Description
A creamy, crunchy, and flavorful Classic Pea Salad made with sweet peas, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and family gatherings, this easy, no-cook side dish is ready in just 10 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup crispy bacon bits
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Optional Additions & Variations:
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ¼ cup diced ham
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- ½ tsp garlic powder or ranch seasoning
- Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo for a lighter version
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Peas
- If using frozen peas, place them in a colander and rinse under cold water until thawed. Drain well to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine thawed peas, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and red onion.
- Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently fold everything together until well coated.
Step 4: Chill the Salad
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Step 5: Serve & Garnish
- Stir the salad before serving. Garnish with extra bacon bits, cheese, or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
✔ For best texture, use fresh or high-quality frozen peas and avoid canned peas.
✔ Let the salad chill before serving to enhance the flavor.
✔ Crispy bacon is key – make sure it’s well-cooked for the perfect crunch.
✔ Adjust the seasoning to your taste—add more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for extra tang.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg