Mushy peas are served by English Chippies to accompany fried battered fish and chips. In Ireland mushy peas are often served as a side to roast leg of lamb.
Whatever way you choose, they are a delicious, easy-to-make traditional British or Irish side dish.
Table of Contents
Mushy Peas in Ireland and the British Isles
I serve mushy peas with fish and chips, just like they do in England. My husband lived and worked in London for nearly four years in his younger days and in that time span he grew very fond of fish, chips and mushy peas, and all sprinkled with malt vinegar.
And so after we got married, it was not long before he requested mushy peas. Now in England and Ireland, mushy peas are made using dried marrowfat peas. These are very large peas, which are soaked overnight in water with dissolved bicarbonate of soda or baking soda as it is called in America.
These dried green peas are placed in a heat proof bowl with the baking soda and covered with boiling water, before being left to soak for at least 6 hours.
It is hard to find dried marrowfat peas where I live in America, unless I choose to order them online and pay top dollar. They can even be purchased pre-cooked in cans, but I am not fond of parting with extra cash for something I can recreate in my own kitchen.
My version of mushy peas is made using fresh peas, then I add butter and whipping cream to the mashed peas to create a smoother, creamier texture.
Here is my version using the best-case-scenario, substitute ingredients to recreate this side in an American kitchen.
Ingredients for Mushy Peas
Here you’ll find a quick list of what you’ll need for this recipe.
Check out the printable recipe at the bottom of this post for US and Metric equivalent versions of the recipe.
There you can choose the measurement system that works best for you.
- fresh English peas
- salted butter
- heavy whipping cream
- salt
- pepper
I find fresh English peas at my local Sam's Club and they're a great substitute for dried peas. I have also seen them at Trader Joes. These big plump fresh peas are perfect for mushy peas recipes. They turn out great.
It's important to use a large pea. If you can't find fresh in your area, try a packet of frozen peas, but avoid the petite frozen peas. They are just too small and when mashed there are too many skins and not enough soft pea filling to recreate the appropriate texture.
I don't add any garlic or onions to my mushy peas. I keep the flavor profile as clean as possible with the peas being the feature ingredient.
Directions for Mushy Peas
Here you’ll find step-by-step photographic instructions to help you recreate this recipe successfully. There are plenty of tips included along the way.
Pop the peas into a colander and rinse them well, sifting through them for any stones or brown ones.
Transfer the peas to a large saucepan with a steaming basket. Add ½ inch of water to the bottom of the pan.
Bring the water to a boil, then turn down the heat and allow the peas to simmer for 10 minutes. This may seem a little long, but if you keep the peas too crispy they don't mash well, to create that lovely mushy pea texture.
When I look at the photo of my steamed peas, I cringe at their wrinkles. I would never overcook peas like this if I was planning to serve plain steamed peas. But if they aren't soft you'll never mash them for mushy peas, and achieve the desired consistency.
When they are tender, remove them from the heat and drain them.
Next melt the butter in the bottom of a saucepan.
Add the peas and mash with a potato masher. You might want to use a food processor to do this work for you, but I find it very hard to judge the correct texture using a food processor. I tend to end up with pea puree, rather than the perfect mix of mush and semi-solid peas required.
Anyway, at this stage I have already dirtied two saucepans, and the last thing I want to do is add to the clean up by transferring the peas to a food processor. Limit the dishes is always my motto!!!
Next add the heavy cream and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon or large mixing spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I like to use white pepper rather than black pepper. I think the peas look better without little black spot.
If you want to create an alternative flavor, you can omit the cream and substitute finely chopped mint and two teaspoons of lemon juice. My husband is not fond of mint flavored peas, so I tend to stick with his favorite creamy version.
In Ireland regular peas are often served with fresh mint, especially to accompany lamb whether it is roast leg of lamb or lamb chops.
Serve with fish and chips. Yummy, yummy goodness!!!!
Recipe Card for Homemade Mushy Peas
Here's a short video outlining the steps for this recipe.
Here is the printable recipe card.
Mushy Peas
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh English peas
- 2 ounces salted butter
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place the peas in a colander and rinse well. Transfer the peas to a saucepan with a steaming tray. Add a ½ inch of water to the bottom, and turn up the heat. Once the water is boiling turn down the heat and steam the peas for 10 minutes.
- Once the peas are tender, remove from the heat and drain.
- Melt the butter in the bottom of a clean saucepan. Add the steamed peas to the butter. Turn off the heat.
- Using a potato masher, mush the peas. Do not fully puree, but create a textured mush. Add the cream and mix thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve with fried battered fish and chips.
