# Peas cooking times

How long to cook peas: **2–3 min boiled, 3–4 min steamed, 3–4 min in the microwave and 3–4 min pan-fried**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/peas-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook peas

Times are for 300 g frozen or fresh podded peas, for 4.

Peas: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) | 2–3 min | in boiling salted water | Frozen peas; petits pois take 2 minutes. Fresh peas take 3–5 minutes. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) | 3–4 min | over simmering water | – |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Frozen, with 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 3–4 min | over a medium heat | Warm frozen peas in butter with a splash of water and some mint or lettuce. |

## Before you start

Frozen peas go straight from the freezer. Fresh peas need podding: 1 kg in the pod gives about 400 g peas.

## How to tell it’s done

Bright green, plump and sweet.

## Questions

### How long to boil peas?

2–3 min in boiling salted water. Frozen peas; petits pois take 2 minutes. Fresh peas take 3–5 minutes.

### How long to steam peas?

3–4 min over simmering water.

### How long to microwave peas?

3–4 min on full power, covered. Frozen, with 2 tablespoons of water; stir halfway.

### How long to pan-fry peas?

3–4 min over a medium heat. Warm frozen peas in butter with a splash of water and some mint or lettuce.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/