Sautéed Sweet Peas with Bacon and Onion Recipe

Sautéed Sweet Peas with Bacon and Onion are a fresh combination of ingredients that make a perfect springtime side dish.

Do Not Fear the Pea!

Over the years, green peas rarely have been on people’s lists of favorite vegetables. Often you could only find them canned and when they came out of the can – not so good. 

My experience growing up was any time we had peas they were mushy, tasteless, and just not a good eating experience. Therefore, I grew up distancing myself from that vegetable. That’s also true for my husband and family – no one was a big fan.

Fast forward to today and fresh produce is so much more available and affordable. There are so many more options than canned peas:

• Fresh peas
• Frozen peas
• Baby peas
• Snow peas
• Sugar snap peas

The list goes on and on. You can easily find these in your local grocery store and you don’t have to break the bank to buy them.

So, in today’s world, I think peas are a great vegetable. They give great color, texture and sweet flavor to all sorts of soups and stews.

How to Make a Delicious Side Dish with Peas

Peas are also fantastic as the star of a quick side dish, which is exactly what I bring to you today. When you combine sweet, delicious peas with salty bacon, subtly sweet onions and then finish it off with a little fresh basil, you have an absolutely amazing side dish with a ton of flavor.

Use Simple Ingredients

One of the things I think makes for an easy side dish recipe is the use of simple ingredients that are in your pantry, freezer or easily found at your local grocery store. There really are only four ingredients which then are seasoned with salt and pepper. 

1. First, the peas. I use frozen tender sweet peas. I think they are the best option (especially over canned peas), as they hold up well as you sauté them with the other ingredients.
2. Second, the bacon. I like to use a nice smoky bacon to enhance the flavor of the peas. The other great thing about the bacon is that you use the grease from the cooked, crispy bacon in place of olive oil to sauté the onions and peas. So good!
3. Third, the onions. I prefer red onions for the color and more subtle flavor. If you want a stronger onion flavor, a great option is a white or yellow onion.
4. Lastly, the fresh basil. I love the little pop of color that fresh basil provides as well as the fresh flavor.

Use Simple Cooking Methods

All you need to make this recipe is a microwave, a stove and a medium to large skillet.

• Microwave the peas, giving them a good stir halfway through the cooking process. Drain any excess water.
• Cut the bacon into small strips (not too small as you don’t want to end up with bacon bits!) and cook in the skillet until crispy. Set aside on a plate with paper towels.
• Sauté the onions in the bacon grease.
• Add the peas and coat with onions and bacon grease.
• Add the cooked bacon and season with the salt and pepper.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle shopped fresh basil on top.

And there you go. In less time than you think (20 minutes tops), you have a great side dish ready for you, your family, and friends!

How to Make Ahead

Since this sweet peas recipe is such a simple side dish, it’s perfect for the dinner table any night of the week. But, it’s also special enough that it makes the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, the Easter ham or any other holiday occasion.

If you want do some of the work ahead of time, you can chop both the bacon and the onion and sauté both as instructed below in the recipe card. After sautéing, let the bacon and onion cool to room temperature. Once cooled, put into an airtight container and put it in the fridge.

You can do this 1-3 days ahead of when you are going to serve.

Then, right before you’re ready to serve dinner, reheat the bacon/onion mixture in the skillet while heating the peas in the microwave. Once the peas are heated through, add them and the basil to the bacon/onion mixture. Super easy and super delicious!!

Tips and Tricks

• Frozen peas work best with this recipe. The texture of canned peas is too soft and they don’t stand up to sautéing.
• The bacon can be cooked ahead of time, just make sure to save the bacon grease for sautéing the onions and the peas.
• Any leftover peas can be easily reheated in the microwave.

Ingredients Needed to Make Sweet Peas with Bacon and Onion

Full instructions can be found below in the recipe card

• Frozen peas – Frozen is highly recommended over canned.
• Bacon – Adds a wonderful smoky, salty flavor.
• Onion – I prefer using red onion, but yellow or white onion also work.
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh basil – Adds brightness and fresh flavor.

How to Make Sweet Peas with Bacon and Onion

• Place peas in a microwave safe dish, add a splash of water and cover with plastic wrap.
• Microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through. Drain liquid from the peas.
• While peas are cooking, cut bacon cross-wise into 1 inch strips and cook in a medium sized skillet until crispy, over medium heat.
• Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
• Discard all but 2 tbsp of the bacon grease. Add onion to pan and cook for about 5 minutes, until onion is tender.
• Add peas to skillet, stirring to mix with the onion and coat with the bacon grease.
• Stir in salt, pepper and the cooked bacon.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle the chopped basil over the top.

What to Serve with Sweet Peas with Bacon and Onion

• Baked Spiral Ham with Apricot Mustard Glaze
• Grilled Lamb Loin Chops
• Skillet Beef Stroganoff
• Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
• Buttermilk Biscuits

ENJOY!

Shared at these great blogs:

The Country Cook

Gooseberry Patch