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    Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Sugar Snap Pea Salad

    Published: Mar 23, 2020 · Modified: Jul 22, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 22 Comments

    Gluten FreeVegetarianMediterranean

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    sugar snap pea salad served in a white ceramic bowl

    When sugar snap peas are fresh and tender, this Sugar Snap Pea Salad is the ideal way to enjoy them. Sweet, crisp sugar snap peas are thinly sliced, seasoned simply, and adorned with a creamy, tangy yogurt dressing, flaky salt, and a drizzle of good olive oil. A beautiful, simple salad recipe with no cooking required!

    This Sugar Snap Pea salad caught my eye a couple of years ago in Bon Appétit magazine. It happened to be early spring, when sugar snap peas were at their peak. I made it once and we were hooked.

    Jump to:
    • Sugar Snap Pea FAQ
    • More must make spring salads!
    • How to make Sugar Snap Pea Salad
    • Recipe Video
    • Sugar Snap Pea Salad
    • 💬 Comments

    I simplified the recipe slightly, skipping buttermilk in the dressing. Plain yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and garlic deliver plenty of tangy flavor without it. And in addition to a pool of dressing on the bottom, I like to dribble some over the top. 

    At times I've embellished the recipe further, adding slivered fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced radishes (for more crunch and a pop of color), and slices of avocado to add a buttery element. We've enjoyed every version, though the one I'm sharing with you is my favorite, and the one we always come back to.

    Sugar Snap Pea salad makes a hearty side dish to almost any main (fabulous with Pan-Fried Lamb Chops), but can also stand alone for a light meal.

    Sugar Snap Pea FAQ

    Do you have to cook snap peas?

    No, you can eat snap peas raw. And, when they're at their peak in the spring, you should!

    How do you thinly slice sugar snap peas?

    You can thinly slice sugar snap peas lengthwise with a sharp knife. Or stack them on their sides in the shoot of your food processor and run them through the slicing blade. (Both methods pictured below).slicing sugar snap peas with a food processorhand slicing Sugar Snap Peas with a sharp knife

    Do you string sugar snap peas?

    Yes. The strings are edible, but can be difficult to bite through. Strings run along both sides of the sugar snap pea. With your thumb and index finger, snap off the stem end of the pea to expose the string and gently pull away to remove it. Repeat process on the other side. (Both the convex and concave sides of the sugar snap pea can have tough strings.)Stringing a sugar snap pea

    Do you have to cut the ends of sugar snap peas?

    You'll want to cut the stem end off of sugar snap peas. The other end is optional, though snapping it loose can help with removing the string(s).

    More must make spring salads!

    When asparagus is at its peak, try Asparagus Nicoise Salad, a riff on the French classic Nicoise Salad. And Strawberry Spinach Salad and Arugula Salad are others not to be missed this time of year!

    How to make Sugar Snap Pea Salad

    Step 1: Make dressing by whisking together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and salt.

    whisking sugar snap pea salad dressing

    Step 2: Toss sliced sugar snap peas with olive oil, lemon zest, and black pepper.

    dressing sugar snap peas

    Step 3: Divide most of the dressing between 4 individual salad bowls. Top each with dressed sugar snap peas and drizzle with remaining dressing. Season with freshly ground black pepper, flaky sea salt, and a swirl of olive oil. Serve.

    plating sugar snap pea salad

    Recipe Video

    Sugar Snap Pea Salad served in a white ceramic bowl

    Sugar Snap Pea Salad

    Marissa Stevens
    An easy, elegant and very tasty way to enjoy spring peak sugar snap peas raw! Adapted from Carla Lalli Music and Bon Appétit Magazine.
    5 from 9 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 126 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup whole milk plain yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 small clove garlic finely grated (ideally on a microplane)
    • pinch kosher salt
    • 8 ounces sugar snap peas strings removed and thinly sliced lengthwise (see recipe note)
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
    • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest plus more for finishing
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • flaky sea salt such as Maldon, for finishing

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and a large pinch of kosher salt in a small bowl. 
    • Add sugar snap peas, 2 Tbsp. oil, and 1 tsp. lemon zest to a large bowl and toss to coat; season with freshly ground black pepper.
    • To plate the salad, smear a generous amount of dressing in the bottom of 4 shallow serving bowls. Top each with ¼ of the sugar snap peas. Drizzle each with more dressing (thin with a little water if necessary). Finish with a drizzle of good olive oil, more lemon zest, some flaky sea salt, and coarsely ground black pepper. Serve.

