Fresh & Zingy Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad Recipe for Spring

Snap pea salad bursts with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate, transforming ordinary vegetables into an extraordinary culinary experience.

These tender green pods bring a crisp, refreshing texture that elevates any meal from mundane to magnificent.

Delicate yet robust, snap peas offer a subtle sweetness complemented by aromatic seasonings and crunchy nuts.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of fresh ingredients that awaken your taste buds.

The combination of simple, high-quality components creates a dish that feels both elegant and approachable.

Fresh, seasonal snap peas become the star of this light and zesty recipe that promises to impress even discerning food lovers: Get ready to savor every delightful forkful.

Smart Storage Tips for Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad

• Chill Strategically: Place the snap pea salad in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve maximum crunch and flavor. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption and maintain the salad's pristine taste better than plastic alternatives.
• Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables and store separately from dressing to prevent wilting. Keep crisp snap peas, sliced almonds, and herbs in one sealed container, while keeping the vinaigrette in another small jar in the refrigerator.
• Consume Quickly: Enjoy the salad within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and texture. After this period, the snap peas may lose their signature crispness and the overall salad quality will decline.

Creative Add-Ins for Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad

• Green Bean Swap: Replace snap peas with thinly sliced green beans for a similar crisp texture and vibrant green color.
• Asian Fusion Crunch: Add julienned carrots and red bell peppers for extra color and Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in grilled chicken strips or seared tofu cubes to transform the salad into a complete meal.
• Mediterranean Remix: Substitute almonds with crumbled feta cheese and add chopped fresh mint for a Mediterranean-style vegetable salad with tangy undertones.

Bringing Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad to a Close

Snap pea salads whisper summer’s delicate narrative, blending crisp textures with aromatic nuances.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary symphony of freshness and depth.

Sesame seeds and coriander dance across each slender pea strip, creating complex flavor profiles.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques elevate this dish beyond ordinary vegetable preparations.

Green crunchiness meets nutty undertones, promising sensory delights with each forkful.

When regional ingredients harmonize like this, cuisine becomes pure poetry – so grab those ingredients, share this recipe with friends, spark conversations, and let culinary creativity bloom.

What Makes Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad So Crisp

• Boost Veggie Excitement: This snap pea salad transforms ordinary vegetables into a vibrant, crunchy sensation that makes eating greens incredibly fun and delicious.
• Master Quick Culinary Techniques: Learn impressive cooking skills like toasting sesame seeds and grinding coriander, which elevate simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish in just minutes.
• Celebrate Texture Playground: Experience a delightful mix of crisp snap pea strips, crunchy toasted almonds, and nutty sesame seeds that dance together with every refreshing bite.
• Customize Flavor Adventure: Easily adjust seasonings to match your taste preferences, making this salad a versatile recipe that adapts to your mood and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients That Make Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad Stand Out

• Snap Peas: Crisp and sweet green vegetable that provides the main texture and base of the salad, best when young and tender.
• Garlic: Sharp and aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent flavor to the salad.

• Sesame Seeds: Nutty and crunchy topping that provides toasted flavor and additional texture.
• Almonds: Crunchy nut that introduces a rich, buttery element to the salad.
• Coriander Seeds: Warm and citrusy spice that brings complex aromatic notes to the dish.

• Rice Vinegar: Mild and slightly sweet vinegar that balances the flavors and adds brightness.
• Neutral Oil: Light cooking oil that helps blend and distribute other ingredients smoothly.
• Sesame Oil: Rich and nutty oil that enhances the overall Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that elevates and harmonizes all other ingredients.

How to Assemble Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad the Easy Way

Step 1: Prep Snap Peas

Carefully trim away stems and strings from snap peas. Rinse them under cool water to remove any dirt. For extra crispness, soak peas in cold water for a few minutes, then drain and pat dry with paper towels.