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
These peas are also delicious served as a side for roasts, or lamb chops. Mushy peas were a highlight of many of my childhood Sunday dinners.
Wishing you all happy pea mushing!!!!
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Kay G.
Oh please, please, please may I be invited for dinner? This looks fantastic!!! 🙂
You sure know how to make a girl hungry!
Love,
KAY
Irish American Mom
Kay - If you are ever in Kentucky we'll cook up some fish, chips and mushy peas for a real taste of England and Ireland.
Mairead
engbloke
i know its years later - but a top-tip (from an englisman) is to add mint to your mushy peas.
NEVER dried mint, but fresh.
Preferably, chopped fresh mint - marinated in vinegar for a day, then added (to taste) to your mushy pea recipe.
Try it. i promise, you will NOT be dissappointed 🙂
engbloke
....the fresh mint/vinegar marinate is what we call "mint sauce" - and in England, is an accompaniment to a roast lamb dinner.
(In fact - i dont know many who eat a sunday lamb roast WITHOUT mint sauce!)
Irish American Mom
I love roast leg of lamb with mint sauce. You are giving many new recipe ideas for my blog. Thanks so much.
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
I make a love pea and mint soup in the summer months. Mint just makes peas taste so good. Thanks for this great tip.
Take care,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
This is the first time I've ever heard of mushy peas. I learn so much from your blog! 🙂
Irish American Mom
Cheryl - I have many Irish and English recipes to share that never really feature in what Americans understand as traditional grub. I do admit I love mushy peas!
Richard
wow you have some great recipes on your site! when i worked in london we also used dried split peas for our mushy peas, worked very much like the marrowfats with that creamy smooth texture, the marrowfats are hard to beat though!!,
regards,
Richard.
Irish American Mom
Richard - Marrowfats make perfect mushy peas, but when they are hard to come by we always find a substitute. Mushy peas are such a great side for fish and chips.
Thanks for stopping by my site,
All the best,
Mairéad
engbloke
Also, (im sure you are aware) that tartare sauce completes the "fish, chips n peas" meal.
Along with a wedge of lemon
Irish American Mom
Tartare sauce is just perfect with a meal of fish, chips and mushy peas. I love tartare sauce from Ireland. It's a little creamier than the American version. I should probably make a tartare sauce for my blog one of these fine days.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Ann warren
Hello Irish American mum I came across your page from pin interest I too come from Ireland came to Australia 30 years ago enjoyed your recipes just like my Irish mum makes especially your bread recipes
Irish American Mom
Dear Ann - I'm so glad you enjoyed my recipes - you can't beat a little taste of Ireland when you are away from home.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
frank
Thomas Jefferson planted marrowfat peas at Monticello and they've raised them every year,I ordered some and planted them,I'm on my 2nd year I'm up to 400 peas after planting them again next year I will get to taste them.
Irish American Mom
Dear Frank - Thanks so much for letting us know marrowfats featured in the gardens at Monticello. I hope you have a wonderful crop of peas next year and that you get to savor the goodness of homegrown mushy peas.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Ilene Spector
I had mushy peas a few years ago in England and loved them. I now make them with frozen peas, the food processor, your basic recipe and serve at room temp as a dip....I name them for whatever occasion I am celebrating and everyone loves them! This weekend my sister & brother-in-law are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary with a party and the theme is "Casablanca", their favorite movie. So I am calling them "Casablanca Moroccan Dip"...serving with store bought pita chips. Yum!
Irish American Mom
Ilene - I never thought of using this recipe as a dip served at room temperature - thanks so much for this wonderful tip. And I love your original names, created for each occasion. What a brilliant idea. I hope you all have a lovely time at your sister's wedding anniversary this weekend. Happy anniversary to your sister and her husband.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jay Johnston
Actual mushy peas are from pre-mideval times, and come from the dried peas in the field, not wet soft green ones. Real mushy peas are dried then soaked to get mushy, hence the name. Instead of buying peas from the store (which are picked fresh), you should try the real peas, the hard yellow ones. But you can't buy them, you would have to grow your own, then let the whole plant turn brown, and shake them off. Since this was done to make harvesting and sotring easier, no modern store sells them this way. Makes it taste ten times better, and is far more authentic. (Like in split pea/ham soup).
Irish American Mom
Jay - Thanks for all these mushy pea cooking tips. I realize my version of mushy peas is nothing like the end product when they are made with dried marrowfat peas, but this is a quick recipe I use as an easy, if not perfect, substitute.
