Want healthy meals your kids will love?

Quinoa with Fresh Peas Recipe

13 Comments

Nothing says springtime quite like peas. This quinoa with fresh peas recipe is just the side dish you need this season. It’s light, tasty, and high in protein!

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink

It’s springtime and peas are coming in season. I love peas! Behind their sweetness they’re packed with amazing nutrition. What welcome news!

Plus, I feel like the small size of peas is something that kids love! Maybe it’s because they feel like less work to eat? My 11 month old loves to squish her peas individually before eating them. Whatever works!

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink

Though small, peas are mighty! They are a great source of fiber, vitamins K and C, folate, iron and protein. Iron and folate are important for growing bodies, and the fiber and protein will keep your family full. And we all need kids who stay full!

Pairing peas with quinoa adds even more protein. Did you know quinoa is a complete protein? This makes it a great vegetarian option. Quinoa is also mineral dense and has a good amount of healthy fats. It’s a great whole food to feed your family!

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink
One Pot quinoa and Fresh peas

This recipe is great because it can be made in one pot!

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink

First, you’ll cook the peas. Select a medium-sized pot and boil a few cups of water. Once boiling, dump 2 cups of peas in and remove from the heat. Once the peas are bright green, drain them into a colander and rinse with cold water. Keep them aside.

Next, boil your chicken broth in the same pot. Once boiling, add quinoa, cover, and reduce heat so that it stays at a gentle boil. Once all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the vinaigrette: lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, oregano, and salt and pepper.

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink

Once the quinoa has rested for 5 minutes, fluff it with a fork. Add peas, vinaigrette, and feta cheese. Stir until evenly combined and serve warm or cold. It’s great for a potluck!

A note on fresh and frozen peas

This recipe works for either fresh or frozen peas – so whichever you prefer is fine!

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink

Fresh peas will need to be shelled, and it will take somewhere around 2 pounds of peas to yield 2 cups shelled. Pick smaller and brighter pods for best results. Shelling peas is more work, but it can be fun and older kids might enjoy helping.

I’ve made this with frozen peas and it turns out great! Since fresh peas are only available for short periods of time, frozen peas are often an easier alternative. Plus, that means this fresh meal can be whipped up from your pantry without having to grab fresh peas right before making it.

Quinoa with Fresh Peas | Super Healthy Kids | Food and Drink

Do your kids like peas? How do you like to prepare them?

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
3.8 from 42 votes

Quinoa with Fresh Peas

Nothing says springtime quite like peas. This quinoa with fresh peas recipe is just the side dish you need this season. It’s light, tasty, and high in protein!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time17 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 411kcal

Ingredients

Dressing

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, boil a few cups of water. Once boiling, add peas and remove from the heat. Once the peas turn bright green (maybe 1-2 minutes), rinse them in cold water, drain, and set aside.
  • Rinse quinoa (if desired). In the same pot, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add quinoa, cover with lid, and reduce heat. Keep the pot at a low boil for about 15 minutes, until quinoa is fully cooked. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, and salt.
  • Fluff rested quinoa with a fork. Add peas, vinaigrette dressing, and feta cheese and stir together.

Nutrition

Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 362mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g
Keyword : fresh peas, gluten-free, high protein, Quinoa, spring, vegetarian

www.superhealthykids.com

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

Leave a Comment:
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




13 Comments

Hi Eileen! Frozen peas actually need very little cooking time, so yes, 1-2 minutes should do it. Really you’ll just want to warm them up just a little so they stay fresh and sweet.

Hi Chantal, it might be a bit less flavorful but it will still turn out. You can also sub in your own preferred herbs, too. 🙂

1 star
I really wanted to like this, but it did not turn out well at all. My toddler cried when she tasted it and I couldn’t finish my bowl. Sadly, I did not save it for leftovers.
The flavor profile was as my husband called it ‘zesty.’ I was hoping it would be bright and delicious with the lemon and pea combo but it was sour and mush.

4 stars
Really tasty! Even my 2 year old had some. The feta really makes it so I threw a little extra in!