Pea salad is a classic cook out side dish that is easy to make. This cold side is also less common, so will stand out on the picnic table among all the potato and pasta salads.
Pea Salad
Sweet peas are one of my mom’s favorite vegetables. She loves peas in her macaroni salad, but I thought I’d make a batch of creamy green pea salad with bacon in honor of her rather than her old stand by.
It is loaded with plenty of green peas along with sharp cheddar cheese and red onion in a creamy dressing.
Pea Salad Recipe with Mayo
I made this pea salad with frozen peas and a simple mayonnaise based dressing.
Rather than bacon bits crispy fresh cooked bacon is chopped for the cold pea salad. I think it really steps the salad up a notch.
Cubed cheddar is also used rather than shredded cheese, as I feel it stands up better when the salad is out for a while at a picnic or cookout.
Some add chopped hard boiled eggs to their version of the salad. While I don’t, it is a tasty addition.
Green Pea Salad with Bacon, serving
The green pea salad makes a fantastic side dish to serve with grilled meats, sandwiches or even hot dogs and hamburgers. Of course, you could also enjoy this as a light lunch if you like. It is pretty hearty.
Try teaming this cold side dish with my Blackened Salmon or Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs in Turmeric Greek Yogurt Marinade. The creamy pea salad will cool the palate while eating these spicy dishes.
How to Make Pea Salad
This cold salad side dish is easy to make. Here I’ll show you how. Printable Recipe Card is below.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Frozen Peas thawed
- 10 slices cooked Bacon
- 1/2 Red Onion
- 8 oz Cheddar Cheese
Pea Salad Mayonnaise Dressing
- 3 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Sugar
Preparation
Place the thawed frozen peas in large bowl.
Chop the bacon into bite sized pieces and add to the bowl.
Dice the red onion and add to the bowl.
Cut the cheddar cheese into quarter inch cubes and also add to the bowl.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients, then gently fold into the larger bowl of ingredients until the pea salad is well coated. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Frozen Peas thawed
- 10 slices cooked Bacon
- 1/2 Red Onion
- 8 oz Cheddar Cheese
Pea Salad Mayonnaise Dressing
- 3 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Sugar
Instructions
- Place the thawed frozen peas in large bowl.
- Chop the bacon into bite sized pieces and add to the bowl.
- Dice the red onion and add to the bowl.
- Cut the cheddar cheese into quarter inch cubes and also add to the bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients, then gently fold into the larger bowl of ingredients until the pea salad is well coated. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
Nutrition
Jennifer says
I have a friend who loves peas and I bet this salad would be great for her.
Lisa says
This salad looks like it would be great for picnics and barbecues — that creamy dressing sounds pretty easy to make too!
Sherri says
This is such a lovely idea! I absolutely adore peas as well and I never thought to make a pea salad before. Such a perfect side for spring and summer!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
A classic salad, and classic for a reason! This is such a great side and I can’t wait to try your version, it looks and sounds delicious!
Michal says
Looka just wonderful! I like peas so much and this looks delicious
Carla Jo Peterson says
I love canned peas (the small ones) and that is what we have always used in this recipe. The salad is delicious with canned peas.
Robin Gagnon says
Thanks for the input. I can see how the small ones would work well in this. The big ones are too mushy, but the petite ones like Le Sueur, tend to be nice.
With stock shortages in many areas now alternative ingredient info is more important than ever. Thanks