How to Cook Frozen Crowder Peas? [Recipe Included]
Crowder peas are one of the most flavorful bean varieties and an excellent ingredient in many dishes. I have a friend who is a bean fanatic, so we’ve often discussed their relation to black-eyed peas. Since I have just released an article on black-eyed peas, I think it’s also the perfect time to find out more about crowder peas. So, how to cook frozen crowder peas?
You need to cook frozen crowder peas for about 40 minutes to cook them thoroughly. You can add your favorite ingredients to the pot and cook them with the peas.
Frozen crowder peas are a delight to work with. They are blanched, which reduces the cooking time, and they make delicious meals. In this article, I will tell you all about the best method for cooking them, and I will also include a recipe that is a definite must-try!
Cooking Instructions for Frozen Crowder Peas
Although frozen crowder peas are blanched before freezing, they are far from fully cooked, and you absolutely need to cook them. I wish I had known what I know now when I first cooked them. Even though cooking peas isn’t rocket science, and you can easily do it, you can definitely use some general pointers.
The first thing to do is thaw the frozen crowder peas. Cooking them frozen is a huge mistake, as they harden and dry out from the sudden temperature change. I like to thaw them overnight in the fridge, but if you are in a hurry, rinse them under cold water to thaw them quickly.
The second thing to keep in mind is to always cook them in boiling water.
Unless you want your peas to become soggy, don’t place your defrosted crowder peas in cold water. What you want is a creamy and not tasteless result.
Furthermore, to make them extra flavorful, you can cook them in broth instead of water, but this is a personal preference. Depending on what I have at hand, I use both water and broth, and the peas are delicious either way. Whatever you use, pour it into a big pot and bring it to a boil before you add the peas.
The general rule is 3 cups of liquid per pound of crowder peas.
Once the water/broth has boiled, add the thawed peas to the pot and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot, and let the peas simmer for 25-30 minutes. The peas are cooked after about 25 minutes, so how long you cook them past this point is up to you. I like leaving them for about 40 minutes, but that’s just me.
Still, if you go over 45 minutes, you’ll probably go too far.
While the peas cook, check them occasionally and add water if necessary. I usually add half a cup, if at all.
Once they are done, strain them to remove the excess liquid and season them with your favorite spices.
While the peas are cooking, you can also add other ingredients, such as onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, or bell peppers, to the pot to add more flavor and nutrition. I usually add dry peppers, garlic, and leek — they are delicious like this!
How to Make Frozen Crowder Peas Taste Better?
Frozen crowder peas are delicious as they are, but you can always improve their flavor. Below are a few simple tricks to make your dishes taste even better.
Seasoning
If your crowder pea dish tastes a little bland, the first thing to do is add seasoning. I usually add mint leaves to up the flavor. Still, you can also add basil, extra salt, paprika, turmeric, or chili flakes.
Veggies
Extra veggies are always welcome to your crowder pea dish. However, adding extra veggies means planning ahead because you can’t just throw them inside whenever you want. Decide which veggies you’ll use and add them to the pot according to their cooking time.
I like to play it safe and have the extra veggies partially cooked by the time I add my defrosted crowder peas to the water. I cook the extra veggies in a separate pot and have them ready when I need them.
A heartwarming veggie-crowder-pea stew is also a great option. Combine it with some toasted bread, and it becomes a true delicacy!
Broth
Instead of using water, you can go with broth for some extra flavor. I usually use chicken broth, which always turns out delicious. The cooking method is the same, so you don’t need to change or adjust anything.
Meat
Add some smoked meat or sausages to the pot if you like a bit of meatiness in your crowder pea dish. Don’t boil the meat, of course, but add it to the peas once you’ve strained the extra liquid.
Heavy or Sour Cream
Crowder peas are creamy as they are, but the extra creaminess is always a good idea. You can add heavy or sour cream to the peas after you’ve strained them and make them nice and silky. My preference, though, is sour cream because it also adds a refreshing flavor to the dish, but if you prefer heavy cream, feel free to use it.
Acidity
Some people find the flavor of these peas heavy. To make them lighter, some acidity can do the trick here. Add vinegar or lemon juice to the crowder peas once you’ve strained them to spike through the heaviness of the flavor and balance it better.
Cooking Frozen Crowder Peas the Best Method
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen crowder peas
- 3 cups chicken broth you can use water
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil you can also use butter
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
- Add the frozen crowder peas to the pot and the water or chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the peas are tender and cooked.
- Remove the bay leaf from the pot and discard.
- And that's it! The only thing left is to make a meal out of them!
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
