Cream peas are the perfect side dish. Tender peas meld with the creamy sauce and taste of parmesan for a great addition to any dinner.
Cream peas are a simple, yet elegant side dish. The peas are rich and creamy with a natural sweetness. With a bright, fresh finish from the lemon zest and lemon juice, it’s a wonderful recipe to welcome spring.
We love these cream peas alongside Salisbury steak and honey glazed carrots. The versatility and simplicity of this dish makes it equally perfect for your Easter menu, a holiday dinner, or a simple summer supper.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Everyday, simple ingredients – This easy cream peas recipe is a delicious side dish, and it uses simple, pantry staple ingredients. It’s a win-win!
Great for weeknight dinners – Because this recipe ready in about 30 minutes, it is perfect for both weeknights or a holiday meal.
Kid friendly – Cream peas are a family favorite. That isn’t always the case with vegetable side dishes, but cream peas are always a hit. Especially when paired with garlic mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Half and half – If you don’t have half and half on hand, you can use whole milk or heavy cream.
Frozen peas – Skip the cans of peas on this recipe. Frozen peas allow the final dish to have tender sweet peas that are a tiny bit firm. If you don’t have green peas, you could use purple hull peas.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cream Peas
Step 1: In a large saucepan or a high-sided skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Step 2: Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half until smooth.
Step 3: Add the frozen peas and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Let the mixture cook until the cream thickens, about 10–15 minutes. Keep the heat moderate — you want a gentle simmer, not a boil.
Step 4: Stir in the parmesan until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then finish with a bit of lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice. Take a moment to taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve right away.
Tips
- Adjust the thickness. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of milk or cream. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer.
- Adding the fresh lemon juice and zest is a wonderful touch to brighten this dish.
- Store leftover peas in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of cream or milk.
Recipe FAQs
Cream peas are a side dish where peas are coated in a light cream sauce of milk or cream, flour, and butter.
Fresh lady cream peas are a type of cow pea that are typically used in Southern cuisine with pearl onions and a ham hock. You can use them in this recipe as well.
Yes, they are the same. Zipper peas are a type of fresh peas typical in the Southern United States.
More Recipes from the Farmhouse
- Corn Casserole
- Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
- Dill Potato Salad
- Whole Wheat Sourdough Rolls
- Green Bean Casserole
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
Easy Cream Peas Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ of one small onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 4 cups frozen peas
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest, optional
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or a high-sided skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half until smooth.
- Add the frozen peas and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Let the mixture cook until the cream thickens, about 10–15 minutes. Keep the heat moderate — you want a gentle simmer, not a boil.
- Stir in the parmesan until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then finish with a bit of lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Take a moment to taste and adjust the seasoning or add additional salt, then serve right away.
Notes
- Adjust the thickness. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of milk or cream. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer.
- Adding the fresh lemon juice and zest is a wonderful touch to brighten this dish.
- Leftovers reheat well with a splash of cream or milk.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
