Arakas – Greek sweet peas is a traditional Greek dish so easy & fresh. In Greece, arakas is the main course but can be an awesome side dish to grilled steak, chicken, or fish.

A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a cloth napkin at the back, two lemon wedges and some pieces of pita bread.

Arakas – Greek sweet peas are part of a unique Greek gastronomic category, called “ladera”, meaning vegetables cooked in a simple way with olive oil. Long before the veganism movement was born, Greek cuisine used wholesome olive oil which depending on its recipes and subcategories, is vegan and vegetarian.

A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a cloth napkin at the back, two lemon wedges and some pieces of pita bread.

This is my mother’s sweet peas recipe, and it is very satisfying and healthy. Fuss-free, you literally throw everything in a pot, and half an hour later, a delicious meal emerges. 

You need very few ingredients.

On aa butcher block, two bouillon cubes, a small bowl with sea salt, a red pepper mill, a small container with olive oil, a bunch of fresh dill, five fresh scallions and a large bowl with frozen peas.

All you need is a 2ย lbย bag of frozen sweet peas, 5-6 scallions, lots of fresh dill, and extra virgin olive oil. A couple of veggie bouillon cubesย (always palm oil-free) or broth, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper, and that’s it. This recipe yields about six servings if you serve araka as a main dish and 8-10 if it is a side dish.

How to make araka

This is a very simple & easy sweet peas recipe.

In a large pot, heat 1/3 cup olive oil. Add the scallions and sautรฉ for a minute.
Add the sweet peas, 2 cups of water, the bouillons, and the dill. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 min or until peas are soft but still hold their round shape. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. That’s it!
A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a lemon wedge and some fresh basil.

How to enjoy araka

  • Arakas is usually served as a main dish with a salad, feta or graviera cheese, and crusty bread. However, it can be a delicious side to any roast or grilled protein. Enjoy the peas warm right out of the pot or at room temperature.
  • It makes great leftovers; I usually make the whole 2 lb bag of sweet peas for the two of us and enjoy the leftovers the next few days. A bowl of araka with some pita and a piece of cheese is all I need for a healthy and satisfying lunch. We might prepare some chicken, a salad, and a side of the lovely sweet peas for dinner.
  • Add some fresh lemon juice on top for a bright note.
  • Alternatively, you can cook araka with 2 cups of grated tomatoes, two or three potatoes quartered and a couple of carrots sliced in large coins. Turn the tomato version into a stew by adding bite-size pieces of tender chicken.

Check out my Greek pantry staples 

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A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a cloth napkin at the back, two lemon wedges and some pieces of pita bread.

Arakas – Greek Sweet Peas

by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
Arakas – Greek sweet peas is a traditional Greek dish that is so easy & fresh.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Greek
Servings 6
Calories 209 kcal

Equipment

  • stock pot

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb bag frozen sweet peas
  • 6 scallions chopped
  • 1 bunch fresh dill chopped
  • โ…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 organic veggie bouillon cubes palm oil-free bouillon cubes

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat โ…“ cup olive oil. Add the chopped scallions and sautรฉ for a minute.
  • Add the peas, the water, the bouillons and the dill. Stir well. Bring to a boil than reduce heat and simmer for 30 min or until peas are soft but still hold their round shape.
  • Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and serve.

Notes

  • Instead of 2 bouillon cubes + 2 cups of water, you can use 2 cups of veggie broth.
  • Serve arakas on its own with good bread and cheese like gruyere or feta or a side dish to grilled steak, chicken, or fish.
  • You can add two carrots chopped in 1/2 inch coins and two, three potatoes cut in large cubes to this dish for a variation on this recipe. Don’t stir the ingredients all together while they cook not to let the potatoes fall apart; shake the pot once and a while to move things around.ย 
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Nutritional Infoย โ€“ Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 240mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 8gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1249IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
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Arakas - Greek Sweet Peas With Dill

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