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Pea Salad

Pea salad is a creamy, tangy southern-style side dish with bright green peas, crispy bacon crumbles, and sharp cheddar cubes. This easy potluck salad is chilled for a full hour so the dressing clings to every forkful.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
chilling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Peas
  • 4 cup frozen peas Thawed completely; do not cook. Pat dry to remove excess moisture.
Bacon and cheese
  • 6 bacon Cooked and crumbled.
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese Cubed small.
Aromatics
  • 0.5 cup red onion Finely diced.
Creamy tangy dressing
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 0.25 salt To taste.
  • 0.25 black pepper To taste.

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 small bowl

Method
 

Thaw and prepare
  1. Thaw the frozen peas completely, then pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Combine the peas, crumbled bacon, cheddar cubes, and red onion in a large bowl.
Make the dressing
  1. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
Assemble and chill
  1. Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop, then stir and taste for seasoning before serving.

Notes

Pro tip: pat the thawed peas very dry so the salad stays creamy instead of watery. Refrigerate in a covered container for 3 to 4 days; freezing is not recommended due to texture changes. For a lighter option, swap light mayonnaise and use reduced-fat cheddar while keeping the rest the same.