Look no further than this easy Sugar Snap Peas recipe for a fresh healthy side dish. It takes only 5 ingredients and a few short minutes to make. The garlic and lemon make it bright and extra flavorful.
I love sugar snap peas, and I particularly love them when they are in season and fresh from my garden. I usually grab one or two as I walk by the garden beds and bite right into them.
Much of the time I eat them raw. But I also love to toss them into stir fries and other quick meals. They’re fabulous in Keto Pepper Steak or my Italian Sausage Soup. I also use them in a keto friendly 7 Layer Salad.
But in this easy side dish, sugar snap peas play the starring role. Lightly sautéed to tender-crisp perfection, they pair perfectly with your favorite entrees.
You will love this fresh and easy recipe
Despite their name, sugar snap peas are quite low in carbohydrate, so they are suitable for keto diets. Since you eat the whole pod, they are also full of fiber.
When ripe and fresh, snap peas are tender and flavorful. But sautéing them lightly in some olive oil makes them even more tender. And the addition of fresh garlic and lemon zest enhances that fresh summer flavor.
They don’t need much cooking at all to bring out the best. About 6 to 8 minutes in a hot pan with oil is sufficient. I don’t recommend cooking them longer, as they become a little shriveled and taste much less fresh.
Bags of snap peas from the store often come pre-trimmed. But if you buy them fresh from the farmer’s market or grow them yourself, you will want to trim them and remove the strings. This is actually quite easy and quick, and I’ve provided detailed instructions below.
How to trim sugar snap peas
- Wash the snap peas and pat dry.
- Hold a pea pod in one hand with the inner curve facing you.
- Gently press a sharp paring knife to the back of the pod, just under the stem.
- Once you make a small cut in the back of the pod, pull forward and down to peel away the string.
Tip: Keep the pressure very gentle as you cut into the pod so you don’t cut yourself. You can also wear a silicone thimble or cut-resistant gloves to protect yourself.
Be sure to check out my video in the recipe card to see it in action!
Ingredients you need
- Sugar snap peas: The fresher, the better!
- Olive oil: You can also use butter or avocado oil.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Lemon zest: Grate it fresh over the cooked snap peas.
- Salt and pepper
Step by Step Directions
1. Wash and trim the peas: Trim the snap peas and remove the stem and string, if they aren’t already.
2. Heat the oil: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the snap peas and toss to coat.
3. Sauté the peas: Add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and sauté until the peas are bright green and tender-crisp.
4. Season and serve: Remove from heat and add the lemon zest. Toss to combine and add additional seasoning to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite their name, sugar snap peas are very keto friendly. One 3-ounce (85g) serving of raw snap peas has about 6 grams of carbs and 2 grams of fiber. This recipe for sautéed sugar snap peas has 6.3g of carbs and 2.1g of fibers, so it has 4.2g net carbs per serving.
You can eat raw snap peas with no real preparation at all. They are crunchy and delicious. If you plan on cooking them, you may want to remove the stem and string prior to doing so. Then sauté until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Add a little seasoning and enjoy!
Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop in a warm pan.
What to serve with sugar snap peas
Oven Roasted Salmon
This oven roasted salmon results in buttery, flaky fish that’s table ready in less than 30 minutes. It is hands down my family’s favorite keto salmon recipe. So nutritious and satisfying.
Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
These parmesan crusted pork chops are extra tender and juicy, with a crispy browned exterior. A two step cooking method locks in flavor both inside and out!
Easy Chicken Dijon
Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs come alive in this classic Chicken Dijon recipe. With a rich, creamy sauce, this one-pan meal comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Sugar Snap Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb sugar snap peas
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Trim the snap peas and remove the string, if they aren't already. (See blog post for detailed instructions).
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the snap peas and toss to coat.
- Add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and sauté until the peas are bright green and tender-crisp, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the lemon zest. Toss to combine and add additional seasoning to taste.
CMFoodie says
Simple yet very flavorful, the lemon zest made the peas sing! I served it alongside firecracker salmon and yellow rice. It was a hit, will have it on repeat. Thank you for sharing!
Dave Cannon says
Easy to prepare. Lots of flavor.
Debbie McDonald says
These were absolutely delicious!! I’ll definitely be making them again!!
Jody says
These were an absolutely delicious side dish to a rotisserie cornish hen. Never would have thought to make on keto as a side dish. Thank you for all your hard work on the recipes
Chris says
Finally got chance to try this, it is excellent! Didn’t need any additional seasoning, and agree with previous comment on the lemon zest!
Carolyn says
Thank you!
Tricia says
My husband doesn’t normally comment on vegetables, but he gave an unsolicited thumbs-up to this recipe. The lemon zest was such a nice addition.
Carolyn says
That’s great to hear!