All the best,
Mairéad
bob
Here in the uk the dried peas are sold in any grocery store and are ideed the mature pea ripened on the plant, dried, then hulled. Nearly always sold with a bicarb tablet to hasten cooking - I tried cooking them without once and three hours later they were still like bullets, don't know if they ever soften without the tablet. I have read that they were ground to make a flour in the past not just boiled. I have never seen anyone eating yellow mushy peas as a side veg, they are usually put in stews.
Peas pudding hot, peas pudding cold, peas pudding in the pot nine days old.
Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it in the pot nine days old!
Irish American Mom
Hi Bob - In Ireland I only buy dried marrowfat peas and soak them with the tablet to soften them. This recipe is an easy way to somewhat mimic mushy peas when I am cooking in America. Thanks so much for adding to our conversation about mushy peas.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
katieJane
Everyone, what ever these are and how ever good they may be they are not mushy peas!!!
Mushy peas neither do not need nor have butter and cream in them!
And you do not need a masher to make them. They are mushy not mashed.
Seriously!
Irish American Mom
Katie Jane - Very true - in my blog post I explain that I am unable to purchase marrowfat peas in the U.S. to make true mushy peas, but instead make do with this version. I suppose they should truly be called "mushed up peas".
All the best,
Mairéad
Josephine
Hi,
I stumbled upon your blog while planning my St. Partick's Day family luncheon.
I am born and raised in California but lived in Ireland for two years starting in late 2007. I was pregnant when I arrived and in two years I left with a two year old and a five month old.
I was not happy living there as I was depressed and homesick for my family, but all these years later I hold that experience fondly in my heart. My boys love Ireland and we long to visit with them and the third child we added when we came home.
All this to say thank on for your blog and your recipes.
Irish American Mom
Hi Josephine - I'm delighted you came across my blog as you prepared your St. Patrick's Day celebration. I'm glad to hear you have fond memories of your time there, despite being separated from your family by so many miles. I fully understand how you were never really happy in Ireland when you missed your family so much. Homesickness is a difficult thing to explain to those who have never experienced it, but trust me, after spending over 20 years in America, I know what homesickness is. Perhaps homesickness could be a topic for a blog post one day. Thanks for the inspiration.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Bobby Lee Wolfe
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing. I use the same one only I use all organic ingredients and only Kerrigold butter from Ireland!
Pairs well with a grilled Lamb burger and Garlic smashed potatoes as well as traditional Fish n Chips. 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Bobby Lee -
Thanks for giving this recipe your thumbs up. I agree that Kerrygold is the best way to go - no other butter in America compares to the wonderful creamy taste of Kerrygold. Lamb burgers, or lamb chops are definitely great pairings for this side. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my recipes.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Bobby Lee Wolfe
Katiejane, are you the recipe nazi or what??
Irish American Mom
Hi Bobby - Technically Katie Jane is correct, in that real mushy peas do not need to be mashed. But as you and I know we have to be creative when living in America to recreate some of the tastes we enjoy from across the water.
Best wishes, and thanks for joining in our mushy pea conversation.
Mairéad
bob
Mushy peas are served with any (paticularly) sunday roast all over the uk, not just in ireland, though I have never heard of adding cream to the peas (rich on top of rich!). My family is welsh, irish, scottish living in england this generation, my partner is english, we all eat plain (soaked overnight dried) boiled marrowfat peas with roasts which are salted just before serving
Barb
This dish looks delicious. Something different. Do you think warmed chicken stock could be an alternative to the cream? Just wondering!
Irish American Mom
Hi Barb- Chicken stock will work for a healthier version of this recipe. The taste and texture will be slightly different without the cream, but delicious nonetheless.
Take care, and thanks for checking out this recipe.
Mairéad
Anna
No lie, I ate this all in one sitting so fast that I forgot to take a picture of it. I live in US so I used frozen sweet peas and did it in the blender. So simple and so delicious.
Irish American Mom
Hi Anna - Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed these mushy peas. This truly is a simple side dish, but this cooking method brings peas to a whole new level of excellence.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sally
This is a great idea. I love mushy peas and this could work when martowfats can’t be found.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sally - Marrowfats are best without a doubt, but these garden peas work well as a good substitute.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joy
I just made both versions of these mushy peas and LOVE them both. Maybe this question is sacreligious but...well I'm asking it anyway. Has anyone ever put together a recipe for mushy peas with fresh garlic?
Irish American Mom
Hi Joy - Your suggestion sounds wonderful. I've never made mushy peas with fresh garlic, but I'm sure many have tried it. Peas and garlic should be a fabulous combination. Thanks for trying this recipe and giving it 5 stars.
All the best,
Mairéad