Begin by gathering your ingredients. It’s always nice to have everything at your fingertips when you start cooking. Grab your can of peas and carrots, water, butter, sugar, lemon juice, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
Open the can of peas and carrots and drain the liquid. This is important to ensure your dish doesn’t become too watery. Give it a little shake to remove any excess.
In a small saucepan, combine the drained peas and carrots with water. This will help them steam and heat through. Pour in about half a cup of clean water for perfect consistency.
Next, add a tablespoon of butter to the pan. Watching it melt as you heat the mixture is one of my favorite parts!
Sprinkle in the teaspoon of sugar and stir gently. This will enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables, making each bite a little more delightful.
Now, drizzle in the lemon juice. This brightens up the dish and adds a refreshing note that balances the flavors beautifully.
Next, season with onion powder and red pepper flakes. The onion powder brings depth to the dish, while the red pepper flakes provide a lovely little kick. Adjust these to your taste.
Set the heat to medium and stir everything together. As it heats, you'll notice the butter melting and the vegetables becoming warm and tender.
Keep stirring until everything is heated through and the dish begins to bubble gently. This usually takes around five to seven minutes.
Once bubbling, remove the pan from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Sometimes a small pinch more of sugar or a dash of pepper flakes can make all the difference.
Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your Canned Peas and Carrots alongside your favorite main dish!