This easy creamed peas recipe is a quick 15-minute side dish made with a simple creamy sauce. Whether you’re using canned, fresh, or frozen peas, this method gives you smooth, flavorful peas every time.
How to Make Creamed Peas
Creamed peas are made by cooking peas and combining them with a simple white sauce made from butter, flour, and milk until thick and creamy. This method works with canned, fresh, or frozen peas.
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
- Method: This is an easy stove-top recipe.
- Key Ingredients: Canned peas (you can use fresh or frozen), butter, milk and sugar.
- Ease: One of the easiest ways to turn canned, fresh, or frozen peas into a creamy, flavorful side dish.
- Top Tip: Make extra because your whole family will probably want more than one serving!
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This post was originally published in August 2016 and updated in May 2026 to improve the recipe, instructions, and photos.
Getting my kids to eat peas was easy once I started making them this way—no more “I don’t like peas.” They quickly became a favorite side dish and even ask for them now. It’s my favorite way to eat peas too, and even picky eaters go back for seconds.
When I make these peas I almost always make pork chops, and either fried potatoes or my Herb Roasted Red Potatoes. They go really well together and are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Ingredient Notes
This recipe uses simple ingredients you most likely have on-hand.
- Peas: I use canned petite peas or young peas. Both of these varieties are harvested while they are small. You can make this recipe with any sweet peas. Fresh or frozen peas will also work.
- Milk: We typically use whole milk but I’ve made them with 2% and they come out great.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter. If using salted butter you may want to reduce the amount of additional salt you add.
- Flour: All purpose flour is great!
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper and sugar give our peas great flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a medium saucepan warm the peas in juice until hot. See the section below for using fresh or frozen peas.
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Whisk in the flour, salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, making sure to get all of the lumps out. Cook until bubbly and thick, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes total. Remove from heat.
- Drain the peas and return them to the pan, pour in the cream mixture and stir in the sugar.
- Serve immediately (see tips below for how to keep them warm if they get done before the rest of the meal).
Can you use fresh or frozen peas instead of canned?
Yes. You can use fresh or frozen peas instead of canned—just cook or heat them first. You’ll need about 3 cups before adding the creamy sauce.
Tips
- This is such a delicious side dish that you’re going to want to make plenty. I make this recipe using about 3 cups of peas for 2-4 people and we never have leftovers.
- Stir the sauce constantly while it cooks.
- The sauce should come to a boil in a couple of minutes. Then cook it a couple of minutes. The total process should take about 5 minutes.
- If your peas are ready before the rest of the meal you can keep them warm over low heat for a few minutes. You’ll want to stir them often. If they get too stiff add a splash of milk to thin them down a bit.
Storage and Reheating
These are better fresh but can be stored and reheated if you have leftovers. Store leftover creamed peas in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top. Stir in a bit more milk if the sauce is too thick.
FAQ
Definitely! We like them pretty sweet. You can cut the sugar in half (or more) if you want.
We love these peas so much I’ve included them in my What to Serve with Mac and Cheese meal guide.
Featured Comment
From Jeanne: “My mother always served creamed peas with salmon cakes, but I never made them until today. Your recipe, so good and easy.”
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This recipe has been a hit on TikTok, with about 70,000 views and lots of positive feedback.
Easy Creamed Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cans sweet peas about 3 cups
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan warm peas in juice until hot.2 cans sweet peas
- Melt butter over medium-heat in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper, cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk, making sure to get all of the lumps out, and cook until bubbly and thick, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, ⅛ teaspoon salt , ⅛ teaspoon pepper , 1 cup milk
- Drain peas and return them to the pan, pour in milk mixture and stir in sugar.2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
Great recipe. Brought me back to my childhood. Instead of milk, I used heavy whipping cream. Absolutely delicious!
I’m so glad you like them, I’ve never used cream, might have to try it next time I have some. Thank you for commenting and reviewing!
I made this tonight for the first time. I followed the recipe exactly and it is delicious.
I’m so glad you like it! Thank you for commenting and rating!
Very delicious and EASY! Thank you for sharing your recipe and story behind it. I served it with fried pork chops, homemade Mac n cheese and your peas…..no carbs here!
You’re welcome, sounds like a delicious dinner! Thank you for commenting and reviewing!
My mother always served creamed peas with salmon cakes, but I never made them until today. Your recipe, so good and easy
Old steak house classics! Nothing wrong with creamed veg.
Right?! Thanks
Yum! Creamed peas are as tasty as creamed spinach! What a great way to make canned peas palatable. Thanks!
Thank you!
I will definitely try this recipe soon! Thank you!
That is wonderful, my kids love them, and I do too!
This really looks tasty ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
This recipe is a family favorite, thanks!
Healthy snack.. should definitely try it..
That would be great, thanks!
Love the simplicity of this pea recipe…and since I am a fan of peas, this is definitely a must try for me. Thanks Mindy, for sharing!
They are very easy. Thanks for stopping by!
I love peas! Always loved them even as a child. Never tried them this way, but I like your recipe 🙂 . Liked your page, too! So glad to connect with people!
I love connecting too, glad you stopped by!