frozen peas to work with, and some leftover bits to use. I halved the recipe. I cooked 1/4 yellow onion in the butter until translucent before adding the flour (bread flour). Along with the garlic powder I added a pinch of nutmeg and some minced smoked Turkey wing. Added a splash of heavy cream to the whole milk. I choose to use white pepper . Everyone (including picky toddlers) loved it! The comments were “Wow! Oh my god! Mmmmm sooo good! You put your whole leg forget the foot! Fancy fancy!” So yea, I’m going to repeat this again – but on special occasions because it just feels rich and luxurious. I told them it was called “petits pois au betchamel”. Just being silly. Later I told them it’s just creamed peas with some alterations.
Barbara says
My mother used to make a dish of creamed peas with new potatoes – so delicious!
Krisa says
I love creamed peas! My mother always added sage rather than garlic as the seasoning. Nice change and delicious. I will make it soon so thanks for the post. I had forgotten it for awhile. Love your recipes. Thank you.
Sharon says
My aunt made this dish with carrots! She would slice them and cook them til almost soft, and make the sauce while they were cooking. She drain the carrots and pour the sauce over them …soooo good! The pea version is great also!
Gene says
My wife isn’t a huge veggie fan except for salads but I watched her down a bowl of these peas during dinner like I’d never seen! 🙂
Great recipe, thanks for sharing! 🙂
I added a couple of items РI started off with chopped bacon and added onions to saut̩, then added half of the butter. The rest of the recipe I kept the same and it was delicious!
Joyce says
My mother used to make creamed peas when I was young. She made them from the peas she picked and shelled along with a few green onions she pulled from the garden. I have never been able to make them and have them taste as good as hers did. Thank you for the recipe I will try it has made me hungry for creamed peas. I am in my late 70 s .
Joyce says
I am Joyce also. I am 65. My mom had fresh garden peas as well. Seriously. It’s just a different flavor from even frozen peas. And personally I think canned peas are just GROSS! BUT anything from the garden is truly a WINNER!
Daisy says
I cooked off diced onions and mushrooms first in butter and put to side. I added them back in at the end. Topped the dish with crumbled bacon and a little pecorino cheese. It was very good.
Linda says
I am going to add kohlrabi to the creamed peas.
This is a delicious dish
Terra says
This recipe is a keeper! My husband and I enjoyed it very much. Substituted margarine for butter and added regular onions, cut small, potatoes, chives and nutmeg and it was delicious! Mind you, 4 cups of peas makes quite a lot so it would be better for a whole family instead of 2 people, but will freeze the rest.