Quick Sauteed Snow Peas Recipe Made Spicy
Snow peas are a delightful addition to any meal, and with a touch of spiciness, they become even more irresistible. This easy and quick sauteed snow peas recipe is packed with flavor, great texture and a touch of heat.
Amigos, this isn’t a Mexican recipe but it is one of my most favorite non-Mexican vegetable. This is how I love to cook snow peas and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
What Are Snow Peas?
Snow peas, also known as Chinese pea pods, are members of the legume family and are widely used in Asian dishes. They are also hugely popular in Western fusion recipes.
This vibrant green vegetable is a flat pod with tiny peas inside. They are crisp, their texture has a little crunch to them, and they make a perfect addition to stir-fries.
Snow peas can not only be stir-fried, but also steamed or roasted. They can also be added to salads, and even soups.
These peas are prized for their natural sweetness and because they add nice textures to dishes.
In Mexican cuisine snow peas are called chicharos chinos.
Health Benefits of Snow Peas
Snow peas are a delicious and versatile vegetable and are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.
Snow peas are not only delicious, but they also pack a punch when it comes to nutrition.
They are low in calories and low carb, making them a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.
They are an excellent source of vitamins C and A, iron and potassium, as well as fiber, which supports digestive health. Additionally, snow peas are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that promote overall well-being, they help stabilize blood sugars, and help keep the heart healthy.
How to Choose The Best Snow Peas
Look for snow peas with a vibrant green color, a smooth texture without any irregular spotting. Avoid snow peas with white spots or a slimy texture to them – that can indicate mold.
Fresh snow peas (just like green beans) have a crisp texture and will snap when broken in half. This is exactly what you want.
Avoid any snow peas that have a sour smell to them.
Ingredients for Sauteed Snow Peas Recipe Made Spicy
The ingredients needed for this easy recipe can be found in just about any grocery store. But I’ve also linked to them to Amazon – as a disclosure they are affiliate links that help generate income for me, thanks!
- fresh snow peas
- shallot
- garlic cloves
- ginger
- sesame oil
- soy sauce
- sriracha
- sesame seeds
Ingredient Substitutions
If you don’t have shallots you can use green onions instead. Use the green and white parts.
Instead of the sesame oil you could use olive oil, not extra virgin because the flavor it more intense. If you don’t have olive oil either then your favorite vegetable oil will do.
My favorite way to add a spicy touch to this simple recipe is by using sriracha, but if you don’t have any then red pepper flakes will work fine. If you can’t handle the spiciness some simple black pepper will do.
I have personally never swapped the snow peas for sugar peas (those have a little pea inside of the pod), but I don’t see why you couldn’t use them and make sautéed sugar snap peas using this same recipe. Just remember that the sugar snap have small peas inside their edible pod.
How to Make Sautéed Snow Peas with Sriracha
This easy side dish recipe comes together very quickly so make sure you have all of your ingredients measured out and ready to use. These are quick and basic steps that will have this delicious side dish on the table in no time!
Make sure to check out the recipe card below for more info on this nutritious recipe.
Step 1: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot add the shallots and cook until soft and translucent.
Step 2: Next add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for another 3 minutes.
Step 3: Mix in the snow peas into the other ingredients, making sure they are well coated with the oil. Stir often if you have a smaller skillet so that the snow peas cook evenly.
Step 4: Drizzle the soy sauce and the sriracha over the snow peas and stir until well combined.
Step 5: Sauté until they reach your desired texture and tenderness. Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Notes
Make sure you are using a good non-stick pan, or instead of sautéing these snow pea pods you could cook them in a wok and stir fry.
Some people like to use a sharp knife to cut and pull away the slightly tough string that snow peas have around their pod. Feel free to do so.
How to Serve Snow Peas
The most popular way to serve this easy snow peas recipe is as a side dish, but you could also serve as part of a main course.
These crunchy vegetables make a great side dish to mid-week meals. In fact you can prepare them and store in the fridge and just add to your meals during the week.
They pair well with tofu, tempeh, mushrooms and healthy grains.
My favorite way to eat this flavorful vegetable is by taking a small bowl and filling it with brown rice, the sautéed snow peas, and a plant-based protein like some crispy tofu. I’ll drizzle with more siracha and devour the entire bowl.
Sometimes to brighten their flavor even more, and because spicy combines so well, I’ll drizzle with a little bit of lemon juice. The combination of spicy, savory, and tangy is a winning one and no stranger to this Mexican girl.
This is one of my favorite Asian inspired meals because it’s such a simple recipe that I can make whenever I’m busy but want something light that’s quick and easy to cook. Then I’ll I have to do is combine with a vegan protein, and a healthy starch for a balanced meal.
More International Meatless Dishes From Me
Amigos, below are some of my favorite non-Mexican recipes that I think you’ll really enjoy. As always they are nutritious recipes packed with lots of flavor.
- Veggie Loaded Miso and Sriracha Noodle Soup
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Mexican Salsa
- Peppered Cauliflower Rice Topped With A Vegetable Stir
- How To Make French Crepes
- Vegan Ecuadorian-Style Ceviche
- Easy Mexican Vegan Turkey Roast
Quick & Easy Sauteed Snow Peas Recipe Made Spicy
Video
Ingredients
- 3/4 lbs snow peas
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 3 whole garlic cloves finely minced
- 2 Tablespoons ginger peeled and finely minced
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce adjust to taste
- 1.5 Tablespoons sriracha adjust to taste
- 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet, once hot add the shallots and saute until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and ginger and saute for 3 minutes.
- Mix in the snow peas and stir until well combined. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce and sriracha and mix until well combined.
- Cook until the snow peas are to your desired texture. Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
