Pea Salad
When I was a little girl, I loved going to restaurants that had a salad bar because I knew I could get pea salad. Green peas, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and red onions come together with a creamy dressing to make this tasty Pea Salad. This classic salad is fresh, crunchy, sweet and creamy! What more could your want from a delicious salad?
We love this recipe for Pea Salad because it comes together so quickly and makes enough for 2 or 3 meals. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
I make it often during spring and summer months since it is one of the best side dishes to serve with food off the grill. We especially like it served with juicy burgers, crunchy shrimp and grilled chicken.
What can I serve with Pea Salad?
- Hoisin Smoked Chicken
- Sweet and Spicy Sliders
- Fish Tacos
- Crunchy Air Fryer Shrimp
- Smoked Chicken Wings
With just a handful of ingredients, you can put together a salad that is great to pair with almost any lunch or dinner meal. And the dressing is just as easy to make and gives the salad a creamy, tangy burst of flavor.
Pea Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- FROZEN PEAS– They are one of the most versatile and flavorful staples a home cook can have in their freezer. Frozen peas are affordable and form the bulk of this recipe.
- CRUMBLED BACON– Whether you buy it precooked or cook it yourself, it adds great flavor and saltiness to the pea salad.
- CHEDDAR CHEESE– Shredded cheddar adds to the creaminess in this dish. Whether you shred the cheese or cut it into tiny cubes, it makes the salad creamy and delicious!
- RED ONIONS– These are optional, but they give the salad some ‘zing’ and a nice crunch. To make them more mild, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. Check out the details on this below.
- DRESSING– Sour cream, mayonnaise and rice vinegar come together to make a simple creamy dressing for pea salad.
- PARSLEY– Garnish the salad with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
How to remove the strong smell from red onions?
Many recipes call for red onions, but they can be overpowering when they are raw in salads and sandwiches. Here’s a way to make them more appealing.
Fill a small bowl with ice water and add a slice of lemon. Add the chopped red onions to the bowl. Allow them to sit in the ice water for at least 10 minutes. The cold water removes the strong smell and flavor of the onions by washing away some of the sulfur that is released when they are sliced. The lemon contains acid and also makes the onions less pungent.
After 10-20 minutes of soaking, drain the onions and add them to the salad. You should notice a much nicer flavor and won’t be put off by the strong smell of the red onions.
Alternately, you can use pickled red onions in this salad. They give the salad a sweet, tangy taste. Don’t know how to make them, check out this recipe for Quick Pickled Red Onions. Keep them in a jar in the refrigerator and add them to salads, sandwiches and tacos. They are delicious!
Additions and Variations to Pea Salad
SHREDDED CARROTS– Often times, I will add shredded carrots for sweetness, color and crunch. It depends on what I have on hand, but they make a great addition to pea salad.
RED PEPPERS– Diced red peppers are another great addition. They provide a contrast in color and a juicy, sweet taste. Be sure to cut them as small as the peas for the best results.
GREEN ONIONS– These make a nice substitution for the red onions in this dish. They are milder in flavor and readily available in the grocery store. Slice them very thin and use a mix of the green tops and white part of the onions.
CHEESE– Replace the cheddar cheese with another cheese, such as Havarti or American cheese. While we like cheddar the best, other mild cheeses can be used.
FRESH HERBS– Sometimes I add some fresh chopped dill the the dressing. It gives the salad a slightly tangy flavor.
How to make Pea Salad?
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and rice vinegar and whisk until well combined.
- Place the frozen peas in a strainer and run them under warm water to thaw. Drain them thoroughly and add them to the bowl with the dressing.
- Stir in the crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onions. Stir until coated with dressing.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. This recipe makes 8 servings.
Serve Pea Salad with your favorite sandwiches, burgers, or food from the grill. It adds a fresh, creamy component to any spring or summer meal! You’re going to love it!
More of the Best Salad Recipes
- Broccoli Corn Salad
- Italian Tortellini Salad
- Basil Pesto Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Asian Broccoli Salad
- Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
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Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 4 cups peas, frozen
- 1 cup crumbled bacon, about 8 slices, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onions, chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and rice vinegar and whisk until well combined.
- Place the frozen peas in a strainer and run them under warm water to thaw. Drain them thoroughly and add them to the bowl with the dressing.
- Stir in the crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onions. Stir until coated with dressing.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. This recipe makes 8 servings.
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl