Classic Creamy Southern Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheddar
This old-fashioned pea salad recipe uses frozen peas for convenience and comes together fast. It features a creamy, tangy dressing, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, making it a perfect make-ahead side dish for potlucks, BBQs, and Easter gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cook (after bacon)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Thaw the frozen peas completely. Drain them well and pat them dry with paper towels to prevent a watery salad.
- In a large bowl, combine the dried peas, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped red onion.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pea mixture. Gently fold all ingredients together until the peas and mix-ins are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend and the salad to chill properly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving as a potluck favorite or BBQ side dish.
Notes
- For best results and a less watery salad, ensure your thawed peas are very dry before mixing them with the dressing.
- This Southern Pea Salad holds up well and tastes even better when made a few hours ahead of time.
- You can substitute English peas for frozen peas if you prefer, but cook them briefly until tender-crisp and cool them completely before assembly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 27
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 45