    Notes

    1. You can thinly slice the sugar snap peas lengthwise by hand, but it's much faster using the slicing blade of a food processor. Be sure to stack the snap peas on their side before slicing instead of feeding them through the shoot. (See recipe video for demonstration.)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 31mgPotassium: 208mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 677IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword baby shower, date night, dinner party, food processor, gluten free, guilt free, healthy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Salad Recipes

    • Caesar Salad
    • Classic Wedge Salad
    • Crab Salad
    • Zucchini Salad with Lemon, Feta and Pine Nuts

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Liz says

      March 25, 2020 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      A delicious excuse to put sugar snap peas on my grocery list! I'm craving fresh salads and this is a winner! Stay well, my friend!!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 26, 2020 at 11:20 am

        Thank you, Liz! Same here - spring always makes me crave fresh salads. Be safe and well. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Valentina says

      March 24, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      I love when the sugar snap peas come into season. So fresh, bright and good for us! This light salad sounds wonderful. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 26, 2020 at 11:20 am

        Thanks so much, Valentina!

        Reply
    3. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      March 24, 2020 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a nice, light salad, Marissa!! Everyone in my family loves sugar snap peas. Such a good idea to turn it into a salad!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:34 pm

        I love to hear that, Katherine! I hope you'll give this one a try! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      March 24, 2020 at 10:27 am

      5 stars
      Love sugar snap peas - it used to be one of my favourite snacks which I'd pick just from our garden. And this salad looks and sounds beautiful - light, elegant, and fresh. That's simply the spring on your plate!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:35 pm

        Thanks so much, Ben! Nothing like snacking on snap peas right out of your garden...bliss!

        Reply
    5. Sabrina says

      March 24, 2020 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      This salad is gorgeous! Just perfect for the spring and love a yogurt dressing!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:38 pm

        Thank you, Sabrina!

        Reply
    6. Mimi says

      March 24, 2020 at 8:18 am

      This is gorgeous! Makes me happy about spring, although spring hasn’t quite sprung where I live. Love love love the dressing with the peas. Really a smart combination.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:39 pm

        Thank you so much, Mimi! Spring hasn't sprung here either - still eagerly awaiting those daffodils! 😉

        Reply
    7. Cheyanne says

      March 24, 2020 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      I love me some sugar snap peas!!! They are one of my raw favorite snacks to munch on while laying by the pool and they are so delicious in salads! Needless to say I'm loving that they are the actual star of this salad!! That tangy yogurt dressing sounds like the perfect accompaniment! I can't wait to make this!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:40 pm

        So good, right? Excited for you to try this, Cheyanne!

        Reply
    8. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      March 24, 2020 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      We love sugar snap peas so I know we love this salad! So fresh and delicious and just perfect for spring! Love how you served it over that yogurt mixture...how delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:40 pm

        Thanks, Dawn!

        Reply
    9. David @ Spiced says

      March 24, 2020 at 4:43 am

      5 stars
      I love sugar snap peas! In fact, we've planted them several times in the garden. Fresh ones have SO much flavor. I also love using them in stir fries. However, I've never used them in a salad like this before. What a fun presentation, Marissa! I'm so ready for Spring right about now, too!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:40 pm

        Yes, definitely ready for spring! Thanks, David!

        Reply
    10. angiesrecipes says

      March 23, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      I love them both raw and cooked. Yours looks so good served over the yoghurt dressing!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:41 pm

        Thank you, Angie!

        Reply
    11. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

      March 23, 2020 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      Beautiful fresh flavours - this looks so divine! Such a lovely addition to any meal.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 24, 2020 at 1:41 pm

        Thank you, Alexandra!

        Reply

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