Name: Tangy Vegetarian Pea Salad
Ingredients: Frozen Sweet Peas (32 ounces / 900g): The star of the show. Using frozen peas is often better than fresh for this salad, as they are flash-frozen at their peak of sweetness and freshness. There’s no need to cook them; simply thaw them to maintain their vibrant color and satisfying pop.; Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 ounces / 225g): It’s essential to use a block of good-quality sharp cheddar and cube it yourself. The cubes provide wonderful, chewy bites of flavor that stand up to the creamy dressing, an experience pre-shredded cheese can’t replicate.; Red Onion (1 medium): This provides a crucial, zesty crunch and a beautiful purple hue. Finely dicing the red onion ensures its sharp flavor is evenly distributed throughout the salad without being overpowering in any single bite.; Mayonnaise (¾ cup / 170g): This forms the rich and creamy base of our dressing. Use a high-quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture. It’s the foundation of the salad’s classic, comforting creaminess.; Plain Greek Yogurt (¼ cup / 60g): This is the secret weapon for tang. Greek yogurt lightens up the dressing, adds a pleasant, zesty kick that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise, and contributes a boost of protein.; Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tablespoon): A small amount of this vinegar brightens all the flavors and reinforces the dressing’s signature tanginess, making the entire salad taste fresh and lively.; Granulated Sugar (1 teaspoon): Just a hint of sugar is needed to balance the acidity of the vinegar and the tang from the yogurt. It enhances the natural sweetness of the peas without making the salad overly sweet.; Salt (¾ teaspoon): An essential flavor enhancer that brings all the individual components of the salad together, making the sweet, tangy, and savory notes pop.; Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle, earthy spice that complements the creaminess of the dressing and the sweetness of the peas perfectly.

Ingredients

Frozen Sweet Peas (32 ounces / 900g): The star of the show. Using frozen peas is often better than fresh for this salad, as they are flash-frozen at their peak of sweetness and freshness. There’s no need to cook them; simply thaw them to maintain their vibrant color and satisfying pop.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 ounces / 225g): It’s essential to use a block of good-quality sharp cheddar and cube it yourself. The cubes provide wonderful, chewy bites of flavor that stand up to the creamy dressing, an experience pre-shredded cheese can’t replicate.
Red Onion (1 medium): This provides a crucial, zesty crunch and a beautiful purple hue. Finely dicing the red onion ensures its sharp flavor is evenly distributed throughout the salad without being overpowering in any single bite.
Mayonnaise (¾ cup / 170g): This forms the rich and creamy base of our dressing. Use a high-quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture. It’s the foundation of the salad’s classic, comforting creaminess.
Plain Greek Yogurt (¼ cup / 60g): This is the secret weapon for tang. Greek yogurt lightens up the dressing, adds a pleasant, zesty kick that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise, and contributes a boost of protein.
Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tablespoon): A small amount of this vinegar brightens all the flavors and reinforces the dressing’s signature tanginess, making the entire salad taste fresh and lively.
Granulated Sugar (1 teaspoon): Just a hint of sugar is needed to balance the acidity of the vinegar and the tang from the yogurt. It enhances the natural sweetness of the peas without making the salad overly sweet.
Salt (¾ teaspoon): An essential flavor enhancer that brings all the individual components of the salad together, making the sweet, tangy, and savory notes pop.
Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle, earthy spice that complements the creaminess of the dressing and the sweetness of the peas perfectly.

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Instructions

Prepare the Peas: The first and most crucial step is to properly prepare your peas. Place the 32 ounces of frozen peas into a large colander. Rinse them under cold running water for a minute or two. This will help them thaw quickly and evenly. Shake the colander well to remove as much excess water as possible, then set it aside to drain completely while you prepare the other ingredients. It’s vital that the peas are well-drained to prevent a watery salad. Do not cook the peas; their raw, crisp texture is what makes this salad special.
Chop the Add-Ins: While the peas are draining, prepare your cheese and onion. Take your 8-ounce block of sharp cheddar cheese and cut it into small, uniform cubes, about ¼ to ½ inch in size. Cubing the cheese instead of shredding it provides satisfying, flavorful bursts in every spoonful. Next, take your medium red onion, peel it, and finely dice it. The goal is to have very small pieces that will distribute evenly, providing a consistent, mild crunch and zesty flavor without overwhelming the palate.
Whisk the Tangy Dressing: In a small or medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Add the ¾ cup of mayonnaise, ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and uniform in consistency. This step is important to do separately to ensure the sugar and salt are fully dissolved and the flavors are perfectly blended before being introduced to the main ingredients.
Combine All Components: In a large serving bowl, add the thawed and well-drained peas, the cubed cheddar cheese, and the finely diced red onion. Pour the prepared tangy dressing over the top of the ingredients in the bowl.
Gently Fold and Mix: Using a rubber spatula or a large spoon, gently fold all the ingredients together. Use a scooping motion from the bottom up to ensure everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Be careful not to stir too aggressively, as this can mash the peas and cheese. Continue folding until the peas, cheese, and onion are all beautifully enveloped in the creamy, tangy dressing.
Chill for Flavor Fusion: This final step is non-negotiable for the best flavor. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours. A longer chilling time of four hours, or even overnight, is even better. This chilling period allows the distinct flavors of the onion, cheese, peas, and tangy dressing to meld together into a cohesive and incredibly delicious whole. The salad’s taste improves significantly after this resting period. Just before serving, give it one last gentle stir.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 380
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 12g