This pea salad recipe is creamy, cheesy, and finished with crispy bacon — a classic side dish ideal for potlucks, BBQs, or a quick flavorful accompaniment to dinner. It comes together in minutes and delivers big, familiar flavor.
This salad is perfect for holidays and gatherings — Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. English pea salad is simple yet addictive: a short list of ingredients that somehow always ends up on potluck tables and church spreads.
Serve it alongside grilled burgers, fresh tomato and cucumber salads, or a gooey dessert for a crowd-pleasing meal. It’s easy to make and easy to love.
Ingredients for Pea Salad
- Mayonnaise — provides a creamy, rich base that binds the salad.
- Sour Cream — adds tang and smooth texture.
- Cheddar Cheese — cubed sharp cheddar gives bold flavor and bite.
- Red Onion — small diced red onion for mild crunch and subtle sweetness.
- Sugar — balances the tang of the dressing and enhances the peas’ natural sweetness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar — brightens the creamy dressing.
- Salt — to taste.
- Bacon — crispy crumbled bacon adds smoky, savory crunch.
- Frozen Peas — sweet, tender peas form the heart of the salad (slightly defrosted, not cooked).
Tips for Making English Pea Salad
- Use slightly defrosted frozen sweet peas — not fully thawed or cooked. They should retain a touch of crunch when added to the salad for the best texture.
- Dice the red onion finely so it’s easy to eat. If raw onion is too sharp, rinse it briefly under cold water and pat dry to mellow the bite.
How to Make Pea Salad
This easy potluck dish takes about 10–15 minutes to prepare and can be served immediately. Follow these simple steps:
- Make the dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine slightly defrosted peas, cubed cheddar, and diced red onion.
- Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and fold gently to coat. Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top and fold once more to incorporate. Adjust salt to taste.
Optional: Some versions include chopped hard-boiled eggs. They’re optional here but can be added if you prefer.
Note: Plan ahead to slightly defrost the frozen peas so they have the ideal texture when mixed.
Can You Prepare This Salad Ahead of Time?
You can prepare components ahead of time, but assemble just before serving to keep bacon crisp and cheese fresh.
To prep in advance:
- Keep peas in the freezer until about an hour (or up to three hours) before assembly so they stay slightly frozen.
- Cook and crumble the bacon; store in the fridge in an airtight bag.
- If using eggs, hard-boil, cool, and chop them; store in the fridge.
- Cube the cheese and dice the onion; refrigerate both.
- Mix the dressing and refrigerate it covered.
When ready, toss all ingredients together and serve immediately. If you must mix ahead, add the bacon right before serving to preserve its crunch.
Pea Salad FAQs
No — do not cook the peas. This salad is served cold and tastes best with slightly defrosted peas, similar in style to potato salad.
Yes. Omit the bacon for a vegetarian option, or serve it on the side so guests can add it if they like. The bacon adds a smoky crunch, but the salad is still tasty without it.
Real mayonnaise gives the classic flavor and texture for this recipe. You can experiment with part plain Greek yogurt or sour cream mixed with mayo, or try Miracle Whip, but results will vary.
Pea salad can be lower in carbs and gluten-free compared with pasta salad, and peas provide fiber and vitamins. However, the dressing, cheese, and bacon add calories and fat, so it’s an indulgent side rather than a light health food.
How Long Does Pea Salad Last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, pea salad is best eaten within one to two days. The mayonnaise can cause the texture of bacon and cheese to change over time, so fresh is best.
Can You Freeze Pea Salad?
No — do not freeze this salad. Freezing will cause the mayonnaise to separate and ruin the texture of the ingredients.
This English pea salad is a simple, flavorful side everyone will enjoy. Creamy and cheesy with smoky bacon and a tangy dressing, it’s a go-to for summer gatherings, potlucks, and family meals. Try it today and make it your favorite pea salad.
Ingredients (Serves about 16)
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, cubed
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
- 4 cups frozen peas, slightly defrosted
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the peas, cubed cheddar, and diced red onion.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and fold gently until combined.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top and fold once more. Adjust salt as needed and serve immediately.
Nutrition (approx. per 1/2 cup)
Calories: 148 kcal; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 210 mg. Nutrition values are approximate.
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