Print

Irish Pea Salad Recipe

Irish Pea Salad Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 18 reviews

A refreshing and colorful Irish Pea Salad featuring tender peas, sweet onions, vibrant mini sweet peppers, hard-cooked eggs, and shredded Irish cheese, all tossed in a creamy and tangy dressing made with light mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet pickle relish, and fresh herbs. This salad is perfect as a side dish for picnics, barbecues, or any casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

  • 1 20-oz. package frozen peas
  • 1 cup chopped sweet onion
  • 2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
  • 2 – 4 mini sweet peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup shredded Irish cheese (such as Dubliner or aged cheddar)

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or other plain yogurt)
  • 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
  • About 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped mixed fresh tarragon, thyme, and basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Thaw the Peas: Pour the frozen peas into a large mixing bowl and add cool water to thaw them. Stir a few times while preparing the other ingredients to break up any frozen chunks.
  2. Soak the Onion: In a separate smaller bowl, soak the chopped sweet onion in water for 15 minutes. This helps to mellow the onion’s flavor. After soaking, drain very well in a strainer.
  3. Drain and Dry: Drain the peas thoroughly after thawing and dry out the large mixing bowl by wiping it with a clean towel to avoid extra liquid in the salad.
  4. Combine Salad Ingredients: Return the drained peas and onions to the dry mixing bowl and add chopped hard-cooked eggs, mini sweet peppers, and shredded Irish cheese. Toss gently to mix all the salad ingredients evenly.
  5. Make the Dressing: Using the smaller bowl previously used for soaking onions, stir together light mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, sweet pickle relish, sugar, salt, spicy brown mustard, and finely chopped fresh tarragon, thyme, and basil until smooth and well combined.
  6. Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently fold it in until all vegetables and eggs are coated evenly with the dressing.
  7. Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a delicious side dish.

Notes

  • Soaking the sweet onion helps reduce its sharpness and creates a milder flavor in the salad.
  • Use freshly chopped herbs for the best flavor; dried herbs will not give the same bright taste.
  • If preferred, substitute aged cheddar cheese for the Irish cheese to maintain a similar flavor profile.
  • This salad holds well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute the cheese and yogurt with suitable non-dairy alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish Pea Salad, Pea Salad, Irish Cheese Salad, Summer Salad, Side Dish, No Cook Salad

Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/irish-pea-salad-recipe/