All About Sugar snap peas
Your complete guide to sugar snap peas - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Sugar snap peas Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for sugar snap peas in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Raw in Refrigerator (Unwashed)5-7 days
Signs of Spoilage
Yellowing or dulling of the vibrant green color, development of soft or slimy spots, limpness, shriveling, presence of mold (fuzzy white, grey, or black patches), or an off-putting sour/musty smell.
How to Check
Visually inspect for bright green pods; any discoloration (yellow, brown, or dull green) is a warning sign. Gently touch the pods – they should be firm and crisp; limp, soft, or slimy pods indicate spoilage. Smell them; fresh sugar snap peas have a mild, sweet, grassy aroma. A sour, musty, or unpleasant smell means they've gone bad.
Storage Tips
Store unwashed sugar snap peas in a breathable bag (like a perforated plastic bag or a produce bag with holes) or loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel within a sealed container in the crisper drawer. Washing them before storage can introduce moisture and accelerate spoilage.
Cooked in Refrigerator3-4 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sliminess on the surface, development of an off-smell (sour, yeasty, or putrid), visible mold growth, or unusual discoloration (darker, duller, or mottled appearance).
How to Check
Visually check for any mold or significant color changes. Smell the cooked peas; they should smell fresh and appealing, not sour or unpleasant. Touch them; they should not feel slimy or overly mushy. If in doubt, it's best to discard.
Storage Tips
Cool cooked sugar snap peas rapidly after cooking (within 2 hours) and transfer to an airtight container before refrigerating. This prevents bacterial growth and maintains freshness.
Raw in Freezer (Blanched)8-12 months
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn (dry, discolored, leathery spots, often greyish-white), development of an off-flavor or very mushy texture after thawing, or a stale/unpleasant smell (though less common if properly blanched and stored).
How to Check
Visually inspect for excessive ice crystals or signs of freezer burn. While not a safety issue, freezer burn degrades quality. After thawing, taste a small piece – it should still have a pleasant flavor and texture, not be overly soft or bland. A truly spoiled frozen item might have an off-smell after thawing.
Storage Tips
For best quality, blanch sugar snap peas in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately cool in an ice bath. Drain thoroughly, pat dry, and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to an airtight freezer bag or container. Remove as much air as possible from bags to prevent freezer burn.