Elsa’s Chilled Snow Pea and Cucumber Salad with Mint
A crisp, refreshing salad combining snow peas, cucumber, and fresh mint with a light lemon dressing, evoking a cool, icy palette. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs trimmed fresh snow peas, medium, thinly sliced english cucumber, chopped fresh mint leaves into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, trimmed fresh snow peas
- 1 medium, thinly sliced english cucumber
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and blanch 2 cups trimmed fresh snow peas for 1 minute until bright green and tender-crisp, then immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking; drain well.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched snow peas with 1 medium thinly sliced English cucumber and 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour the lemon dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving to enhance the refreshing flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Elsa’s Chilled Snow Pea and Cucumber Salad with Mint take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Elsa’s Chilled Snow Pea and Cucumber Salad with Mint?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed fresh snow peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Elsa’s Chilled Snow Pea and Cucumber Salad with Mint?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Elsa’s Chilled Snow Pea and Cucumber Salad with Mint for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Elsa’s Chilled Snow Pea and Cucumber Salad with Mint vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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