Want to make Nando’s macho peas? Our Homemade version of the macho peas is super quick, easy, and takes just under 10 minutes. Plus the minted peas taste as delicious as the version from Nando’s restaurant.
Nando’s Macho Peas copycat recipe ready in 10 minutes
We love the food at Nando’s restaurant and I do like to make copycat versions of their recipes at home. On days when I am really craving for some and can’t do a takeaway, my fake-away versions come to the rescue just like my copycat Nando’s Spicy rice and this minted Machos peas. Both dishes are always available on the Nandos menu in the restaurant.
You will not believe how easy it is to make Macho Peas at home until you actually make it. The recipe takes about 2 minutes prep time, 4 – 5 minutes cooking time and only 1 pan to cook. The recipe is Vegan if you are using Vegan butter.
Why should you make this recipe?
Restaurant-style side dish ready in under 10 minutes – You have never tasted Macho peas at the Portuguese famous Nando’s restaurant in the UK. And these flavoured peas are just so good.
A handful of ingredients – The recipe uses only a handful of ingredients, most of which you may already have at home.
Budget-friendly side dish. Most of the ingredients are cheap and inexpensive.
Dietary needs – It’s naturally Vegetarian, Gluten free.
Portuguese – This recipe screams Portuguese flavours from the comfort of your home.
Nandos macho peas ingredients
This easy recipe uses 8 ingredients, most of which you may already have in your home.
Garden Peas -Also known as green peas. I like to use Birds Eye garden peas or any of the superstore garden peas, available in the frozen section. They are larger in size and work perfectly for this recipe. Do not use Petit Pois as the size is quite small.
Olive Oil – Use good quality extra virgin oil!
Butter – I like to use Unsalted butter – either vegan butter or regular ones. Adding the butter gives that added richness to the humble macho peas.
Chilli flakes – Adding the chilli flakes gives a bit of heat to the dish and it is delicious. If you are making it for younger children, you can leave it out.
Salt – to season the peas.
Herbs – I have used Mint and Parsley for this recipe. Do not leave out the mint in any case as that is what adds the minty flavour to the peas in this recipe. Parsley renders robust flavours to the dish.
Water – to boil the green peas.
Variations
Garlic flavour – I like to add 2 cloves of minced garlic or 1/2 tsp of garlic powder for variation.
Peri Peri flavour– Add 1 tsp of peri peri salt to make Peri Peri Macho peas. It’s so good!
Vary the Herbs – Along with mint, I like to occasionally add coriander leaves.
Serving Suggestions
This Nando’s Macho peas go well with all the Nando’s favourite dishes like spicy rice, corn on the cob, coleslaw and potato chunky chips. It will taste fantastic with any dish that has peri peri sauce.
Leftover Macho Peas
Any leftover macho peas will taste best when it’s fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Simply reheat the peas in the microwave and enjoy them warm. If you enjoy it cold, serve the machos peas straight from the fridge.
Can I freeze the cooked Macho Peas?
No, you cannot! As this recipe uses frozen peas that have been cooked, I will not recommend freezing it again. However, you can store the leftover in the fridge for up to 2 days.
How to make Vegan Macho Peas?
To make Vegan machos peas, swap the butter for vegan butter. Alternatively, you can omit the butter from the recipe and add a little more olive oil.
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10 minutes Easy Macho peas recipe below
Ingredients
- 420 g frozen Green Peas 3 Cup
- 1 Tbsp olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp butter or Vegan butter
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
- 2 Tbsp mint leaves finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp parsley finely chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place the frozen green peas in a pan and cover them with boiling water from the kettle.
- Bring the peas to boil and simmer for just 2 minutes or until the peas are ready.
- Drain the peas in a colander and set it aside.
- In the meanwhile, heat butter and olive oil in the same pan.
- Add chilli flakes, garlic(if using any), peas, salt, and herbs. Mix to combine. If you like, you can mash the green peas gently with a potato masher. Still ensuring many of the peas are still whole.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition
Step by Step Instructions to make Nandos Macho Peas
- Place the frozen green peas in a pan and cover them with boiling water from the kettle. Bring the peas to boil and simmer for just 2 minutes or until the peas are ready.
- Drain the peas in a colander and set it aside.
- In the meanwhile, heat butter and olive oil in the same pan.
- Add chilli flakes, salt and garlic(if using any) and cook briefly for 20-30 seconds.
- Now add the peas and herbs. Stir to combine.
- If you like, you can mash the green peas gently with a potato masher. Still ensuring many of the peas are still whole. The texture of the dish will then resemble the ones from the restaurant.
- Serve warm Machos Peas with all other Nando’s restaurant favourites dishes.
Teresa Muller says
Macho peas tastes delicious! We enjoyed it with corn on the cob and peri peri chicken.