This creamy Pea Salad is an easy, cold salad recipe packed with savory flavor and a satisfying crunch. It makes a perfect side dish for dinner or any party, delighting guests with its refreshing taste and simple preparation!
The BEST Green Pea Salad Recipe
This creative and delicious salad is a great rendition of a classic potato salad. The pops of fresh, sweet flavor of the peas balance the rich and creamy dressing, salty bacon, and sharp cheese. It has a lovely variety of textures, too! My favorite part about this recipe is that my kiddos like it. They like to top their portion with more crumbled bacon and a sprinkle of cheese, but they often ask for seconds. If you want to get a little more veggies into your kids’ tummies, give this creamy pea salad a try.
Why You’ll Love This Pea Salad
- It’s easy to make. Most of this recipe involves mixing the ingredients. It only takes a few minutes to put it together and then the refrigerator does the work to ensure the flavors meld together.
- There’s no cooking required. This is the perfect cold salad. Some of the ingredients (like the bacon) require prior cooking but this recipe works great with leftover cooked bacon, too. I love making this in the summer when it’s too hot to turn on the oven.
- It’s a cheap recipe. Pea salad is very budget-friendly. The ingredients are affordable even on a tight budget and many of them are staples you may have in your kitchen already.
What You’ll Need
Below are the ingredients needed to make the creamy dressing as well as the salad itself. They are common items that you can find at any grocery store. Take a look at the recipe card for exact measurements and more information.
For the dressing
- Sour cream: The tangy flavor of the sour cream perfectly balances the savory elements like the bacon and cheese. It also adds richness and a creamy texture to the dressing.
- Mayonnaise: I love a combination of mayo with sour cream. It adds plenty of fat and flavor and it takes on flavors of other ingredients so well, too.
- Sugar: A little bit of sweetness creates the perfect balance. The peas are a little sweet but it gets lost with the other bold flavors. Sugar brings out the flavor of the peas.
- Vinegar: I use some white vinegar for acidity and brightness. It lifts the flavors of the salad.
- Salt and pepper: With the other strong flavors, it makes sense to keep the seasoning simple. A little salt and pepper add the perfect amount of flavor while enhancing the other ingredients.
For the salad
- Peas: You can’t have a pea salad without green peas! I thaw frozen peas for this because they are previously cooked and ready to eat.
- Bacon: Chop leftover cooked bacon, cook it fresh, or even use bacon bits. This will depend on your preference and whether or not you want larger pieces in the pea salad.
- Cheese: I use shredded sharp cheddar cheese for its flavor. It’s my favorite variety for this recipe. You may use another kind like feta cheese for extra tang, or try mozzarella or a fiesta blend for a milder flavor or parmesan for a stronger flavor.
- Onion: I love the bite of fresh red onion. It’s sharp and crunchy and I like the flavor and texture it adds. Try sweet yellow onion for a milder flavor if you prefer.
How to Make Pea Salad With Bacon
Here are the steps needed to make this sweet pea salad recipe. I recommend ensuring that your bacon and onion are chopped and the dressing ingredients are measured before you start. This will make the process faster and easier!
- Make the dressing. Add the mayo, sour cream, sugar, vinegar, and spices to a small mixing bowl. Whisk until they are well combined.
- Combine the salad ingredients. Stir the peas, bacon, cheese, and onion in a separate larger bowl until well-mixed.
- Mix it all together. Pour the dressing over the peas salad and toss it gently to coat all of the ingredients.
- Chill and serve. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2-3 hours. Enjoy as a BBQ side dish or take to a potluck dinner, however you like!
Tips for Success
- Make it ahead. Since this salad is best after it’s had time in the refrigerator, it’s the perfect make-ahead recipe. Prepare the creamy pea salad and store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.
- Drain the peas. The frozen peas give off excess moisture as they thaw. Pour the bag of peas into a colander and allow any excess water to drain so the salad doesn’t become watery or thin. You can also use canned peas, drain them as well.
- Try it with green beans. This recipe is easy to customize. Try making it with another green veggie to create a completely new flavor profile. One of my favorites for this is green beans. They have great texture and taste yummy when cold.
Proper Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This is a cold salad so there’s no need to reheat it. I also do not recommend freezing it as it will have a watery texture when thawed.
More Creamy Salad Recipes to Try
Pea Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salad
- 4 cups frozen sweet peas thawed
- 12 strips bacon cooked until crisp then finely chopped or crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 a medium red onion peeled and diced
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the salad dressing ingredients. Cover and refrigerate while you move on to the next steps.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peas, cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced red onion.
- Pour the salad dressing over the salad in ingredients in the large bowl; toss well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Video
Nutrition
Leave a Review!
We LOVE hearing from you! Submit your question or comment here.
Your email address will not be published.
78 comments on “Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon”
It was perfect! Instead of shredding the cheese I made really small cubes of sharp cheddar!!Next time I will use broccoli…
Thank you Nancy!
Everyone loved it, even those who didn’t like peas
Glad to hear that! Thanks Lori!
Delicious !!!!
Thanks Clara!
I added 1/4 cup more of mayo and another tablespoon of sugar.
I’m so happy I found this recipe. When I’m on a roll, I’ll make it twice within a week and never have to throw any out!
So glad you like it Mary!
This pea salad has turned into my go to for pot lucks(everyone loves it)
Glad to hear that Lee!
I love this, and I hate peas, lol. I have made it for decades with frozen peas, and it is SO refreshing on a hot summer’s day!
So glad you loved it Jan!
love the pea salad
Thanks Millen!
I have loved this pea salad ever since my Mother made a version many years ago. I prefer your shredded cheese better than her diced.
Thank you Judi!
This was delicious. Made it for friends and they loved it.
Glad to hear they loved it Jeanie!
This has become one of our favorite salads to have whenever our kids come for dinner with the grandkids. I always double the recipe, because one helping is never enough for anyone & they always ask me to make it since the first time they had it here.
That’s great Marcia. Thank you!
This is so very good! Somethings don’t need additional ingredients. This one is just perfect!!!
Thanks CJ!
I usually double the dressing and leave the sugar out. You can’t taste the difference without the sugar. This last time I used red wine vinegar and I love the flavor of that with it.
Every time I make it people love it and they want the recipe. It’s my husband and both sons favorite. Our grandson is going through a picky phase and he loves it.
Thanks for sharing Diane!
So Good!!!