Canned Pea Bread Recipe
Last Updated on July 5, 2024 – Originally Posted August 14, 2017
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I was very skeptical about this recipe figuring it wouldn’t work or it would have an awful taste. Was I ever wrong! It come out beautifully with great texture and flavor. Thanks for the recipe, I’ll definitely make it again. ~ Hilary
In 2017 I went to a family reunion. While I was there, Cousin Adair told me that you can make bread like potato bread, but using cooked or canned vegetables instead of potatoes.
It sounded too intriguing to pass up. I had to try it for myself. And you know what? Cousin Adair was totally right.
The bread is very similar to potato bread. It’s moist and chewy while being sturdy enough for sandwiches. It’s also very easy to make as you let the bread machine mash the peas. There is only the teeniest, tiniest taste of peas.
The loaf has an unusual looking crust. I suspect it has to do with the time it takes for the machine to mash the peas. In my opinion, the crust makes the bread look interesting and homemade.
Instructions for Making Canned Pea Bread
This makes a two-pound loaf of bread. Use the basic setting with medium crust.
First of all, don’t worry about mashing the peas. Let the bread machine do that for you.
Secondly, you’re going for 1 3/4 cup of peas and water. Drain the canned peas and then add them to a two-cup Pyrex measuring cup. Then fill the cup with water to the 1 3/4 cup mark. The peas and water will be the liquid for your recipe.
I’ve had numerous people ask about draining the peas. Why? Isn’t the liquid in the can the same as the water you’d add? Not necessarily. Many peas are canned with salt. I’m trying to make sure that you’ll get a good rise by controlling the salt.
Follow the instructions that came with your bread machine in terms of which ingredients to put in the bread machine first. With my machine (a Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Virtuoso), I add the liquid first. So in this case the 1 3/4 cup of peas and water went into the machine first.
Now here’s a sight you don’t see every day
I used the basic bread setting and chose “medium” for the crust setting.
You know how I always tell you to check on the dough after five or ten minutes of kneading? With this recipe, it took longer than normal for the dough to become a smooth round ball.
Canned Pea Bread Recipe for the Bread Machine
Again, this makes a two-pound loaf of bread. Use the basic setting with medium crust.
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups bread flour
1 (15 oz.) can sweet peas and enough water to make 1 3/4 cup – see the instructions
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Why do the instruction say to drain the peas? The liquid + the peas must = 1 3/4 cup isn’t that correct?
I recommend draining the peas to get rid of any extra salt that the peas were canned with. Then yes the water and the peas should equal 1 3/4 cups.
After you’ve drained the peas, is there a reason to add water instead of the liquid from the peas to the measuring cup to get 1 3/4 cup total volume?
Thanks for being there.
Ron
Great question! The water from the can may have extra salt in it. That’s why I recommend draining it.
I was very skeptical about this recipe figuring it wouldn’t work or it would have an awful taste. Was I ever wrong! It come out beautifully with great texture and flavor. Thanks for the recipe, I’ll definitely make it again.
Thanks so much for the great comment! I’m glad you liked the bread. I do too. 🙂
Do you heat the liquid at all?
It depends on your bread machine. My machine preheats the bread ingredients so it’s not needed. If your machine’s manual advises you to add preheated liquid, then yes.
I *despise* canned peas. Haven’t touched them in ~50 years. My DH aka the hunter/gatherer, picked up a case of them to avoid going to the grocery store. Pandemic anyone? My plan was to donate them to the food pantry, but this recipe popped up in my search of bread machine recipes.
We both were blown away by how moist and good this turned out! It’s even tastier toasted. THANK YOU!!
You have just made my day!! Thanks so much for letting me know.
I wonder if this can be made with frozen peas? I try to steer clear of canned food.
I think that would work. You’d want to cook the peas . . . maybe even overcook them a little to make them easier for the bread machine to work with.
Loved the pea bread! Making it with a can of chopped carrots today or tomorrow. Will let you know how it does. Thank you Marsha for all you do.
Yes, please let me know how it goes!
It was very tender almost fragile. I added about 1 1/2 T of extra bread flour and it balled somewhat. Maybe need to add more. Getting it out of the pan injured it a bit but it still stood. A lovely color and slicing off the end while still warm, it was a glorious color! Would make a wonderful PB&J and I look forward to a piece toasted with cinnamon and sugar with a cup of tea in the morning. Thank you!
Thanks so much for letting me know! I’ll have to try your recipe.