Bacon Pea Salad

This creamy bacon pea salad has sweet peas, tangy red onion, crunchy bacon, and cheese, covered in a sweet and tangy creamy dressing. It is such a simple side dish that will be a great option for potlucks, summer barbecues, or holiday dinners.

I love salads, even the non leafy green kinds, like this green pea salad. Pasta salad, fruit salad, or potato salad, this is a great one to add to the mix. It’s a crowd pleaser and is perfect for making all year long because the recipe uses frozen peas.

This easy bacon pea salad is a potluck staple. It’s a southern favorite that should be popular every where, because it’s simple to make, only a few simple ingredients, and only takes a few minutes to throw together.

The sweet peas are paired perfectly with the salty bacon, cheddar cheese, tangy red onions, and creamy sauce. It’s a perfect combination to serve along side some cheeseburgers, hot dogs, or other barbecued foods.

I also love making it up for baby showers, birthday dinners, or Easter dinner because we usually get together with some family, and it’s a fun, fresh tasting salad that everyone loves, and it pairs perfectly with an Easter ham. It’s a classic side dish recipe that should be in everyone’s recipe box.

Ingredients needed:

This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Bacon Pea Salad Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.

• peas – I like to use frozen because they’re easy to find all year long, and I prefer the texture and flavor
• red onion – this is served raw, so red onion is better for that. I also love the color it adds.
• bacon – enough said. I like cooking my bacon strips in the air fryer then cutting it up with scissors.
• cheddar cheese – I like using cubed sharp cheddar cheese for this, but you can choose your choice of cheese
• sour cream – adds a nice creaminess to the dressing, and can be subbed with greek yogurt.
• mayonnaise
• apple cider vinegar – adds a little tanginess to the dressing, you can substitute white wine vinegar instead
• sugar – adds a little sweetness to the dressing
• salt and black pepper – add these to taste, try out the dressing as you mix it up and add more as needed.

How to make Bacon Pea Salad?

1. Add the peas, chopped onion, cubed cheese, and crumbled bacon to a large mixing bowl and toss them all together.
2. In another bowl mix the ingredients for the pea salad dressing; add the sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper and whisk them together.
3. Pour the creamy dressing over the top of the cream mixture. Carefully toss the mixture to coat the peas and mixture in the dressing evenly. Put the salad in the fridge for 1 to 3 hours before serving.

Tips and Tricks:

• Try using cubed ham instead of crumbled up crispy bacon.
• Run the peas under cold water for a few minutes to let them thaw before adding them to the salad.
• Add in 1 cup of additional diced vegetables as desired; some good options would be sweet bell peppers, broccoli, or carrots.

How to store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This salad should not be frozen.

This creamy pea salad is such a perfect side dish for a potluck. It’s delicious, flavorful and always a winner.

More side dish recipes:

• Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
• Green Bean Casserole
• Mashed Potatoes
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Ambrosia Salad
• Grape Salad from The Recipe Critic
• Corn Salad from Cooking Classy

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