A bright, elegant, spring-green French-style sauce made from sweet peas, fresh mint, butter, and cream (or optional lighter versions). Smooth, fragrant, and versatile.
YIELD: About 2 cups
FLAVOR PROFILE: Fresh, minty, sweet, creamy, delicate, lightly herbal
USES: Salmon, white fish, roast chicken, lamb chops, potatoes, pasta, vegetables, eggs, or as a modern plated garnish
INGREDIENTS
MAIN SAUCE BASE
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
2 small shallots, finely minced (or ½ small onion)
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 cups peas (fresh or frozen, thawed)
-
½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
-
½ cup heavy cream
-
¼ cup whole milk or half-and-half (optional, for thinning)
-
1–2 tbsp dry white wine or vermouth (optional, but highly recommended)
HERBS & AROMATICS
-
2–3 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
-
1 tsp lemon zest
-
1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
-
Optional: small handful of fresh parsley or chives for extra green color
SEASONING
-
¾–1 tsp fine salt
-
¼–½ tsp white pepper or black pepper
-
Pinch of sugar (brings out the natural sweetness of peas)
-
Optional: pinch of nutmeg (classic with cream sauces)
OPTIONAL ENHANCERS (Choose one or more):
-
1 tbsp crème fraîche (adds tang and silkiness)
-
1–2 tbsp mascarpone (for a luxurious finish)
-
1 tbsp butter stirred in at the end (monter au beurre)
-
1 tsp Dijon mustard for a French twist
-
1 tbsp mint pesto (mint + parsley + olive oil) for brighter color
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Sauté the Aromatics
Heat butter + olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add:
-
Minced shallots
-
A pinch of salt
Cook 3–5 minutes until translucent and fragrant, not browned.
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
2. Add Peas & Build the Base
Stir in the peas and let them warm through for 1–2 minutes.
Add:
-
Broth
-
Optional wine or vermouth
Bring to a gentle simmer for 3–4 minutes.
This softens the peas and infuses them with flavor.
3. Add Cream and Simmer
Pour in the heavy cream, stir, and reduce heat to low.
Simmer uncovered 5–7 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly and the peas to soften fully.
Do not let the cream boil hard—gentle heat keeps the sauce smooth.
4. Blend Until Silky (or Leave Rustic)
You now choose the texture:
A — Smooth French-Style Green Purée
Blend all ingredients until silky.
Strain through a fine sieve for extra refinement.
B — Half-Smooth (Restaurant Style)
Blend half the peas; keep the rest whole for texture.
C — Rustic “Peas in Cream”
Don’t blend at all—
just mash lightly with a spoon.
Return blended sauce to the pan if necessary.
5. Add Mint, Lemon & Seasoning
Stir in:
-
Fresh chopped mint
-
Lemon zest
-
Lemon juice
-
Salt and pepper
-
(Optional) crème fraîche or mascarpone
Taste and adjust:
-
More mint = fresher, brighter
-
More lemon = more vibrant, lighter
-
More cream or butter = richer, deeper
-
Pinch sugar = makes peas taste sweeter
-
More broth = thinner sauce
Warm gently for 1–2 minutes on low heat.
Avoid boiling after adding mint—it dulls the green color.
6. Finish the Sauce
To make it truly French, finish with:
-
1 tbsp cold butter (monter au beurre)
Swirl until glossy and smooth.
The sauce should be bright green, creamy, and aromatic.
7. Serve With
This Mint French Pea Sauce is excellent with:
Proteins
-
Salmon, cod, halibut, trout
-
Seared or poached chicken breast
-
Roast or grilled lamb chops (classic mint pairing)
-
Seared scallops or shrimp
Vegetables
-
Asparagus
-
Roasted carrots
-
Green beans
-
Potatoes (roasted, mashed, or boiled)
Starches
-
Buttered noodles
-
Risotto
-
Gnocchi
-
Couscous
-
Wild rice
Modern Plate Garnish
Use a spoon or squeeze bottle to make a bright green smear or dots on the plate.
CHEF’S NOTES & TIPS
-
Adding mint at the end preserves its fresh aroma.
-
Blending while warm gives a smoother texture than blending cold.
-
Use frozen peas—they are often sweeter and greener than fresh.
-
A splash of wine deepens flavor without making it boozy.
-
For vibrant green color, add a handful of spinach before blending.
-
Do not overheat after mint is added; it dulls the color and flavor.
VARIATIONS
1. Minted Pea Velouté
Make a light roux, add broth, peas, cream, blend smooth—lighter than this cream sauce.
2. Mint Pea–Yogurt Sauce (Lighter, Fresher)
Blend:
-
Peas
-
Greek yogurt
-
Mint
-
Lemon
-
Garlic
-
Olive oil
No cream.
3. Mint Pea Pesto
Blend peas with mint, basil, parmesan, olive oil.
Great on pasta or grilled bread.
4. Mint Pea Emulsion (Fine Dining)
Blend peas + mint + hot broth + a small piece of cold butter to emulsify.
Serve as a bright green “foam-style” sauce.
OTHER RECIPES
Ingredients :
- 1 tablespoon oil, preferably olive oil
- ¼ heaping cup diced white onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 8 ounces fresh spinach – cleaned, stemmed and dried
- 5 ounces fresh peas, shelled
- 3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- 1 ½ cups potato water (save water from boiled potatoes)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the onion, garlic and cumin.
Saute until the onion becomes translucent and the sauce turns a light golden color.
Mint French Pea Sauce Recipe Video :

