How to Cook Dried White Peas

Dried white peas need a proper soak and simmer to turn tender rather than staying tough, a step that matters more here than it does with faster cooking pulses like masoor.

The method

Soak dried white peas for at least six to eight hours, or overnight, before cooking.
Discard the soaking water and cook in fresh water, with salt added only after the peas have begun to soften.
Pressure cook for several whistles, or simmer in an open pot for an hour or more, until fully tender.
Adding salt too early can slow softening, so hold off until the peas are already partway cooked.
Check a few peas by pressing them between your fingers, they should mash easily and evenly when properly done.

Picked this week

White field peas

Najirpur Farm II · Najirpur

Field Pea White

$1.04 · 1 KG

Our standards

Cooking white peas questions

How long do dried white peas take to cook?: An hour or more in an open pot, or several pressure cooker whistles, after a proper overnight soak.
Why are my white peas still hard after cooking?: Likely an insufficient soak, or salt added too early, both of which slow how quickly the peas soften.
Can I skip soaking white peas?: It is not recommended. Skipping the soak significantly extends cooking time and can leave the peas unevenly cooked.
Should I use the soaking water to cook the peas?: Discarding it and using fresh water is common practice, since the soaking water can carry some bitterness.

Comments

Loading comments…