How to Cook Frozen Peas and Carrots

How to cook frozen peas and carrots perfectly on the stove or microwaving to tender. NO boiling, instead just use butter for the best result! Once you know how to cook frozen vegetables right you can have them year round with dinner.

Cooking frozen peas and carrots perfectly was the goal with this one. To show you all the ways you can take them straight out of the freezer and to tender as a healthy vegetable side dish. Great way to serve them year round, and super cheap too. (affiliate links present)

How to Cook Frozen Peas and Carrots

Microwaving is a quick and convenient method to cook frozen peas and carrots. Simply place the frozen vegetables in a microwave-safe dish, add a little water if desired, cover, and microwave on high for a few minutes until tender.

1. Boiling is a simple way to cook them, but you will lose nutrients in the process. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the frozen vegetables, and cook for a few minutes until tender. Drain the water and season the vegetables to taste with salt, pepper, and butter or olive oil.
2. Air frying frozen vegetables is a quick way that will get the insides tender with a bit of crisp too.
3. Steaming is a gentle, quick and easy, healthy way to cook frozen peas and carrots while preserving their nutrients and colors. Use a steamer basket or a microwave-safe steaming dish, add a small amount of water, and steam the vegetables until tender.
4. Instant Pot vegetable cook times printable is here showing you how long each takes, fresh vs. frozen.

Sautéing frozen buttered peas and frozen carrots in a little oil or butter adds flavor and creates a delicious side dish. Heat a skillet or frying pan, add the frozen vegetables, and cook until they are heated through and slightly browned on the edges. Serve warm in less than 15 minutes.

Roasting frozen vegetables in oven brings out their natural sweetness and enhances their flavors. Toss the frozen vegetables with olive oil, salt, and your favorite herbs or spices, spread them on a baking sheet, and roast at a high temperature until they are tender and slightly caramelized.

Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables

Now there are several popular brands out there, this and Green Giant are the most popular. Nowadays most places have their own store brand as well which typically is a fraction of the price and literally no difference. Larger names such as this one are starting to offer microwavable bags. Just pop it in and cook. If you don’t like that idea we have others here to choose from.

1. Stir-frying is a popular cooking method for these and often times included in Asian cuisine. Heat a wok or a large skillet, add a little oil, and stir-fry the frozen vegetables along with other ingredients like garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a flavorful and colorful dish.
2. Adding to Soups and Stews can be added directly to soups and stews during the cooking process. The heat from the soup or stew will thaw and cook the vegetables, infusing them with the flavors of the dish.
3. Incorporating into Casseroles before baking them is a game changer. They will cook perfectly while adding color and texture to the dish. We do this with our chicken pot pie casserole and others.

If you want to mix and match more than one cooked together, choose those that have similar cook times.

Frozen Peas and Carrots in Microwave

Now we have cooked from fresh, meaning peeled and sliced carrots in the microwave as well. I will say that during the summer months I will definitely opt for fresh if I can find it and they look good.

1. Select a microwave safe dish that is large enough to hold the amount of sliced frozen vegetables you want to cook. A bowl or plate with a cover or plastic wrap will work well.
2. Take the desired amount of frozen peas and carrots from the package. There’s no need to thaw them beforehand; cooking them from frozen works perfectly fine.
3. Transfer the frozen peas and carrots into the microwave-safe dish, spreading them out evenly. You can add a small amount of water, about 1-2 tablespoons, to the dish if you prefer softer vegetables, but this step is optional.
4. If using a plate or bowl without a cover, you can use microwave-safe plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid to cover the dish partially. This helps retain steam and moisture during cooking.

How to Microwave Frozen Vegetables

1. Microwave on high power for about 4-6 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage and the quantity of vegetables you are cooking. Check the vegetables after 3-4 minutes and stir them gently to ensure even cooking.
2. After the initial cooking time, check for doneness. They should be tender and heated through. If they need more cooking time, microwave in 1-minute increments, checking and stirring in between, until they reach the desired level of tenderness.
3. Once cooked to perfection, remove. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, or any other preferred seasonings. You can also add a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.

Similar to cooking corn on the cob in the microwave, this is a game changer when you don’t want to heat up your house on hot days. You are going to need a dish that is okay to use in this machine This is a very speedy way to add some colorful veggies to your plate.

Frozen Peas and Carrots on Stove

Any method that doesn’t require boiling in hot water will preserve the nutrients in the vegetables while providing you with a delicious and hassle free side dish for any occasion. If you have only done this “old fashioned” method you should really try others as the texture is better and the vitamins will remain in tact.

• In a large skillet, begin to melt 1 Tbsp of butter over medium heat.
• Add the frozen peas, carrots and 2 Tbsp of water.
• Continue to saute over medium low heat until the vegetables are tender (stirring occasionally).
• This will take 4-5 minutes.
• Stir in remaining 2 Tbsp of butter, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes and a dash of salt & pepper about 1 minute before you’re ready to serve. 
• Once tender to your liking serve immediately for best texture results.

You would do the same thing with fresh peas really. Eliminating the water and just cooking in butter gives them so much more flavor and they don’t shrivel up like they do when boiled. Easy side dish your whole family will love. Still have picky eaters? Add a bit of brown sugar into the mix like our glazed carrots at the beginning.

How to Season Peas and Carrots

Seasoning this peas and carrots recipe is subjective, use what you love and have on hand. Here are some simple and tasty ways to season peas and carrots:

1. The classic combination of salt and pepper is a straightforward and effective way to season peas and carrots. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and a dash of freshly ground black pepper to taste.
2. Add richness and a hint of nuttiness to the vegetables by drizzling them with melted butter or extra virgin olive oil. Toss them in the fat with some dried thyme leaves and garlic salt to coat them evenly.
3. Sauté minced garlic in a little butter or olive oil until fragrant, then add the cooked peas and carrots to the pan. Toss them with chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or dill for a burst of flavor.
4. Grate some dried lemon zest over the peas and carrots to brighten up their taste and add a citrusy note. Lemon zest pairs especially well with buttery flavors.
5. Sprinkle grated or shredded Parmesan cheese over the hot peas and carrots to add a savory and cheesy element. The cheese will melt slightly and coat the vegetables with a delightful richness.
6. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or reduction can add a touch of sweetness and tanginess to the peas and carrots, creating a unique and sophisticated flavor profile.
7. For a touch of sweetness, drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over the vegetables. The sweetness will balance out the natural earthiness of the peas and carrots.
8. If you enjoy some heat, add a pinch of chili flakes to the peas and carrots for a spicy kick. Adjust the amount according to your spice tolerance.

Remember to taste the peas and carrots as you season them, so you can adjust the flavors to your liking. The beauty of seasoning lies in personal preference, so feel free to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste buds best. Seasoning can turn a simple side dish of peas and carrots into a flavorful and satisfying accompaniment to any meal.