Fried Plantain and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Spicy Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

A colorful Cameroonian-inspired salad combining sweet fried plantains and protein-rich black-eyed peas tossed in a zesty, spicy vinaigrette. This African-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs black-eyed peas, cooked and drained, red bell pepper, diced, red onion, finely chopped 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 300 calories and feeds 4, 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 medium ripe plantains, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup black-eyed peas, cooked and drained
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Fry 2 medium peeled and sliced plantains in batches for 3-4 minutes per batch until golden and crisp on the edges. Remove and drain on paper towels.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked and drained black-eyed peas, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1 small finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp hot sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste until well emulsified.
4. Step 4: Add the fried plantains to the black-eyed pea mixture, pour the dressing over, and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately or chilled.