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Creamed Peas

December 4, 2025 by Tristin Leave a Comment

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Discover the secret to turning humble peas into a creamy, irresistible side dish that everyone will love. With just a handful of wholesome ingredients—milk, flour, butter, and a hint of sugar—these homemade creamed peas come together in minutes and brighten up any dinner plate.

I love making easy sides! If you’re looking for more recipes to make for dinner, try Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes – they’re irresistible! Or Candied Yams with Marshmallows, to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

An above view of a bowl of creamed peas with a melty pat of butter and a white and black striped towel.

Homemade Creamed Peas 

If you’ve only tasted creamed peas from a can, prepare to be amazed by this homemade version. Honestly, it’s leaps and bounds better – so good, in fact, that you might even want to eat your peas! 

How good is it? Well, first, you’ve got tender peas sitting in a rich, buttery sauce. Then, it’s all spiced to perfection, with a hint of onion and a gentle kick of pepper (and even a little sugar). 

This easy recipe makes every bite comforting and utterly satisfying. When these aromas fill your kitchen and the creamy sauce coats each pea, you’ll never settle for canned again.

Whether you’re planning a festive holiday feast or looking to wow your family on an ordinary night, this recipe is so delicious that even the pickiest eaters will be coming back for seconds.

Creamed Peas Ingredients

  • Peas: Use one 16-ounce bag of frozen peas.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness. 
  • Flour: It only takes a little bit of all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce. 
  • Cream: For the creamy base, use a combination of whole milk and half and half.
  • Salt and Pepper: It only takes a little bit to flavor the whole batch. 
  • Granulated Sugar: This adds a touch of sweetness to balance all the savory flavors. 
  • Onion Powder: Add a pinch of onion powder to give it a little kick.

How to Make Creamed Peas 

Here are the basic instructions to make creamed peas. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post with full ingredients and instructions to make it.

Step one is to boil the peas and then make a roux of flour and butter in a pan.
STEP 1: Bring salted water to a boil and add in peas. Drain well in a colander and set aside.
Dry out the saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly. Cook until a smooth paste forms, but it’s not browning. 
Step two is half and half being mixed into the roux with a whisk in a pan.
STEP 2: Slowly whisk in the half and half and milk, whisking constantly. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, until thickened.
Step three is the seasonings being added to the roux in a pan.
STEP 3: Stir in salt, pepper, sugar, and onion powder.
Step four is adding the peas to the sauce in a pan.
STEP 4: Add the cooked peas and cook until heated through. Then add the tablespoon of butter.

Cooking Tips and Tricks 

  • Don’t overcook the peas. Let them boil for just a few minutes so they’re no longer frozen. 
  • After you cook the peas, dry the saucepan completely. If you leave too much water or moisture in it, the sauce won’t be nearly as thick. 
  • As you add the milk and half-and-half, whisk constantly. Don’t stop whisking until it thickens. 

Recipe Variations 

  • Make it gluten-free. 
  • Replace onion powder with some fresh scallions. You could even saute some chopped shallots.
  • Make it dairy-free. Replace the milk and half-and-half with the same amount of Crisco. 
Very up close of an above view of a bowl of creamed peas with a melty pat of butter.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I use canned peas? Yes, you can use canned peas. If you do, don’t boil them. Drain and rinse them off, and then add the canned peas to the skillet with the sauce. 

How do I make my sauce less thick? If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk. And if it’s too thin, cook a little longer, and it will thicken as it reduces. 

How to Store & Reheat 

How to store it? Store creamed peas in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

How to reheat it? Reheat creamed peas in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. 

How to freeze it? Place creamed peas in a freezer-safe bag or container and keep them frozen for up to six months. 

An above view of a bowl of creamed peas with a melty pat of butter and a white and black striped towel.

Try these other recipes!

  • Air Fryer Acorn Squash 
  • Potatoes Au Gratin 
  • Air Fryer Rosemary Butter Carrots
  • Air Fryer Corn on the Cob 
  • Green Bean Casserole with Cream of Chicken 

If you’ve tried this easy cream peas recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes.

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An above view of a bowl of creamed peas with a melty pat of butter and a white and black striped towel.
Print Recipe

Creamed Peas

Discover the secret to turning humble peas into a creamy, irresistible side dish that everyone will love. With just a handful of wholesome ingredients—milk, flour, butter, and a hint of sugar—these homemade creamed peas come together in minutes and brighten up any dinner plate.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 143kcal
Author: Tristin – Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

  • 3 cups frozen peas 16-ounce bag
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup half and half
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon butter butter for finishing

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add in the 3 cups of peas and cook for 2-3 minutes. Drain well in a colander and set aside.
  • Dry out the saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Cook until a smooth paste forms, but it’s not browning.
  • Slowly whisk in the half and half and milk, whisking constantly. Continue cooking for 5-10 minutes, until thickened.
  • Stir in salt, pepper, sugar, and onion powder.
  • Add the cooked peas and cook until heated through. Then add the tablespoon of butter.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the peas. Let them boil for just a few minutes so they’re no longer frozen. 
  • After you cook the peas, dry the saucepan completely. If you leave too much water or moisture in it, the sauce won’t be nearly as thick. 
  • As you add the milk and half-and-half, whisk constantly. Don’t stop whisking until it thickens.
  • Will last 3 days in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator. 
 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 759IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

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Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features easy recipes made with tasty ingredients. Read More…

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