Description
Celebrate spring with this Best Homemade Spring Pea Salad! A refreshing and easy recipe featuring sweet peas, crisp vegetables, creamy dressing, and fresh mint. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch. Enjoy this vibrant and flavorful garden pea salad!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 1 cup cooked pasta (small shells or ditalini work well)
- 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Peas: If using fresh peas, shell them. If using frozen peas, blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and retain their vibrant green color. Drain well.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the prepared peas, cooked pasta, cubed cheddar cheese, and chopped red onion. Ensure that the pasta is cooled before adding it to the bowl to prevent the cheese from melting.
- Add Fresh Mint and Cheese: Sprinkle the chopped fresh mint over the mixture. Gently toss everything together to ensure the mint is evenly distributed.
- Prepare and Add the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and lemon juice until smooth. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently fold to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the salad. Fresh peas, high-quality cheese, and fresh herbs make a significant difference.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Overcooked pasta can make the salad mushy. Cook the pasta al dente and let it cool completely before adding it to the salad.
- Adjust the Dressing to Your Taste: If you prefer a tangier salad, add more lemon juice. For a sweeter salad, consider adding a touch of honey or maple syrup.
- Chill Before Serving: Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors time to meld together and enhances the overall taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cold prep
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: spring pea salad, pea salad recipe, homemade pea salad, garden pea salad, fresh pea salad, spring salad, easy salad recipe, pea and pasta salad