This recipe for pea salad has stood the test of time, for good reason!
The ingredients are often already on hand, it comes together in a minute, and everyone loves it! This green pea salad is loaded with sweet peas, bacon, and cheese all folded in a tangy and creamy dressing. This summertime favorite recipe will make any meal complete. It’s healthy, filling, and great for prepping in advance because it always tastes better the next day!
![This pea salad recipe is a colorful side dish that is healthy, delicious, and always welcome at picnics and potlucks. Frozen peas are combined in a creamy dressing with cheddar cheese and bacon. It only takes minutes to make! All kinds of ingredients go great in green pea salad. Try it with pasta, sweet corn, snap beans, cold chicken, or black eye peas. Toss in some celery and onion for extra crunch! #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy Pea Salad with cheese on top](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-6.jpg)
What is Pea Salad?
- Green pea salad is colorful, crunchy, and perfect for picnics and potlucks! Simple enough for a casual meal but elegant enough to add to an Easter or Thanksgiving table!
- Pea salad is so different and a welcome departure from salads made with leafy greens and like most vegetable-based salads, it’s more filling, nutritious, easy to transport, and holds up well on buffet tables.
- Budget-friendly pea salad is great for bigger families and large gatherings, especially if cooked and cooled macaroni, bowtie pasta, or orzo is added in.
![This sweet and creamy green pea salad is an easy side dish that’s ready in minutes, and holds up well in the refrigerator. It’s perfect to make ahead for a barbecue or party. Frozen green peas, cheddar cheese cubes, and crumbled bacon are mixed together in a mayo and sour cream dressing seasoned with vinegar and dill. This recipe for pea salad is a nice change of pace from leafy greens, and made with simple pantry staples! #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy sour cream , mayonnaise , vinegar , bacon , onion , peas , cheese , and seasonings with labels to make Pea Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IG-Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-.jpg)
What Goes in Pea Salad?
Peas: Most frozen and canned peas are English peas with a sweet flavor, bright green color, and uniform size. Snap peas are best kept in their pods and used in stir-fry dishes because of the time it takes to trim and peel them. But if using fresh peas from the garden, shell them and boil them in water for about 5-8 minutes, then drain them in ice water to stop the cooking process and retain their bright green color. A small can of black-eyed peas or corn kernels can be drained and added for extra color!
Dressing: Pea salad dressing is creamy and tart. Miracle whip can be used instead of the mayonnaise, and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream offers a lighter texture. In a pinch for time? Replace the dressing entirely with Ranch dressing.
Add-Ins: Bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and red onion add layers of flavor to Pea salad. Diced ham, cooked, shredded chicken, or bay shrimp can replace the bacon, and feta or blue cheese crumbles are excellent options in place of the cheddar. Add some crunchy walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds, if desired. Even hard-boiled eggs can be used as a garnish (sliced over the top) or chopped and added to the salad.
![This creamy recipe for pea salad is a summertime favorite! Sweet green peas are combined with crumbled bacon and cubed cheddar cheese in a rich sour cream and mayo dressing. Dress it up, or dress it down! Add some cold chopped chicken or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein, and serve it as a cold entree! Use up those leftovers in green pea salad! Macaroni, sweet corn, or snap beans all taste great in this vibrant dish! #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy adding ingredients to peas to make Pea Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![This easy recipe for pea salad is a reliable favorite that only takes minutes to make! Frozen peas are combined with cubed cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles in a creamy mayo and sour cream dressing. Use any of your favorite salad add-ins to bulk it up. Chicken, sweet corn, black eye peas, or macaroni are some options. Toss in some celery and onion for extra crunch! It's colorful and healthy. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy adding seasonings to ingredients to make Pea Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-3.jpg)
How to Make Pea Salad
- Place peas, cheese, and vinegar in a bowl (as described in the recipe below).
- Mix in the remaining ingredients and toss.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
![A reliable favorite side dish is this recipe for pea salad. Best of all, it is always welcome at any picnic or barbecue. Sweet green peas are combined with crumbled bacon and cubed cheddar cheese in a creamy dressing made with sour cream and mayo. Add some cold chopped chicken or hard-boiled eggs for extra protein, and call it an entree! Or, mix in leftovers on hand. It tastes great with macaroni, sweet corn, or snap beans. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy close up of Pea Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-5.jpg)
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Pea Salad
- Thaw frozen peas by placing them in a colander and running cold water over them, or put them in a bowl in the refrigerator. They do not need to be cooked since they are blanched before freezing.
