How to Store Peas
Garden peas lose their just-picked sweetness quickly, so treat them as a crop to eat or freeze rather than store fresh. Pick full but still tender pods, preferably on a cool day, and shell them soon afterwards. Mangetout and sugar snap peas are similarly short-lived and are best handled promptly after harvest.
Best storage conditions
Fresh peas need 0 to 4 degrees C, high humidity and a clean, ventilated container, but even then should be used quickly. A refrigerator is more suitable than a shed, garage or porch. Keep pods dry on the surface and away from ripe fruit. For dried peas, use a dry, dark, cool cupboard with low humidity after the peas have been thoroughly dried and sorted.
How long it keeps
Fresh podded peas are best cooked within 1 to 2 days, while whole pods may last several days if chilled. Blanched frozen peas retain good quality for 10 to 12 months in a chest freezer. Dried marrowfat or soup peas can keep for a year or longer when completely dry and sealed.
Storage methods
Pick pods regularly and shell them as soon as possible, then chill the peas if they cannot be cooked that day. Keep fresh peas in a lightly covered container or perforated bag in the refrigerator, not in a warm kitchen. For drying peas, leave appropriate varieties on the vines until pods are dry and brittle, then harvest in settled weather. Spread pods or shelled peas on trays in a dry, airy frost-free shed until hard throughout. Store only sound, dry peas in labelled airtight containers. Discard anything soft, mouldy or insect-damaged before it reaches the store.
Preserving
Blanch shelled peas, cool rapidly, drain and dry well, then freeze in meal-sized bags or tubs. Freezing loose on a tray first makes portions easy to pour. Mangetout and sugar snaps can be blanched and frozen too, though their texture softens after thawing. Dried mature peas are useful for soups and purées. Follow a trusted recipe for pickled pea preparations.
Tips
Shelling beside the plants is a pleasant way to deal with a glut, but bring peas indoors promptly on hot days. Do not leave harvested pods in the sun. Freeze only sweet, tender peas; large starchy peas are better cooked at once or dried. Check dried peas periodically for dampness, pests or mould.
Storing Peas: frequently asked questions
How do I store peas?
Pick pods regularly and shell them as soon as possible, then chill the peas if they cannot be cooked that day.
How long does peas keep in storage?
Fresh podded peas are best cooked within 1 to 2 days, while whole pods may last several days if chilled.
What are the best conditions for storing peas?
Fresh peas need 0 to 4 degrees C, high humidity and a clean, ventilated container, but even then should be used quickly.
Store only sound, dry produce and check regularly. For bottling and preserving, follow a trusted recipe. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.