Whip up a light and crunchy sugar snap pea salad featuring snap peas, fennel, radishes and herbs dressed with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for warm weather meals!
I tend to like meals made with as little fuss and pretense as possible and that’s especially true during the warmers months. It probably comes as no surprise to those of you that have been coming here regularly that I eat a lot of salads all year-round, but when it’s warm and sunny out a salad is even more appreciated, especially when it’s light, crisp and filled with the best the season has to offer like this snap pea salad.
This spring salad features sugar snap peas, radishes and fennel in a crisp and crunchy salad that features some of the season’s best offerings. With hardly any effort you can whip up a light, bright salad everyone will love with no lettuce needed!
You can find more dishes highlighting fresh seasonal vegetables in my collection of vegetable recipes for spring.
This snap pea salad simply tastes like spring. Sugar snap peas are quickly blanched then tossed with thinly shaved fennel, crisp radishes and a generous amount of fresh herbs. The dressing is a simple lemon vinaigrette that’s quick and easy to whisk together. What you end up with is a light and refreshing combination with a satisfying crunch. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Sugar Snap Peas – You can leave your snap peas whole or slice them on the diagonal to make bite-sized pieces.
- Radishes –Regular red or multicolored radishes both work well here. If you can find them French radishes are especially good.
- Fennel – You’ll need about one medium bulb.
- Fresh Herbs – I like a combination of fresh mint, parsley and dill but you can use your favorite herbs.
- Lemon –You’ll need both lemon zest and lemon juice for the dressing.
- Olive Oil – Use your favorite extra virgin olive oil.
- Feta – Use a sheep’s milk feta for best flavor or try goat cheese if you’d prefer.
How to Make a Snap Pea Salad:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- You’ll start by quickly blanching the snap peas in boiling water, then dunking them in an ice-bath. The quick cooling ensures that the snap peas keep their bright color and snap in the salad.
- Next you’ll whisk together your lemon vinaigrette and add the shaved fennel, radishes, fresh herbs and snap peas and gently toss everything together.
- Crumble some feta over the top and you are ready to serve!
Variations:
- Use snow peas in addition to the snap peas.
- Use your favorite combination of fresh herbs.
- Use goat cheese instead of feta or opt for a vegan version.
More Spring Salads:
Sugar Snap Pea and Fennel Salad
Whip up a light and crunchy sugar snap pea salad featuring snap peas, fennel, radishes and herbs dressed with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for warm weather meals!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces/113g sugar snap peas, strings removed, sliced in half if large
- 1 ½ Tablespoons/22ml fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 Tablespoons/45ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced on a mandolin or handheld slicer
- 4 ounces/113g radishes, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup finely chopped dill
- ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped mint
- 2 ounces/56g feta, crumbled or cubed (dairy-free if necessary)
Instructions
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large heat-proof bowl with ice and water.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the snap peas just until they turn bright green (about 1 minute), then drain and plunge the snap peas into the ice bath. Spread the cooled snap peas onto a clean kitchen towel to dry.
- In a large bowl whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and olive oil. Add sliced fennel, radishes, chopped herbs and drained snap peas and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle with feta and serve.
Notes
Variations:
- Use snow peas in addition to the snap peas.
- Use your favorite combination of fresh herbs.
- Use goat cheese instead of feta or opt for a vegan version.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free Option, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan Option
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 251Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 210mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 7g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Marina says
This salad certainly brings spring in my home. Weather it's here or not, having such a fantastic salad for lunch would make my day.
Georgie says
Beautiful! Always gorgeous photos and equally awesome recipe. I love spring too, it may be my favorite season. I think I say that at the beginning of every season.
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
BT. Before Twitter. I was OK with waiting a bit longer for spring to hit Denver; I've lived here 25 years and it's become normal.
But now? Now I see people not a mile high enjoying spring while I still see just the bare tips of daffodils coming up and no signs of herbs yet and I groan when I see a photo like this...we still have a month to wait!
I guess it just means I will be more than ready huh? Because that I am. Seriously!
kankana says
The salad looks so crunchy .. total Spring! It was nice reading your interview in Divya's magazine 🙂
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Oh Sylivie, so pretty and healthy! Plus I love your blue bowls. 🙂
Shaina says
This looks so fresh and crisp. I can imagine eating it on a warm spring day in the backyard.
Kitchen Belleicious says
perfect for Spring and what a great easter dish it would be! Love it and as always the best photos on the web
Cookin' Canuck says
I love how you sliced the snap peas - such a pretty presentation. This salad epitomizes everything good about spring!
Fennel Friday says
Happy Fennel Friday! We featured your gorgeous salad for Fennel Friday and we are so glad to have found your site! happy Spring!
Sylvie says
Thanks so much for featuring my salad!
Alison @ Ingredientsinc.net says
beyond fabulous as always! Have a great weekend