MediterraneanEasy · Cold
Sesame Snap Pea and Mint Salad with Lemon Olive Oil
A bright, crunchy salad celebrating snap peas at their peak with fragrant mint and a silky lemon-olive-oil dressing kissed with toasted sesame.
Prep
10 min
Cook
5 min
Total
15 min
Method
1
Add sesame seeds to a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast 2–3 minutes, swirling often, until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside to cool.
2
In a small bowl, grate the garlic clove finely. Squeeze 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice into the bowl. Add salt and black pepper, then whisk in the olive oil until fully emulsified into a smooth, glossy dressing.
3
Trim the tough strings from the snap peas if present. Pat snap peas dry with a paper towel. Place snap peas in a large mixing bowl.
4
5
Tear fresh mint leaves roughly by hand and scatter over the dressed snap peas. Toss once more gently to integrate.
6
Transfer the dressed snap pea and mint mixture to a serving platter or shallow bowl. Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds evenly across the top. Serve immediately.
B
Nutri-Score
Good balance
A–E · lower is better · score 0
Calories
262
per serving
Source of fibre · 4gLow sugar · 4g
Protein
4g
Carbs
12g
Fat
24g
Sat. fat
3g
Fiber
4g
Sugar
4g
Sodium
398mg
Dairy FreeGluten FreeVeganWhole30Anti InflammatoryDiabetesHeart HealthyLow CarbHealthy FatLow CaloriePlant Forward
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
B
Environmental impact
Low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.2
per serving
BCarbonAEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.9m³
Land
22Pt
Runoff
0.03g P
Olive Oil drives 62% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
6
Umami
3
Sweet
5
Salty
2
Sour
1
Bitter
4
Spicy
Textures
CrispSilkyTender
Aromas
CitrusHerbalNutty
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
SkilletSafety & Storage
Allergen Warning
Sesame is a major allergen present in this recipe from sesame seeds. Inform guests of sesame content before serving.
Handling
When toasting sesame seeds, use low-medium heat and keep seeds moving by swirling the skillet. Seeds can burn quickly and may splatter.
Storage
Store toasted sesame seeds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep unused fresh mint wrapped in damp paper towels in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Cross Contamination
If preparing for individuals with sesame allergies, use dedicated equipment and prepare in a clean area separate from other allergen-containing foods.
High Risk Population
Sesame allergies can cause severe reactions including anaphylaxis. Individuals with sesame allergies should avoid this dish entirely.
Shelf Life
Serve salad immediately after assembly. Prepared snap peas should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Pro Tips
Technique
Toast your sesame seeds with patience — a dry skillet over medium heat, swirling constantly, until they turn a deep golden and release their fragrance. This moment takes only two minutes, but those two minutes transform them from raw to revelatory.
Substitution
If fresh mint is not available, fresh basil makes a beautiful substitute — though I confess, mint belongs here as naturally as lemon belongs in a Lebanese kitchen.
From the chef
In Beirut, we would call this a fattoush without the bread — a celebration of what is freshest that day, what crunches between your teeth with life. Snap peas at their peak need nothing more than bright lemon, good olive oil, and the whisper of toasted sesame. The mint is not decoration; it is the breeze that makes the whole plate breathe.
TagsFreshVegetarianVeganGluten FreeQuickNo CookColdHerbaceousNuttyAcidicCitrusRawSummer
AllergensSesame
Source: generated · June 13, 2026