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Pea Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 110 reviews

This classic Pea Salad is a creamy, savory dish featuring crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, sweet peas, and a tangy dressing made from sour cream and mayonnaise. Perfectly chilled before serving, it’s a delicious side option for picnics, potlucks, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon

  • 8 slices bacon, diced

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Salad

  • 4 cups frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion
  • 3/4 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese (approximately the same size as the peas)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Bacon: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it becomes crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon pieces onto a paper-towel-lined plate to drain the excess fat and cool.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, coarse salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Combine Salad Ingredients: To the dressing bowl, add the thawed peas, diced red onion, cubed sharp cheddar cheese, and the cooled crispy bacon. Gently stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  4. Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate the pea salad for at least one hour. This allows the flavors to meld nicely. Before serving, garnish with some additional crispy bacon if desired. Serve the salad cold.

Notes

  • Make sure to thaw the frozen peas completely and drain any excess moisture to avoid a watery salad.
  • For extra flavor, consider using smoked cheddar or adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley.
  • This salad can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated in an airtight container.
  • To make it vegetarian, omit the bacon or substitute with vegetarian bacon alternatives.

Keywords: pea salad, bacon salad, creamy pea salad, cheddar cheese salad, summer side dish, picnic recipes

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/pea-salad-recipe/