Classic Creamy Pea Salad with Crispy Bacon & Sharp Cheddar: Your Ultimate Potluck Side
Delight in the quintessential taste of summer with this incredibly easy and delicious creamy pea salad. Featuring crisp, thawed green peas, savory chopped bacon, finely diced red onion, and generous cubes of sharp cheddar cheese, all generously coated in a tangy, rich dressing made with mayonnaise and sour cream, this recipe promises a symphony of textures and flavors. It’s a timeless side dish that consistently steals the show at family gatherings, picnics, and barbecues, proving that even the simplest ingredients can create something truly extraordinary.
Why This Classic Pea Salad Recipe Is a Must-Try
The beauty of classic pea salad lies in its straightforward yet utterly satisfying composition. It’s a dish many grew up with, a nostalgic fixture at every family reunion, potluck, and barbecue. This recipe takes those familiar elements – a vibrant medley of peas, zesty red onion, smoky bacon, and delightful cheddar cheese – and elevates them with a perfectly balanced, creamy mayo and sour cream dressing. Each spoonful offers a delightful contrast: the irresistible crunch from the bacon and fresh onions, alongside the tender bite of sweet peas and the chewiness of the cheddar. It’s a harmonious blend that engages every part of your palate.
There’s a reason this classic pea salad remains so popular. Even if peas aren’t typically your favorite vegetable, this salad has a magical way of converting skeptics. The addition of crispy bacon introduces a salty, smoky depth that is simply irresistible, while the creamy dressing brings everything together with a wonderful tang. It’s truly a game-changer for pea non-believers, promising to become an instant favorite in your recipe rotation. Its vibrant colors and refreshing taste make it a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal, especially during warmer months. Beyond its deliciousness, this salad is incredibly easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you need a reliable dish to share.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pea Salad
Crafting this delightful pea salad requires just a handful of readily available ingredients. The magic happens when these simple components are combined to create a surprisingly complex and satisfying flavor profile. Below, you’ll find an overview of what you’ll need to gather. For exact measurements and detailed instructions, be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card located at the end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitution Suggestions
To ensure your pea salad is nothing short of perfect, understanding each ingredient and its role is key. Here’s a closer look at what goes into this fantastic side dish, along with some helpful tips and substitution ideas to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
PEAS – This recipe specifically calls for frozen peas, and for good reason. Frozen peas retain their vibrant color, sweet flavor, and a satisfying pop of texture that is crucial for a great pea salad. Before mixing, make sure your frozen peas are completely thawed. You can easily do this by letting them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours, or for a quicker method, run them under cold water in a colander until they are no longer icy. Gently pat them dry if they seem excessively wet to prevent a watery salad. While fresh peas can be used, they might require blanching. Canned peas are generally not recommended as they tend to be softer and can break down easily, resulting in a mushy texture that detracts from the salad’s appeal.
BACON – The crispy, salty bacon bits are a non-negotiable component that brings incredible flavor and a delightful textural contrast. Before you begin assembling the salad, you’ll need to cook your bacon until it’s perfectly crisp, then drain off any excess grease and chop it into small pieces. If you’re looking for an easy, mess-free way to cook bacon, I highly recommend learning how to cook bacon in the oven, or for an even faster alternative, try out air fryer bacon. Both methods produce wonderfully crisp bacon without the stovetop splatter. Feel free to use thick-cut or regular bacon, depending on your preference for a more substantial crunch.
DRESSING – The creamy dressing is the heart of this pea salad, binding all the ingredients together with its rich, tangy, and subtly sweet profile. It’s crafted from a classic combination of sour cream and mayonnaise, which provides a luxurious base. White vinegar adds a bright, essential tang that cuts through the richness, while black pepper, salt, and a touch of sugar work in harmony to balance and enhance all the flavors. For those looking to lighten things up, light or low-fat mayonnaise and sour cream can be used without significantly compromising on taste. If you’re a fan of a more pronounced tangy flavor, you might consider substituting Miracle Whip for the mayonnaise. Additionally, apple cider vinegar can be a fantastic alternative to white vinegar, offering a slightly fruitier and milder tang.
CHEESE – Cubed cheddar cheese offers a wonderful texture to the salad, adding little pockets of creamy, savory goodness. The small cubes stand up well to the other ingredients and provide a satisfying chew. While cubed is preferred for this reason, shredded cheddar cheese can certainly be used if that’s what you have on hand or prefer. Both sharp cheddar and mild cheddar work beautifully in this recipe, allowing you to tailor the intensity of the cheese flavor to your liking. For a slightly different twist, Monterey Jack or Colby cheese could also be delicious options.
