How to Microwave Sugar Snap Peas

//cookanyday.com/cdn/shop/files/Anyday_Photos_Basics_SugarSnapPeas_Hero_97f3a344-4fdf-4dcc-bfd7-219ee2e0d207_360x.webp?v=1722360459 Perfectly cooked sugar snap peas made and served in the glass Anyday dish, providing tender and crisp peas. This method ensures evenly cooked sugar snap peas, ideal for a nutritious and tasty side dish or snack.
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Prep Time

1 mins

Cook Time

3 mins

Free Time

to enjoy the April showers

This is our favorite way of making sugar snap peas! Steaming them in the microwave is quick, and easy, and preserves their vibrant green hue and crisp-tender crunch. Perfect for a healthy side dish or a light snack, microwaved sugar snap peas are simple to prep and even easier to cook.

Using the microwave to steam sugar snap peas retains their natural flavor and nutrients better than boiling or sautéing. In just a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked tender peas yet still have that satisfying crunch.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Strainer

Introducing: The Strainer! Flexible-yet-sturdy clips attach this clever ‘colander’ onto your Anyday dish, making it a master multitasker. Use this strainer on any size or shape Anyday dish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1 cup sugar snap peas

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (50g) sugar snap peas, trimmed

Preparation

  1. Place the snap peas in an Anyday dish and rinse thoroughly under cold tap water. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain the excess water.
  2. After straining, cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, or until snap peas are crisp-tender.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Garlic and Parmesan: Season with garlic powder, grated parmesan, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
  • Radishes and Dill: Season with salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and zest. Toss with thinly sliced radishes and chopped fresh dill.
  • Pecans and Cranberries: Serve with dried cranberries, chopped toasted pecans, brown butter, and crumbled feta cheese.
  • Bacon and scallions: Toss with crumbled crispy bacon and sliced scallions.

Recipe notes

  • Need smaller bites? Cut snap peas into bite sizes and cook for the same amount of time.
  • Sprinkle a small amount of salt and sugar when cooking to enhance the natural flavors.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Snap Peas

See for yourself— microwaving broccoli is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 2-3 mins
Grill* 20 mins
Stovetop* 13 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 20 mins
*Includes preheat time

Step-by-Step: Microwaving Snap Peas

Trim and clean sugar snap peas

Transfer to an Anyday dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted).

Cook in the microwave.

Sugar snap peas are done when bright green and tender.

All you need to know about microwaving snap peas

How long does take to cook sugar snap peas in the microwave?

Ingredient Cook Time
1 cup (50g) sugar snap peas, trimmed 2-3 mins
2 cups (100g) sugar snap peas, trimmed 5-6 mins
3 cups (150g) sugar snap peas, trimmed 6-7 mins
4 cups (200g) sugar snap peas, trimmed 7-8 mins
5 cups (250g) sugar snap peas, trimmed 9 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

It takes about 2-3 minutes to cook a serving of sugar snap peas in the microwave. Sugar snap peas have a tough, more fibrous pod, making them hard to overcook. Flash cook them for less time for more crunch factor, or microwave them a little longer for a softer pod.

Do sugar snap peas need to be cooked?

At the peak of freshness, sugar snap peas are bright green, crisp, and sweet. They can be eaten raw as a crunchy snack or added to salads. To cook them, sugar snap peas are often steamed or sautéed for a few minutes until they are crisp-tender. To enhance their natural sweetness, they can be seasoned with salt or sugar.

How to clean and prepare sugar snap peas?

Snap peas are usually ready to eat as-is, but removing their tough filaments (”strings”) and stems will help with their texture. To clean snap peas, choose fresh, unblemished pods and give them a rinse. To trim the stems, use a sharp paring knife to cut off the stem end. To remove the pod string, use your fingers to snap off the stem end and pull the string down the length of the pod.