5 Minute Sugar Snap Peas - Cafe Delites

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Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas

By Karina Carrel

5 from 4 votes

on May 31, 2020, Updated Oct 09, 2025

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Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas are a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish ready in just 5 minutes. They pair perfectly with rich mains like Chicken Francese, Smothered Pork Chops, or a juicy steak, adding a fresh, crunchy contrast to your plate.

This simple sugar snap peas recipe keeps things light, just fresh peas sautéed in olive oil and butter with a touch of seasoning. Whether you’re new to cooking snap peas or need a fast go-to veggie, these sauteed snap peas deliver every time.

Top view of Sauteed Snap Peas in a black pan, sprinkled with coarse salt.

Why These Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas Work
What Goes Into This Recipe
How To Make Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas
Recipe FAQ’s
Buttery Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

Why These Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas Work

When you start with fresh, crisp sugar snap peas, less is more. That’s what makes this simple Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas so effective. A quick sauté in olive oil and butter brings out their natural sweetness, while a touch of salt and a pinch of cayenne add just enough savory depth and heat.

In just five minutes, you’ve got the perfect side. Whether you’re cooking snap peas for a weeknight dinner or a holiday spread, these sauteed snap peas stay vibrant, flavorful, and irresistibly crunchy: no fuss, just fresh and delicious.

What Goes Into This Recipe

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Labeled flatlay image of ingredients for sautéed sugar snap peas. A central bowl contains fresh sugar snap peas, surrounded by smaller bowls of olive oil (top left), butter (top right), salt (bottom left), black pepper (bottom center), and cayenne pepper (bottom right). Each ingredient is clearly labeled with red tags.

You only need a handful of ingredients to bring out the best in these Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas. With the right balance of fat, seasoning, and heat, each bite is full of flavor and crunch.

Sugar Snap Peas – Fresh and crisp, they’re the star of this dish. Be sure to trim the ends and remove the strings for the best texture.
Olive Oil and Butter – This combo adds richness and helps the peas blister slightly while staying tender inside.
Salt and Black Pepper – Basic seasonings that highlight the natural sweetness of the peas.
Cayenne Pepper (Optional) – Just a pinch adds a gentle warmth without overwhelming the flavor.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for full measurements.

How To Make Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas

Sauté the Snap Peas: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sugar snap peas and toss to coat. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne if using, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.

Season and Serve: Remove from heat and transfer the sauteed snap peas to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with extra coarse salt and black pepper to taste. These vibrant greens are best served immediately while still warm and crisp.

These Snap Peas make a versatile side for a wide range of main dishes. Their fresh crunch and light seasoning pair especially well with bold or creamy flavors.

Serve them alongside Kung Pao Chicken for a crisp contrast to the spicy, nutty stir fry. They’re also a great match for Easy Mozzarella Chicken, where the snap peas cut through the richness of the cheese and sauce. For something a little more indulgent, try them with Creamy Tomato Garlic Butter Shrimp, the perfect balance of buttery, tangy, and fresh.

Recipe FAQ’s

How Do I Know When The Snap Peas Are Done?

They should be bright green and just tender, with a slight blister on the outside. Avoid overcooking—they should still have a nice crunch.

What Can I Add For More Flavor?

Try minced garlic, a splash of soy sauce, lemon zest, or sesame seeds. These additions pair well with the natural sweetness of the peas.

Are Sugar Snap Peas The Same As Snow Peas?

Not quite. Sugar snap peas are rounder and sweeter, while snow peas are flatter with a slightly more delicate flavor and texture.

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Sauteed Snap Peas in a black pan, sprinkled with coarse salt.

SaveSaved Pin Print 5 from 4 votes

Buttery Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas

By Karina Carrel Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 serves as a side dish Buttery Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with coarse salt makes them a perfect side dish, ready in 5 minutes! Save this recipe!Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!Email *Save

Ingredients USMetric 1x2x3x

▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil
▢ 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
▢ 1 pound sugar snap peas stem ends and string removed from each pod
▢ 1 teaspoon coarse salt plus extra to serve
▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
▢ 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional for some heat

Instructions

Heat oil and butter together in a large pan over medium-high heat. When butter has melted, add the snap peas, tossing them around in the pan to coat in the oil/butter mixture. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne (if using) and sauté for until the snap peas are crisp-tender, about 4-5 minutes
Transfer to a serving bowl; season with extra coarse salt and pepper to serve.

Notes

Tip: Try to use high quality salt for better texture and flavour!

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!

4 Comments

Yum! and couldn’t be more easy.
Reply
Delicious and simple. I will definitely be cooking sugar snap peas like this again.
Reply
So simple and great!!!
Reply
Really enjoyed these! We used the cayenne and enjoyed the extra heat.
Reply

Karina sitting on island bench wearing a black dress

Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!