Minty Peas and Onions
Minty Peas and Onions is a fresh, vibrant side dish combining sweet peas, caramelized onions, and aromatic mint. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a light, flavorful addition to any meal in under 20 minutes, perfect for both casual weekday dinners and festive occasions.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or zest
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prep Your Ingredients: Peel and thinly slice the onions. Rinse peas if fresh. Finely chop fresh mint leaves to release their aroma.
- Sauté the Onions: Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until they soften and start caramelizing, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add the Peas: Toss in the peas once onions are golden and sweetened. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until peas are tender but still bright green.
- Stir in Mint and Season: Remove pan from heat. Stir in chopped mint leaves, lemon juice or zest, salt, and black pepper to taste. Add mint last to preserve freshness.
- Serve Warm or Room Temperature: Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately or let cool to room temperature for a refreshing salad-style side.
Notes
- Choose sweet onion varieties like Vidalia or Walla Walla for natural sweetness without overpowering flavor.
- Cook peas just until tender to keep their bright color and firm texture.
- Use fresh mint for the best aromatic and herbal freshness; avoid dried mint.
- Adjust lemon juice gradually to balance acidity without overwhelming the dish.
- Serve promptly to preserve the bright mint flavor and peas’ texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: minty peas, sautéed onions, fresh mint, quick side dish, healthy peas recipe, vegan side dish, gluten free side