• Snap peas
• Cold water
• Paper towels

Step 2: Toast Nutty Seeds

Heat a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly to prevent burning. Toast until seeds turn golden brown and release a warm, nutty aroma. Remove from pan immediately to prevent overcooking.

• Sesame seeds

Step 3: Awaken Coriander Flavor

In the same skillet, toast whole coriander seeds until fragrant. Transfer to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Grind into a coarse, aromatic powder that will add depth to the salad.

• Whole coriander seeds

Step 4: Slice Snap Peas Elegantly

Using a sharp knife, slice snap peas lengthwise into delicate strips. Aim for three to four thin strips per snap pea to create a beautiful, light texture.

• Sharp knife

Step 5: Create Vibrant Salad Blend

• Sliced snap peas
• Ground coriander
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Minced garlic
• Toasted almonds
• Rice vinegar
• Neutral cooking oil
• Sesame oil
• Salt

Toss ingredients gently until well mixed. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Enjoy immediately while the snap peas are crisp and the flavors are vibrant. Perfect as a side dish or light lunch.

Helpful Tips for Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad Success

• Maximize Pea Freshness: Select snap peas that are bright green, firm, and crisp from local farmers markets or produce sections for the best flavor and texture.
• Master Seed Toasting: Watch seeds carefully during toasting, swirling the pan constantly to prevent burning and release their deep, nutty aromatics without scorching.
• Balance Honey's Sweetness: Start with a small amount of honey, tasting and gradually adding more to create a perfectly balanced dressing that complements the peas' natural sweetness.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife to cut snap peas on a diagonal, creating thin, elegant pieces that absorb dressing and provide an elegant mouthfeel.
• Chill for Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving, allowing the dressing to penetrate the peas and blend the complex flavors of herbs and spices.

Ina Garten Snap Pea Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crisp snap peas dance with tangy goat cheese and toasted almonds in Ina Garten’s refreshing summer salad. Light, zesty flavors bring Mediterranean charm to your table, inviting you to savor each vibrant bite of this elegant side dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 1 pound (454 grams) sugar snap peas

Seeds and Nuts:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• ¼ cup (59 milliliters) almonds, toasted

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) neutral oil (e.g., canola or vegetable oil)
• 2 teaspoons honey (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) sesame oil
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. Meticulously rinse and trim snap peas, removing any tough stems or stringy edges. Pat them dry with clean kitchen towels to ensure crisp texture.
2. Carefully heat a dry skillet over medium-low temperature, gently toasting sesame seeds until they transform into a golden-bronze hue and release a nutty fragrance.
3. In the same skillet, delicately roast whole coriander seeds until they become aromatic and slightly darker. Transfer to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, crushing into a coarse, fragrant powder.
4. Using a sharp knife, slice snap peas lengthwise into delicate, uniform strips approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick, creating elegant, translucent ribbons.
5. Combine prepared snap pea strips with freshly ground coriander, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, lightly crushed almonds, rice vinegar, neutral cooking oil, sesame oil, and sea salt in a spacious mixing bowl.
6. Gently toss ingredients using a folding motion, ensuring even distribution of seasonings and preventing snap pea strips from breaking.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding additional salt, vinegar, or oils to harmonize the flavor profile. Let salad rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
8. Plate the salad immediately, garnishing with additional toasted sesame seeds or chopped almonds for visual appeal and textural contrast.

Notes

• Fresh snap peas deliver a delightful crunch and vibrant green color that elevates the entire salad’s texture and visual appeal.
• Toasting seeds carefully releases their hidden nutty essence, transforming ordinary ingredients into an aromatic flavor explosion.
• Balancing sweetness matters – start with recommended honey, then gradually adjust to match your personal taste preferences.
• Thinly slicing peas ensures maximum dressing absorption and creates an elegant, delicate mouthfeel that makes each bite more enjoyable.
• Chilling the salad allows flavors to meld together, creating a refreshing and harmonious dish that tastes even better after resting in the refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 143 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg