Easy Spinach and Pea Salad
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This easy Spinach and Pea Salad is a light and healthy dish made with peas, baby spinach, red onion, and pesto for the dressing. It’s simple but utterly and completely delicious with only 4 ingredients.
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Why I Love This Pea Salad Recipe
I was meandering down the deli aisle at one of my favorite markets in Portland, Oregon (Zupans) when my mom pointed out their pea salad. “Dad loves peas,” she said.
Taking a closer look, I thought it looked pretty tasty, too, and looked at the ingredients on the card. That night, with pea salad occupying my mind, I knew we had to recreate it—for Dad, of course. Although secretly, I was then craving peas, too.
This salad recipe is intentionally easy, with only four ingredients. The only cooking needed is a quick boil of frozen peas, which also makes it a year-round recipe!
I hope you enjoy this salad as much as we do. Every time I serve it, I’m asked for the recipe, so I wanted to pass it along to you, too!
For more pea salad inspiration, you may also love my Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Pecans or the Asparagus Salad with Peas and Goat Cheese!
Pea Salad Ingredients
Here are the 4 ingredients you will need.
- Peas: Frozen peas are just fine in this recipe. However, if you have any fresh English peas on hand, you can use them or mix them with the frozen peas.
- Spinach: I like using baby spinach leaves. If you use full-size leaves, you will want to chop them roughly.
- Red Onion: Adds a bit of flavor and kick to the salad. If you want to tone down the flavor, soaking them in water while the peas cook will help.
- Pesto: Making your own pesto is absolutely delicious. However, we’re keeping it easy by using a ready-made, store-bought pesto. Be sure to use your favorite brand, as this single ingredient adds most of the flavor to this salad. If you’re in the Seattle area, I love Met Market’s pesto. If you have a nearby Costco, I think their pesto is delicious, too.
How to Serve Pea Salad
When serving this pesto salad, I sometimes add shaved Parmesan cheese or feta for color and flavor, but that is completely optional. If you have fresh herbs, like basil or mint, available, it’s delicious sprinkled on top.
How to Make Pea Salad
There is very little prep needed for this easy salad. Here are the simple steps:
- Cook frozen peas in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain and immerse in ice-cold water until cool.
- Add spinach to the salad bowl, and sprinkle with peas, chopped red onion, nuts, and cheese (if using).
- Toss the salad with pesto until evenly coated.
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Easy Spinach and Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen peas (or fresh peas)
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 4 tablespoons pesto
For Serving (optional)
- 2 tablespoons toasted nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans
- shredded Parmesan or feta
- basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the frozen peas in a sauce pan with salted boiling water for 1 minute. Immediately immerse the peas in ice cold water and let soak until cooled and then drain.
- Place spinach leaves in a salad bowl. Sprinkle with peas, chopped red onion, and chopped nuts and Parmesan (or feta) if using. Add the pesto and toss together until evenly coated.
- Serve with additional toasted nuts, cheese, and fresh herbs, like basil, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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