Snap Pea Salad – Fresh and Crunchy Vegetable Salad

Difficulty:

2/5

Serves:

4 PEOPLE

Skip to recipe

Snap Pea Salad

Snap Pea Salad with Sesame Dressing is a crisp, colorful, and refreshing salad that delivers bold flavors in every bite. Featured on Everyday Excellent and hosted by Vanessa Gianfrancesco, this salad combines crunchy snap peas, sweet carrots, peppery radishes, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a tangy sesame-based dressing. It’s an ideal side dish for weeknight dinners, lunchboxes, or picnic spreads, providing both vibrant flavors and nutritional benefits.

This salad highlights the natural sweetness of fresh snap peas and the bright crunch of carrots and radishes. The sesame dressing—made with rice wine vinegar, tamari, olive oil, sesame oil, and a touch of honey—ties the ingredients together with a balance of acidity, umami, and subtle sweetness. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds texture and enhances the nutty flavor profile, making this salad as visually appealing as it is delicious.

The Inspiration

Snap peas are a versatile vegetable that work beautifully in fresh salads, stir-fries, and side dishes. This Snap Pea Salad was inspired by Asian-style vegetable salads, where bright, crisp vegetables are paired with tangy, nutty, and slightly sweet dressings to create layered flavors and textures.

Vanessa Gianfrancesco’s version of this salad emphasizes simplicity, freshness, and accessibility. The ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store, and the salad comes together in just a few minutes without any cooking. By keeping the vegetables crisp and raw, this salad maintains vibrant color and crunch, offering a refreshing contrast to heavier dishes.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) fresh stringless snap peas
1 medium carrot
6-8 radishes
2 scallions
1 small bunch cilantro
1 tbsp (6 g) toasted sesame seeds
1/3 cup (78 ml) rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp (30 ml) tamari
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) sesame oil
1 tsp (5 ml) honey
Pinch of salt

Methods

Slice snap peas in half. Cut carrot on the bias then slice in half to form half moons. Cut radishes into half moons. Slice scallions on the bias and rough chop cilantro. Toss all the vegetables together in a bowl.
Add the rice wine vinegar, tamari, olive oil, sesame oil, honey, and salt to a small bowl or jar and whisk or shake to emulsify. Dress and toss the salad, garnish with sesame seeds, and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Snap Pea Salad with Sesame Dressing is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of mains. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a balanced meal. It also works beautifully as a fresh, crunchy side to stir-fries, rice bowls, or noodle dishes.

For casual entertaining, this salad can be served in individual cups or bowls for easy portioning. It’s also perfect for lunchboxes, keeping the vegetables crisp and the flavors vibrant. For added variety, sprinkle in some slivered almonds or toasted cashews for extra crunch, or add thin slices of bell pepper for color contrast.

Final Thoughts

This Snap Pea Salad with Sesame Dressing is a testament to how simple ingredients can combine to create a dish that’s fresh, flavorful, and visually appealing. The crisp snap peas, sweet carrots, and peppery radishes provide textural contrast, while the sesame dressing adds a balanced combination of acidity, sweetness, and umami. With minimal prep, no cooking required, and a short assembly time, this salad is accessible for cooks of all skill levels. It’s a healthy, vibrant option for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or entertaining, and it elevates humble vegetables into a standout dish.

Whether served as a side, part of a lunch, or incorporated into a larger meal, this Snap Pea Salad delivers freshness, crunch, and a tropical-inspired flavor that’s satisfying and nutritious. It’s proof that quick, easy, and healthy salads can be exciting and flavorful—perfect for anyone looking to add a little color and crunch to their table.

Find more recipes from Everyday Excellent here!