Redditors Stand by This One Brand of Frozen Peas—and Gave Us the Best Tips for Using Them
Who knew something so simple could be so popular?
Trader Joe’s is known for its wide selection of freezer finds, with several food options including frozen meals, bagged fruits and vegetables, quick and easy sides, and even desserts. There are several reasons to buy frozen fruits and veggies instead of fresh, based on seasonality, extended shelf-life, higher concentration and retention of nutrients, versatility and convenience, affordability, and more.
However, it’s fair to say that frozen peas don’t often get much love, especially when compared to more popular vegetable staples, such as cauliflower, broccoli, or sweet potato, which may be used for riced sides and bases, stir-fries or pizza crust, for example. Yet, the frozen peas from Trader Joe’s unexpectedly stole the spotlight on a recent Reddit thread and had that shining moment of recognition and praise (at last!) among many devoted, frozen pea fans. The thread kicks off with a bold statement: "As a frozen pea connoisseur, TJs [has] the best frozen peas ever." Okay, we're listening!
In fact, Reddit users had a lot to say about Trader Joe’s peas, and they were quite passionate about the subject, eagerly offering their favorite cooking tips and recipe suggestions for how to use the bag. From meal-prepping and recipe ideas to practical cooking and storage tips, Redditors surely didn’t hold back from expressing their love of TJ’s frozen peas and sharing “go-to” dishes.
And surprisingly, our Allrecipes editors agreed when the topic was raised, noting the big difference in quality some have noticed when talking about the freezer staple. Andrea Lobas said, "I actually have to agree that the brand of frozen peas makes a big difference. We love the Trader Joe's peas in our house (along with the Organic Petite Green Peas from Whole Foods). They both heat up perfectly and retain their fresh taste and signature 'snap' when we bite into them. No mushy peas in those bags!"
So now that we know the brand changes things, here are some delicious and simple ways to cook with Trader Joe’s Frozen Peas in your own kitchen.
The Best Ways to Use Frozen Peas
Cook With Olive Oil and Almonds
Cooking green peas with olive oil is clean and simple, and always deliciously satisfying. One Reddit user, who goes by the name plainlyput, suggested sautéing the peas with olive oil and tossing in slivered almonds. This makes an easy side, baked potato filling, or stir-fry add-in. Or, you can use them in a salad, tossed with slivered almonds and drizzled olive oil, or a light dressing as well.
Throw in Grain Bowls, Pastas, and Risottos
Frozen peas are quick and convenient as an addition to pastas, grain bowls, and risottos for an instant dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals—and even a bit of protein, too. A Redditor named CopperPotts_, suggested tossing them in pasta and said, “I like using these in pasta, toss them in the pasta water just before you drain, then add a splash of cream, cheese, and some lemon zest+juice. delicious!” Another Reddit user, who goes by the name shoddycursive, replied and added, “I love a simple pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, butter, lemon zest, peas, red pepper flakes, and a bit of Parmesan cheese.”
A few other creative and tasty suggestions were mentioned about using frozen peas with rice, pasta, and risotto. One tip that stood out? If you’re making risotto, it’s a good idea to toss the peas in right at the end, when the dish is about to be done.
Toss With Pesto
"I literally always have a bag or two of these in my freezer so that I can throw together one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners: Pea Pesto Pasta,” says Allrecipes editor Courtney Kassel. The recipe is minimal in ingredients (just five) and quick to prepare and cook, where the entire dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes, making it an excellent weeknight staple. Pesto is delicious, so anything with pesto will taste amazing, but Kassel considers TJ's peas to be her “secret weapon.” “They're extra sweet and tender, and make this pesto particularly delicious," Kassel says.
Mix Into Mac and Cheese
A couple of Redditors agreed and said they enjoy adding Trader Joe’s frozen peas to mac and cheese. One Redditor named okaycomputes joked and dubbed this, “Mac n peas.” For even more flavor, heartiness, and protein, add some meat and make a big batch of macaroni and cheese with ham, peas, and shallots, which the whole family will love.
You can also enjoy a twist with this cold pasta salad with peas—a popular summer picnic side and staple, a simple macaroni salad, or even a (pasta-free) bacon ranch pea salad.
Add to Stir-fries or Noodles
Fried rice isn’t complete without green peas, and if you’re cooking a stir-fry or fried noodles, green peas are the perfect add-in for a veggie that’ll taste great and work nicely with the flavors and textures of the dish. One Reddit user, who goes by the name m_i_c_r_o_b_i_a_l, shared a tip, “I add to stir-fried teriyaki noodles with some julienne carrots.”
Use in Curries
Whether warm or chilled, green peas taste great with a bold, curry flavor, and many users suggested adding TJ’s frozen peas to curries, such as a chicken curry, potato curry, or stew. You can also make a deli-style, cold curry salad recipe (a great suggestion for meal-prepping in the week, too) to enjoy over fresh greens or as a sandwich for lunch. Redditor CopperPotts_ had another tip, “if you like the TJ's Indian pouches they're also yummy added to those with a frozen rice packet or some naan!”
Enhance Vegetable Soups
Of course, peas are always welcome in soup, since they are a delicious and healthy veg that is both affordable and convenient. Reddit users discussed how they liked to add green peas to both warm and chilled soups—and you can’t go wrong with either. For a filling meal, include a rich source of protein, like meat, in the soup as well. For instance, a hearty ground beef and vegetable soup will fill you up fast and keep you satiated.
