This easy Creamy Pea Salad Recipe is one of our favorite side dishes. It combines sweet peas, crispy bacon, red onion, and cheddar cheese cubes in a creamy dressing. The slight crunch and saltiness from the bacon adds texture and flavor to this salad. This tasty salad comes together in less than ten minutes, and it is a favorite at family reunions, potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
The Best Ever Pea Salad Recipe
Looking for the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or picnic? This delicious pea salad recipe is sure to impress with its combination of fresh peas, bacon, and creamy dressing. Follow our step-by-step instructions for a crowd-pleasing and easy-to-make dish. This salad is a nice change from potato salad or pasta salad. The only thing you need to do in advance is to defrost the peas. You don’t have to cook them, as frozen peas are already blanched to kill any enzymes.
Pea Salad Ingredients
For the dressing, you need sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper for the dressing.
For the pea salad, you need frozen baby peas, red onion, cheddar cheese, and cooked bacon.
How to Make Pea Salad
Whisk together the mayo, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Next, add the thawed peas, red onion, cheddar cheese, and crisp bacon. Stir gently to combine. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe Tips
- Mix the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Substitute hard-boiled eggs for the bacon, or better yet, add them. I have found that the best way to hard-boil eggs is to steam them. The water should boil, and the steam should be present before adding the eggs. Steam 15 minutes for large eggs and plunge into ice-cold water.
- Use frozen peas for this recipe. Canned peas do not hold well. Frozen peas have already been blanched. All you need to do is thaw them for a salad. The easiest way to do this is in the fridge for about 24 hours, but if you have forgotten, use the shower option on the kitchen sink and spray the frozen peas with cool water in a colander, letting the excess water drain down the sink.
- Mix this pea salad up to 2 days in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Reserve cooking and add the bacon until ready to serve so it stays crisp.
Recipe variations
- Use shredded cheddar or a shredded cheese blend instead of the cubed cheese.
- Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- If you’re in a hurry, skip the dressing and add about 1/2 cup of your favorite ranch dressing.
- Add a little finely chopped red bell pepper or pimentos for extra color and flavor.
- Substitute finely chopped ham, turkey bacon, or Canadian bacon instead of the bacon.
- Add slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, or chopped walnuts for more texture and crunch.
- Try chopped fresh herbs like chives, dill, parsley, or mint.
Storage
This salad will stay fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If stored properly in the fridge, this dish can be prepared up to two days in advance. Reserve cooking and adding the bacon until right before serving. This will help ensure that the bacon stays crisp and tasty.
More Salad Recipes
Creamy Pea Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Pea Salad Dressing
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Pea Salad
- 16 ounces frozen sweet baby peas thawed
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese cut into very small cubes
- 6 slices bacon cooked crispy finely chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Add thawed peas, red onion, cheddar cheese and bacon; stirring gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use shredded cheddar cheese or a shredded cheese blend in place of the cubed cheese
- Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Substitute hard-boiled eggs for the bacon or better yet just add them. I have found that the best way to hard-boil eggs is to steam them. The water should be boiling and the steam should be present before adding the eggs. Steam 15 minutes for large eggs and plunge into ice cold water.
- Use frozen peas for this recipe. Canned peas do not hold well. They will become mushy in this salad.
- In a huge hurry? Skip the dressing and add about 1/2 cup of your favorite ranch dressing.
- For extra color and flavor add a little finely chopped red bell pepper or pimentos.
- Substitute finely chopped ham or Canadian bacon in place of the bacon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Chenee Landry
So good! I’m really excited to try this one this weekend at the family barbecue.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, enjoy!
Casey B
I had not had pea salad in forever. This one was so yummy! It is going on regular rotation at our house! The family loved it!
Cara
I love this recipe, It is a great spring recipe that is easy and tasty! I think I am going to include it on our Easter menu! Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Cara!
DK
This recipe was a life-saver for us! Our kids don’t like peas and we are always trying to find new ways for them to eat it. This recipe is one of the few ways our kids like to consume peas – thank goodness we found it!
Beth Pierce
That is awesome, DK! So glad that they kids enjoy it!
Andrea Ross
This is a light, refreshing and simple to make salad. It’s perfect for a springtime lunch or brunch.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Andrea!
Cara Campbell
This was so tasty – I loved the vinegar in the dressing. Balanced everything out.
Taylor
I made this pea salad for a get together over the weekend and it was delicious! Everyone was asking for the recipe!
Sara
This was everything a gourmet salad should be, and then some! Turned out light yet hearty and delicious; such a perfect balance of flavors and textures!
Vanessa
So yummy and simple to make!
Justine
I love this salad, it’s so creamy and fresh! It’s always one of the first things to go.
Melissa Cushing
This is the best pea salad. The whole family really enjoys this recipe. I have made it several times.
Tammy
Such a yummy and easy salad for picnics and cookouts! Everyone loved this…perfect salad rcipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tammy! So glad that they liked it!
Bedabrata Chakraborty
I am a big fan of salads and can have them anytime of the day. Your pea salad is so very soul satisfying. It could make a great brunch or dinner. I like my food little sweet so maybe I would add a dash of honey to the dressing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip!
Richelle Milar
This look so good! My husband would love this for sure! Can’t wait to try this awesome recipe!
May
I think the one with the bacon is a winner!
I don’t steam my eggs, though I’ve heard of that technique and maybe I should do that, too. At the moment, I boil them for 10 minutes and leave them to cool for another. Maybe I should start dunking them in iced water to make sure they’re not too soft when I take out their shell .
