We all know frozen peas can be boiled in a pot, but can you steam frozen peas in a steamer?
If you’re wondering about this question, the answer is yes, you can! Steaming frozen peas is a quick and simple way to get delicious veggies on the table.
From defrosting to serving, steamed frozen peas are ready in minutes and packed with flavor.
Plus, adding extra nutrients to your meal is easy without spending hours cooking from scratch.
This article will explain the benefits of steaming peas, the differences between boiling and steaming, and more.
Let’s get into it!
The Benefits Of Steaming Frozen Peas
The best answer to this query is that steaming frozen peas offers a quick and nutritious way to prepare a meal or side dish.
Steaming frozen peas helps maintain their flavor, texture, and nutritional value, as the steam does not cause them to lose essential vitamins or minerals.
Additionally, steaming requires no added oil or fat. So it is healthier than other cooking methods, such as frying. Read more about food steamers vs. air fryers.
When steamed properly, frozen peas are cooked quickly with little effort from the cook.
Steaming frozen peas keeps most of their vitamin and mineral content intact because it cooks at low temperatures compared to other methods like boiling.
Boring can leach out these beneficial nutrients due to prolonged exposure to heat and water.
This method also preserves flavor since less liquid is used during the process.
As a result, the vegetables become tastier when served freshly cooked right away after draining off excess liquid from the cooking pan before consuming them on your plate.
See also: Can You Steam Eggplant In A Steamer?
What’s The Difference Between Boiling And Steaming Frozen Peas?
The main difference between boiling and steaming frozen peas is that boiling involves submerging the peas in hot water. In contrast, steaming requires putting the peas in a basket over a simmering liquid.
Boiling will cook the peas faster than steaming, but it can also produce a softer texture which some may not prefer.
Steaming takes longer to cook but results in a firmer pea with better color and flavor retention due to less contact with moisture.
Boiling is when you put food into already-boiling water and let it cook until done. Billing frozen vegetables such as carrots or green beans is cooked evenly throughout since they’re completely submerged in hot water.
This cooking method tends to bring out more flavors from the ingredients since they’re fully exposed to heat during this process.
It typically takes about 5 minutes for frozen veggies to be cooked after being placed in boiling water.
On the other hand, steaming uses steam instead of hot water to cook food items like fruits and veggies (especially delicate ones).
The food item is placed inside a special container called “steamer,” which has holes at its bottom so that steam can pass through easily without having direct contact with the ingredient itself.
Thus retaining all its original flavors without becoming soggy or mushy, like what usually happens when boiled for too long.
Compared to boiling, vegetables take longer (at least 10 minutes) when steamed because their fibers need more heat penetration before softening up properly.
These times vary depending upon the type and thickness of veggie used.
Since there’s no direct contact between liquid and vegetable, nutrient loss due to leaching doesn’t occur either, making it an excellent choice.
See also: Can You Steam Garlic In A Steamer?
Type Of Steamers For Steaming Frozen Vegetables
The best type of steamer to use for steaming frozen vegetables is an electric steamer.
Electric steamers are designed specifically for this purpose and are more efficient than other methods, such as stovetop or microwave varieties.
They also offer a variety of features that make it easier to prepare meals quickly and efficiently.
Electric steamers come in all shapes and sizes, from small countertop models to large ones for commercial use.
The advantage of using an electric steamer is that it can be set up easily with minimal effort required on the user’s part.
Many models feature digital displays that allow you to precisely control the temperature settings and automatic shut-off after a certain period has elapsed.
This helps ensure your food stays cooked and becomes soggy or rubbery when done cooking.
Additionally, some models come with additional features like timers so you can have perfectly cooked meals ready at any given time without constantly monitoring them throughout their cooking process.
Using an electric steamer also eliminates the need for pans or pots used in stovetop or microwave varieties; you only need one machine to do everything.
With its versatility, convenience, and ease of use, many prefer electric steamers over other methods when preparing frozen vegetables.
See also: Can You Steam Green Beans In A Steamer?
How To Clean Frozen Peas Before Steaming?
The best way to clean frozen peas before steaming is to rinse them in a colander with cold running water. This helps remove any dirt or debris from the frozen peas and ensures they are safe to eat.
Rinsing also removes some of the starch coatings that usually come on frozen vegetables, which can help reduce their cooking time.
To further improve taste, it’s recommended that you soak the rinsed peas in cool water for 10-15 minutes before steaming them. This will soften them slightly and help improve their flavor when cooked.
See also: Can You Steam Kale In A Steamer?
How To Steam Frozen Peas In An Electric Steamer?
Here is the general guide on how to steam your frozen peas in a steamer.
Place the electric steamer on a flat, dry surface and plug it into an electrical outlet.
Open the lid of the electric steamer and fill the bottom with water until it reaches just below the maximum line indicated on the inside of your appliance.
Close and lock the lid to prevent steam from escaping while cooking your food.
Put frozen peas into one or more of your steamer’s removable baskets by carefully filling each one up to its capacity without overcrowding them.
This will help ensure they cook evenly at once since overcrowded baskets may cause some parts of your peas to be overcooked while others remain undercooked.
Ensure you do not mix other vegetables or foods with frozen peas, which can affect their texture during cooking.
Select a timer setting according to how long you want your frozen peas cooked. About 8 minutes should do but check instructions for exact recommendations based on what type/brand of pea is used.
Press the “start” button on the electric steamer and wait for it to finish cooking before removing cooked peas from a basket using tongs or kitchen utensils appropriate for hot surfaces.
Serve immediately if desired!
FAQs
How Long Do Frozen Peas Take In A Steamer?
Frozen peas take about 3-5 minutes to cook in a steamer.
Is It Better To Steam Or Boil Frozen Peas?
It is generally better to steam frozen peas, as this will help preserve their flavor and texture. Boiling can cause them to become mushy and lose some of their nutrients.
How Much Water Do You Need To Steam Peas?
You will need about 1/2 cup of water to steam a single serving of peas.
Is It OK To Use Tap Water In Steamer?
Yes, it is generally safe to use tap water in a steamer. However, if you are concerned about tap water quality, you can always opt for distilled or filtered water instead.
Why Are My Frozen Peas Hard After Cooking?
Frozen peas are usually blanched before freezing, which means they have already been partially cooked. When you cook them again, the residual heat from the cooking process can cause them to become hard and overcooked.
To avoid this, try using fresh or thawed frozen peas instead of directly cooking from frozen.
Conclusion: Can You Steam Frozen Peas In A Steamer?
The answer is yes! Steaming frozen peas in a steamer can be an easy and convenient way to add nutritious veggies without worrying about defrosting them.
You’ll have perfectly cooked peas every time – no more worrying about overcooking or undercooking them.
So next time you’re in a pinch for dinner, look no further than your kitchen cupboards for the perfect side dish.
Happy cooking!