RED ONION – Diced red onion provides a crucial sharp, pungent bite and another layer of crisp texture. It brightens the salad and complements the sweetness of the peas and the richness of the bacon and cheese. If you find red onion too strong, you can soak the diced onion in a bowl of ice water for about 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This simple trick helps to mellow its intensity without sacrificing its flavor or crunch.
How to Craft Your Delicious Creamy Pea Salad
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this classic pea salad. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Creamy Dressing: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: sour cream, mayonnaise, white vinegar, black pepper, salt, and sugar. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix everything together until the dressing is completely smooth and well-emulsified. Ensure there are no lumps and that the sugar and salt have fully dissolved. This creamy base is crucial for coating all the salad components evenly.
- Combine the Solid Ingredients: In a separate, larger mixing bowl, gently combine the thawed frozen peas, diced red onion, crispy chopped bacon, and cubed cheddar cheese. Make sure these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the bowl.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the combined solid ingredients in the large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold everything together. The key here is to mix carefully to ensure all the peas, bacon, onion, and cheese are thoroughly coated with the dressing without mashing the delicate peas.
- Chill and Serve: Once everything is well combined, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a fitted lid. Transfer the salad to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 2 hours. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the salad to firm up, resulting in the best possible taste and texture. Before serving, give the salad one last gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Your Pea Salad
Here are some common questions and valuable tips to help you achieve the best pea salad every time, ensuring it’s a hit at any gathering.
To maintain its freshness and delicious flavor, store any leftover pea salad in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated, and it will remain good for up to 4 days. Always ensure it’s kept cold to prevent any spoilage, especially due to the mayonnaise and sour cream in the dressing.
Absolutely! Pea salad is an excellent make-ahead dish, perfect for parties or busy schedules. Preparing it a day in advance, or the night before you plan to serve it, actually allows the flavors to meld and deepen, enhancing the overall taste. Just ensure it’s stored tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It is generally not recommended to freeze pea salad. Mayonnaise, a key component of the dressing, tends to separate and change in texture when frozen and thawed, becoming oily or curdled. Furthermore, the peas can become mushy, and the cheese texture can also degrade, making the salad less palatable. For best results, always prepare and enjoy this salad fresh or after refrigeration.
While you technically can use canned peas, it’s highly advised to stick to frozen peas for this recipe. Canned peas are much softer and have a tendency to break apart easily when mixed with other ingredients, leading to a less appealing, mushy texture. Frozen peas, when properly thawed, retain a firm, crisp texture that is essential for the delightful bite of this salad.
For the absolute best results, always opt for frozen green peas. They are harvested at their peak sweetness and flash-frozen, locking in flavor and a crisp texture. When thawed, they maintain their shape and provide the ideal “pop” in every bite, which is crucial for a great pea salad.
To avoid a watery pea salad, ensure your frozen peas are thoroughly thawed and, importantly, well-drained before adding them to the bowl. Any residual ice or water will dilute the dressing. You can gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Also, don’t over-dress the salad; use just enough to coat the ingredients.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Pea Salad
This classic creamy pea salad is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic accompaniment to a wide array of main dishes. It’s particularly at home alongside other popular potluck sides, creating a spread that’s perfect for any gathering. Enjoy it as a refreshing contrast to hearty grilled meats such as succulent chicken, smoky ribs, classic hot dogs, juicy burgers, or vibrant skewers. It also pairs wonderfully with tender pulled pork or mini sliders, making it a perfect addition to larger casual gatherings. For a lighter meal, serve it with deli sandwiches, wraps, or even as a flavorful side to a quiche or frittata. Its vibrant flavor also complements fried chicken or baked ham beautifully. Always remember to serve this pea salad chilled for the best refreshing experience.
More Irresistible Potluck Side Dish Recipes
If you love preparing delicious side dishes for potlucks and gatherings, you’ll certainly want to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Egg Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Mom’s Potato Salad
- Nana’s Macaroni Salad
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Pea Salad
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen peas two 12 ounce bags, thawed and well-drained
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 5 slices bacon cooked until crispy, drained, and chopped
- ½ cup cubed cheddar cheese
Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- ½ Tablespoon table salt
- ½ Tablespoon sugar
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowls
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Whisk
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Rubber spatula
Before You Begin
- Ensure frozen peas are thawed and well-drained.
- Cook, drain, and chop bacon before starting.
- Cubed cheddar cheese offers the best texture, but shredded works too.
- Chill the salad for at least 2 hours for best flavor development.
- Pea salad can be prepared a day ahead.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients (sour cream, mayonnaise, white vinegar, black pepper, salt, and sugar) until smooth.
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In a large bowl, combine the thawed and drained peas, diced red onion, cooked and chopped bacon, and cubed cheddar cheese.
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Add the dressing to the large bowl and gently fold all ingredients together with a rubber spatula until thoroughly coated.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Gently stir one more time before serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.