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the heads up. You really should try steaming them. I will not go back to boiling them after stemming them.
Stephanie
I’ve never had a pea salad before. I don’t think this is one I personally would like since I don’t like peas or bacon, but the rest of my family will enjoy it!
Krista french
I add honey roasted peanuts to mine and it’s so amazing
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip!
Lynndee
I love peas in my stew. I’ve never tried having a pea salad, though. It looks delish!
Catalina
Oh my goodness! This is my favorite dish and I made it again tonight! I love how easy it is to make!
Tasheena
This recipe looks really savory, looking forward to making this for my family.
Ave
My mom used to make a similar salad and it was really good. She always added chopped red bell peppers. They added some crunch and a pop of color.
Marysa
My friend made a dish like this for our last get together. I was wondering how to make it, and I’m glad I found your recipe.
Richelle Milar
Wow! That looks absolutely delicious and yummy! I would really love to try this recipe!
Crystal
Looks so good! In high school a friends mom would make something similar but hers had pasta in it, I absolutely loved it. Saving this to make soon!
crystal carder
I’ve never had pea salad, but it looks and sounds delicious!
Terri Steffes
I have had this before but had forgotten how good it is. Thanks for the reminder. Bookmarked!
Jo
How do you bookmark or save?
Tami R
Omg this looks so good! I love pea salad. 🙂
Tara Pittman
I am drooling over this photo.This is the best way to eat peas.
Samantha
This looks so good! Going to have to try this soon, we love peas!
Lynndee
I’ve never tried that before. Looks good! I love a good salad so I’m going to save your recipe for later.
Richelle Milar
That looks absolutely delicious and tasty I’m sure my kids would love this such a really great recipe that I’m going to try
Rose Ann Sales
Wow that looks like a really amazing recipe I’m surely going to try this out it looks delicious!
Lavanda Michelle
That looks absolutely delicious. I bet it’d be great with some bread on the side also. Thanks for sharing!
Monica Simpson
I’m the only one in my house who loves peas. This salad looks so good!
Eileen M Loya
Looks really delicious and super healthy too. I am going to make this for our post-Christmas dinner. I am going to need a break from all the sweets I’ve had these past few days. A healthy green pea salad is perfect!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I haven’t had a pea salad before. I didn’t even think about using them in one. That is different.
Amber Myers
I love peas, so I am sure I would be a fan of this salad. I’ll be trying it out for sure.
louraine wilmot
I love peas, the salad looks soooo good! Your menu is making me very hungry, cant wait to try the salad. Thanks for sharing.
Bauhinia
Wow it looks yummy and delicious! It could be my ChristBaumas dinner menu!
Thena Franssen
This looks like a great salad! My grandma used to make this all the time growing up and I love it.
Neely Moldovan
My daughter would love this! SHe is pea obsessed!
Danni Torr
I don’t eat pork but I’ve made this without the bacon and it still came out delicious. Even my very picky son gobbled it up and he doesn’t even like peas that much. The creamy dressing made all the difference!
Marysa
This looks like a great recipe. I had something similar a couple years ago and meant to try making it, but wasn’t quite sure how to put it together. Your recipe sounds wonderful.
Ntensibe Edgar
Hhhhhmmmm….this must be a truly great salad! And healthy, too. I want to give it a try soon enough.
Ebony Robinson
This recipe as outstanding! My family truly enjoyed it and wished I actually added more bacon! 🙂
Abida
Creamy pea salad is an old recipe to me. Since I have tried this already. However your content was also helpful. I appreciate it
Nicz Escat
That looks absolutely delicious! This is such a really amazing recipe! I’m surely gonna try this!
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! That was a really great recipe! I would really love to try it! I bet it taste so good!
Nicole Anderson
This looks like such a yummy salad to add to my list of go-to’s. It will be the only one that features peas which I think is great. I love the flexible options here for alteration and adding/switching things around to suit taste and guests. Can’t wait to give this a try.
Caroline
I love that it can stay fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator. This means one can make it earlier especially if it’s part of a busy day meal where more than one type of food has to be cooked.
Talya Stone
I love peas but have never thought of using them in a salad. What a great idea! Will have to try making this.
Sandy
I’ve made this 2x now…..using greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and paleo mayo. I used fresh garden peas, green onions instead of red and added a yellow bell pepper for color….fantastic!! Thanks for such and easy recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sandy! Thanks for all the great tips. What is paleo mayo?
Hannah
Could fresh from the garden peas be used?
Beth Pierce
Yes
sharon louise brebner
I put the peas in the salad frozen….they thaw while your sitting the table and then they have a little crunch to them
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip!
Marci
One of my all time favorite salads! My mom used to make it with canned peas, but now, I’m so glad that I discovered frozen peas! One new item everyone should try in their pea salad is chopped , smoked almonds, OMG, so good!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip Marci! Almond slivers would be good too! Get some of that good old fashioned crunch!
Elaine
I wondered what to make with a big batch of peas that I have now. This is it! Fantastic recipe and just what I have been looking for. Yum, too!
Monica
No doubt about it, peas and bacon are a match made in heaven! Thanks for the great tip about quickly defrosting peas, too – super helpful, since I’ve almost never thought to defrost them well in advance of dinner!
Abigail Raines
Love that it takes just mere minutes to make this and what comes out is a tasty, mouth-watering salad!
Anita
Such an easy and delicious way to enjoy frozen peas. Now I must ensure I always have some frozen peas at home to quickly whip up this salad.
Bhawana
pea salad looks fantastic. I love making it at home in a small gatherings. Looking so creamy and delicious.