Mardi Gras Salad
A vibrant, crunchy salad featuring peas, corn, red cabbage, onion, and celery, perfect for festive gatherings and offering a tangy, colorful flavor profile.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put 1/3 cup water in a 1-quart pan and bring to a boil.
- Add the frozen peas, cover, and turn off the heat. Leave on the burner while chopping the other vegetables.
- Drain the canned corn.
- Chop the red cabbage, onion, and celery.
- In a large bowl, combine the peas, corn, red cabbage, onion, and celery.
- In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vibrant twist, consider adding diced bell peppers or shredded carrots for extra crunch. If you prefer a lighter dressing, swap the oil for Greek yogurt to create a creamy vinaigrette. This Mardi Gras Salad can also incorporate fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Mardi Gras Salad is perfect as a side dish for grilled meats or as a refreshing appetizer. Pair it with American recipes like Country Ribs And Kraut for a festive meal. It also complements a light sandwich or can be served as a main dish for a light lunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld even more as it sits. To reheat, gently warm it in the microwave, but be aware that the peas may lose some of their texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mardi Gras Salad contains roughly 916 calories, with 6g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 82g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (18% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (13% of the Daily Value), and protein (12% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1491mg per serving (65% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh peas can be used in this salad for a different texture and flavor. Just blanch them briefly in boiling water before adding to the salad.
How can I make this salad vegan?
This recipe is already vegan-friendly, but ensure that the vinegar you choose is free from animal products. You can also add more vegetables for variety.
What can I add for extra protein?
To boost the protein content, consider adding chickpeas or diced tofu. These additions will make the salad more filling while keeping it healthy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).