These Sesame Garlic Snap Peas coat stir fried sugar snap peas in a super simple garlic, soy, and sesame sauce. The peas are crisp and crunchy, and the sauce is slightly sweet and packed with delicious umami flavors. Enjoy this easy recipe as a crunchy snack or serve it alongside your Chinese-American favorites.
If you’re looking for quick and easy side dishes, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve tested countless recipes that take almost no time to toss together but are still loaded with delicious flavors you and the family will love. One bite of my Coconut Rice or my Sautéed Green Beans Recipe, and you’ll never want to fuss with a complicated side dish again.
Snap Peas with Sesame Garlic Sauce
Sesame garlic snap peas is an Asian-inspired side dish that tosses stir fried sugar snap peas with a simple yet flavor-packed garlic and sesame sauce. The fresh peas stay crisp and vibrant even after cooking over high heat, while the sauce sticks to the outside and surprises your palate with layers of umami and sweetness.
Despite the exciting flavors in this snap pea recipe, the ingredients are quite simple and may already be in your pantry. I recommend making this with fresh sugar snap peas (they’re in season from spring to summer) to experience their natural sweetness and crisp crunch.
This recipe takes less than 20 minutes to toss together, which is why you’ll usually find me making it before sitting down for a Chinese takeout-inspired dinner. The fresh peas glazed in the garlic soy sauce bring a little extra excitement to the table, especially when paired with classics like a side of fluffy Egg Fried Rice and this hearty Beef and Broccoli.
Ingredients and Substitutions
These simple ingredients are all you need to make this snap pea side dish. I’ve also included a few easy substitutions just in case you happen to be out of an ingredient or two:
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves give me the savory punch of flavor I crave in the sauce. Two tablespoons of garlic granules might work as a substitute, but the garlic flavors will not be as strong.
- Sugar – I use brown sugar to tame the bolder flavors in the sauce. White sugar or maple syrup should work well as a substitute.
- Soy Sauce – It adds salt and umami to the sauce. Feel free to use tamari if you’re gluten-free.
- Stock – I like to use chicken stock as the base of the sauce, but vegetable broth or water will also do the trick.
- Oil – To give these stir fried snap peas nutty flavors and a crisp texture, I stir fry them in a mix of sesame oil and avocado oil. Feel free to replace the avocado oil with olive oil or vegetable oil if that’s what you have on hand.
- Snap Peas – Remember to pick up fresh sugar snap peas and not snow peas.
- Seasonings – Just salt and pepper.
- Sesame Seeds – Sometimes, I’ll garnish the snap peas with sesame seeds (plain or toasted) for more crunch.
How to Make Sesame Garlic Snap Peas
Whisk the Sauce: I start by whisking the garlic, sugar, soy sauce, stock, and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil together in a medium bowl until combined. I set the bowl aside.
Preheat the Skillet: Next, I pour the oil into a large wok or non-stick skillet and preheat it over high heat until I see wisps of smoke (about 60 to 90 seconds).
Stir Fry the Peas: I add the sugar snap peas to the preheated skillet and stir fry until they’re lightly browned but still tender-crisp.
Add the Sauce: I reduce the heat to medium, then pour the sauce into the skillet. I allow it to simmer around the snap peas for about 3 to 4 minutes. Afterward, I taste the sauce and season it with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve: I transfer the stir fried sugar snap peas to a serving dish. I pour any extra pan sauce over the peas, garnish them with sesame seeds, and serve them next to my favorite Asian-inspired recipes.
Chef Tip + Notes
If you want to avoid mushy sugar snap peas, then your pan has to be sizzling hot. Always give the oil in your skillet or wok plenty of time to preheat over high heat (you’ll know it’s hot enough when the oil is shimmering and you see light wisps of smoke). The peas should sizzle as soon as they hit the oil!
- Snow peas vs. sugar snap peas: I recommend using sugar snap peas for this recipe because of their larger and rounder shape and crisp and juicy texture. They also taste sweeter than snow peas, which helps them pair well with the savory-sweet sauce.
- Preparing snap peas for cooking: Before starting this recipe, make sure you wash the pea pods, trim the ends, and peel and discard the natural string from along the seam.
- Use a large and wide skillet: Your skillet or wok should be big enough to fit the snap peas in an even layer. When they stir fry in a single layer, they’ll cook and brown evenly and in no time at all.
- Don’t remove the peas from the pods: There’s no need to shell the peas from the pea pods before starting this recipe. Sugar snap pea pods are edible and give this dish its signature satisfying crunch.
- More garnish ideas: Feel free to top the cooked snap peas with slivered almonds, chopped peanuts, or a drizzle of chili oil.
Serving Suggestions
Similar to edamame, this sesame snap peas recipe can be served as a simple snack or a side dish with Asian-inspired main dishes. Because they’re so quick and easy to prepare, I’ll typically serve them on the side of my homemade orange chicken when I’m craving Chinese takeout.
If you’re like me, then you’ll want to pair them with even more Asian-inspired side dishes as well. From vegetable lo mein to egg drop soup to spring rolls, there are endless options to choose from.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make this dish up to 30 minutes ahead of serving. Transfer the peas to a serving dish, then pour the warm sauce over the top right before serving. You can also whisk the sauce together and prepare the snap peas up to 1 day ahead of making this recipe.
How to Store: Transfer the cooled garlic snap peas to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing the leftovers because the peas will be mushy after defrosting.
How to Reheat: Add the leftover snap peas and sauce to a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
More Easy Side Dishes
Sesame Garlic Snap Peas
Ingredients
- 3 finely minced garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons chicken stock or water
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 ½ pounds sugar snap peas
- coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- optional sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the garlic, sugar, soy sauce, stock, and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil until combined. Set it to the side.
- Next, add the oil to a large wok or non-stick skillet and heat over high heat for 60 to 90 seconds or until it begins to smoke lightly.
- Add in the sugar snap peas and stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned but still a little crunchy.
- Add in the sauce and cook for a further 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat. Adjust any seasonings with salt and pepper.
- Serve with optional sesame seeds
Sesame Garlic Snap Peas Recipe