Homemade Nando’s Style Peas (Easy Macho Peas Recipe)

Updated: April 2026
These homemade Nando’s style peas are a quick and easy version of the famous macho peas side dish.

They’re buttery, herby, lightly spicy and made with simple frozen peas, fresh herbs, chilli and seasoning. Half the peas are mashed, half are left whole, so you get that lovely chunky texture that makes them taste so good.

They’re perfect served with:

• peri peri chicken
• homemade burgers
• spicy wedges
• grilled halloumi
• chicken wraps
• Loaded Fries

This is such an easy side dish to make at home, and it’s ready in around 15 minutes.

Quick Answer – How Do You Make Nando’s Style Peas?

To make homemade Nando’s style peas, cook frozen peas, mash half of them with butter, then stir through the remaining whole peas with chopped parsley, mint, red chilli, salt and black pepper.

The result is a quick, buttery, spicy pea side dish that’s perfect with peri peri chicken, burgers or fries.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is a really easy side dish that adds loads of flavour to simple meals.

• Ready in around 15 minutes
• Uses frozen peas
• Easy to make spicy or mild
• Great with chicken and chips
• Lovely buttery, herby flavour
• Perfect for homemade Nando’s style dinners

Ingredients For Homemade Nando’s Style Peas

You only need a handful of ingredients.

• 250g cooked peas, still hot
• 50g unsalted butter
• ½ small red chilli, finely chopped
• small bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 3 to 5 mint leaves, finely chopped
• sea salt
• black pepper

Ingredient Notes And Easy Swaps

Peas

Frozen peas are perfect for this recipe. They cook quickly, taste sweet and keep their bright green colour.

Butter

Butter gives the peas that rich, glossy flavour. Use unsalted butter so you can control the seasoning yourself.

Red Chilli

Use half a small chilli for gentle heat. For a milder version, remove the seeds. For more heat, add extra chilli.

Parsley

Flat leaf parsley adds freshness and works really well with the buttery peas.

Mint

Mint gives the peas a fresh, classic flavour. Don’t overdo it though, as it can easily take over.

Equipment Needed

You’ll need:

• chopping board
• sharp knife
• saucepan
• colander
• potato masher
• mixing bowl

How To Make Homemade Nando’s Style Peas

These spicy, buttery peas are really easy to make.

Step 1 – Cook The Peas

Cook the frozen peas in boiling water as per the packet instructions.

Drain them well in a colander.

Step 2 – Chop The Herbs And Chilli

While the peas are cooking, finely chop the parsley, mint and red chilli.

Remove the chilli seeds first if you prefer a milder flavour.

Step 3 – Mash Half The Peas

Tip half the hot cooked peas into a mixing bowl.

Add the butter and mash well using a potato masher.

You want the peas roughly mashed, but not completely smooth.

Step 4 – Add The Whole Peas

Add the remaining whole peas back into the bowl with the mashed peas.

This gives the dish its chunky texture.

Step 5 – Add The Flavour

Stir in the chopped parsley, mint and red chilli.

Season with sea salt and black pepper.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve.

Expert Tips For The Best Homemade Macho Peas

Mash Only Half The Peas

This gives you the best texture, with a mix of creamy mashed peas and whole peas.

Use The Peas While Hot

Hot peas help the butter melt properly and coat everything evenly.

Chop The Chilli Finely

This spreads the heat through the peas without getting big chunks of chilli.

Taste Before Serving

Add salt, pepper and chilli gradually so you can get the flavour just right.

Serve Straight Away

These peas are best served warm while the butter is melted and glossy.

How Spicy Are These Peas?

These homemade Nando’s style peas are gently spicy rather than really hot.

To make them milder:

• remove the chilli seeds
• use less chilli
• add more butter

To make them hotter:

• add extra chilli
• leave some seeds in
• add a pinch of chilli flakes

What To Serve With Nando’s Style Peas

These peas are perfect with peri peri style meals and easy dinners.

Try serving them with:

• peri peri chicken
• air fryer Nando’s chicken
• turkey burgers
• chicken wraps
• spicy chicken burgers
• sweet potato wedges
• peri peri fries
• halloumi
• cheesy pull apart bread

More Easy Side Dishes

If you love easy sides to serve with chicken and chips, try these next:

• Cheesy Piri Piri Sweet Potato Wedges
• healthy coleslaw
• quick Padron peppers
• Roasted Root Vegetable Couscous
• air fryer fries
• potato wedges

Can You Make These Peas Ahead?

You can make them ahead, but they’re best served fresh.

To make ahead, prepare the peas, cool them quickly and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Reheat gently in the microwave or in a pan until piping hot.

How To Store Leftovers

Store leftover peas in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 1 day.

Reheat until piping hot before serving.