- This recipe tastes best when the peas are cold, otherwise, chill the salad before serving.
- Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, and salt and pepper together first so it’s easier to mix into the salad in Step 2.
Storing Pea Salad
Keep leftover pea salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
![Give your next picnic some pizzazz with this colorful and healthy recipe for pea salad. Fresh or frozen peas combine with cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles in a tangy and creamy dressing made with mayo and sour cream. Anything goes when it comes to green pea salad, so toss in pasta, chicken, sweet corn, or whatever is on hand! Make it ahead and it will be even better the next day! #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy taking a spoonfull of Pea Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-7.jpg)
Other Tasty Veggie Salads!
![Pea Salad with cheese on top](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-6-500x500.jpg)
Pea Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen peas defrosted (2 pounds, approximately 6½ cups)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese cut into ¼-½ inch cubes
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup bacon bits *
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
Instructions
- To a large mixing bowl, add peas, cheese, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add onion, bacon bits, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Toss together until well combined. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
- * or approximately ½ pound bacon cooked and crumbled.
- Thaw frozen peas in a colander under cold running water, or in the refrigerator.
- Tastes best served chilled.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Make this recipe for pea salad when a delicious side dish is called for! Because it uses frozen peas, and other simple ingredients it’s great to throw together at the last minute! This classic pea salad is loaded with flavor from bacon, and cheddar cheese, all folded together in a creamy dressing. Add chicken, sweet corn, snap beans, or other favorites. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy plating Pea Salad with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SP-Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![This easy recipe for pea salad is made from basic ingredients that everybody loves! Frozen green peas, cheddar cheese cubes, and crumbled bacon are mixed together in a mayo and sour cream dressing seasoned with dill weed. The fresh creamy flavor of green pea salad is the perfect accompaniment to barbecued meats. Add pasta, hard-boiled eggs, sweet corn, or even chicken. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy close up of Pea Salad in a bowl with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SP-Pea-Salad-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Any picnic will be complete with this tasty recipe for pea salad. Fresh or frozen peas are mixed with cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles in a tangy and creamy dressing made with mayo and sour cream. Toss in pasta, chicken, sweet corn, or whatever is on hand. Anything goes in this green pea salad and it holds up well when made ahead of time too. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy close up of Pea Salad on a spoon with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NP-Pea-Salad-OZL-2.jpg)
![This recipe for pea salad is so easy to make and is the perfect summertime dish that is healthy, delicious, and filling. Frozen peas are combined in a creamy dressing with cheddar cheese and bacon. The great thing about a green pea salad is that it will accommodate just about any add-ins. Try it with some macaroni, sweet corn, snap beans, cold chicken, or black eye peas. It’s a very versatile, flexible recipe! #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy plated Pea Salad with cheese and writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NP-Pea-Salad-OZL-1.jpg)
![A favorite cold salad is made with this classic recipe for pea salad. Healthy, delicious, and filling green pea salad is the perfect side dish to take along to a picnic or potluck. Frozen peas are combined with crumbled bacon and cubed cheddar in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise and sour cream. It's a versatile salad that will accept most add-ins. Try it with macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, black eye peas, or snap beans. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy Pea Salad on a plate and in a bowl with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LP-Pea-Salad-OZL-1-.jpg)
![This classic recipe for pea salad makes a delicious side dish to take to a picnic or bbq! It’s made with frozen peas, and other simple ingredients and comes together in only minutes with minimal prepping. Green peas are all folded together in a creamy dressing with crumbled bacon and cubes of cheddar cheese. Vary the ingredients taste or diet. It’s delicious with chicken, sweet corn, snap beans, macaroni, or other add-ins. #recipeforpeasalad #ourzestylife #greenpeasalad #peasaladrecipeseasy plating Pea Salad with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LP-Pea-Salad-OZL-2.jpg)