Best Classic Pea Salad
Classic Creamy Pea Salad is an irresistible comfort food side dish for any occasion. Sweet peas, bacon, cheese, and onion tossed in a vibrant creamy dressing make this sweet and savory salad recipe a fantastic choice for cookouts, potlucks, and holiday buffets.
My easy Tomato Cucumber Salad, Deviled Egg Pasta Salad, and Spaghetti Salad are go-to recipes for easy family meals!
It’s no secret that I love classic recipes. Lately, I’ve been making skillet fried corn, creamy pimento cheese, and Southern ambrosia Salad. My family loves these traditional dishes, but there’s one that I recall with such fondness that it’s hard for me to forget.
This is where my Classic Green Pea Salad comes in. I can’t tell you all the good memories of Sunday lunches and covered dish suppers where this salad was served. Now, when I serve this cool salad, I spoon up a big helping, just like I did when I was a kid, and savor every single bite.
What Is Pea Salad?
- Served cold, this salad is made with simple ingredients elevated by a sweet, zesty, and creamy dressing.
- This salad is ready to go in one dish and is perfect for making ahead of time! Just pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy it.
- It’s a traditional holiday side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations, and one you’ve got to make for any family gathering.
Ingredients Details
- Frozen Green Peas – use high-quality peas, thawed and drained. I like to use English peas that you can easily find in the grocery store.
- Bacon – cooked, and chopped.
- Cheddar Cheese – purchase by the block and cube yourself to prevent the caking agent found in bagged, pre-shredded cheese.
- Red Onion – adds a nice kick of flavor without being spicy.
- Mayonnaise – the creaminess added by mayo is one-of-a-kind.
- Sour Cream – added for extra flavor and texture.
- White Vinegar – balances out the flavors, but I wouldn’t use apple cider vinegar as its flavor profile is too strong.
- Sugar – provides a sweet kick without being too overpowering.
- Salt and Pepper
Variations And Additions
- Sliced water chestnuts add a satisfying crunch and toasted pecans can be added for additional texture and nutty flavor. Mix them into the salad just before serving to maintain their crunchiness.Â
- For a little extra protein, try adding in chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- This salad is delicious with jarred pimento peppers for color and sweetness.
- Feel free to experiment with ranch dressing or green goddess dressing.
How To Make My Homemade Pea Salad Recipe
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, pepper, and vinegar to a small bowl.
- Whisk together the ingredients to make the dressing.
- Add the thawed peas, cheese, cooked bacon, and red onion to a bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad, toss, then chill until ready to serve.
Donya’s Success Tips
- Choose high-quality ingredients: Because this salad is so simple, use the best ingredients possible.
- Thaw and drain the peas: If you’re using frozen peas, thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture from watering down the salad.
- Cook bacon to perfection: Cook it until it’s just crisp before chopping and adding it to the salad.
- Allow time for flavors to meld: For the best flavor for this simple salad, let the pea salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, allowing the ingredients to combine and develop fully.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, you can use canned peas, but drain them well before adding them to the salad. However, frozen peas generally have a better texture and a sweeter taste.
Absolutely! In fact, making the salad ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together. Just cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.
Yes, you can substitute bacon with other proteins, such as chopped ham, turkey bacon, or even roasted nuts, for a vegetarian option.
Classic pea salad typically uses cheddar cheese, but can use Monterey Jack, Colby, or crumbled feta for a tangy bite.
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just give it a good stir before serving to mix in the dressing that will have settled in the bottom of the container.
Serving Ideas
Chilled Pea Salad is the perfect summer side served with grilled BBQ chicken, or flank steak. For the holidays, with brown sugar mustard baked ham or roasted turkey and scalloped potatoes, it’s an ideal make-ahead dish.
More Easy Salad Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Easy Classic Pea Salad Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Sweet peas, bacon, cheese, and onion, tossed in a vibrant creamy dressing, this sweet and savory salad recipe is a fantastic choice for cookouts, potlucks, and holiday buffets.
Video
Notes
-
Green Pea Salad will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving to mix in the dressing that will have settled in the bottom of the container.
Â
Nutritional values provided are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 0.2mg
