This Creamy Pea Salad is a nice change from the typical potato or pasta salads found at barbecues and potlucks. It requires very little cooking with just a little bit of chopping and mixing – it could easily be a no-cook recipe if you buy precooked bacon! It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Pea Salad
This Creamy Pea Salad is a nice change from the typical potato or pasta salads found at barbecues and potlucks. It requires very little cooking with just a little bit of chopping and mixing โ in fact, it could easily be a no-cook recipe if you buy precooked bacon!
I donโt know about yโall, but I love cool side salads in the summer! They just seem so refreshing in the summer heat.
Although I love a good potato or macaroni salad, sometimes, I want something just a bit different! This Creamy Pea Salad is one of my personal favorites, and itโs soon to become one of yours too!
The recipe is sooooo easy, and itโs always a hit! Iโve had this in my recipe file for more than 20 years, and I canโt tell you how many times Iโve given this recipe to friends and family!
Iโve even had people who dislike peas enjoy my creamy pea salad โ itโs that good!
Bring it to your next summer get-together – itโs excellent picnic food! (Then again, itโs probably good at any time of the year, to be honest!)
Pea Salad with Bacon: Ingredients & Equipment
To make this Pea Salad recipe, you will need …
Ingredients
- frozen peas – thawed and drained. There’s no need to cook these beforehand – just thaw them, and theyโre ready to go! You can also use canned peas if that’s what you have on hand or if that’s what you prefer.
- cheddar and mozzarella cheese – diced. These provide an even more creamy texture to your salad. You can also shred it if you prefer.
- bacon – cooked and crumbled. It gives a more delicious crunch to your pea salad, and anyway, who doesnโt LOVE bacon? Don’t want to cook at all? Find already cooked bacon for an even easier side dish!
- red onion – for flavor and more crunch!
- salt and pepper – to taste.
- Miracle Whip or mayonnaise – a summer salad classic that turns all these ingredients from fine to fab!
NOTE: Personally, I like the simplicity of this recipe, but feel free to play around with it a bit. Sometimes if I have fresh dill on hand, Iโll throw a bit of that in there as well. Also, some people love to add eggs or cashews to their pea salad.
Equipment
- large bowl – for mixing together all your ingredients. No-fuss, no drama! ๐
Green Pea Salad: FAQs
Absolutely!! Iโd say you can make this up to two days ahead and store it in the fridge. Just donโt add the bacon until right before serving, or else youโll get, well, mushy bacon. Ew! Iโd also stir it before serving, as well. But overall, itโs one of those perfect event/get-together foods!
In an airtight container, in the fridge, for 3-4 days. Donโt leave it out on the counter or the picnic table for very long – maybe just 2 hours. Remember, this has dairy in it, so it spoils/goes bad faster than most foods.
Just 10 minutes! Not 10 minutes and more time to cook โฆ not 10 minutes in addition to some other step โฆ just 10 minutes. Easy!
About ten servings or ten small bowls!
I know a lot of people like to add hard-boiled eggs or cashews to their pea salads – those are big ones! Some other ideas:
– peppers of any kind
– cayenne for spice
– diced celery or water chestnuts
– garlic or garlic powder
Here are a few Iโve seen or tried:
– you can switch out the diced cheese for shredded cheese if you prefer
– Greek yogurt or ranch dressing instead of Miracle Whip/mayo
– Canadian bacon or ham instead of the bacon (gasp!)
– green onion or Vidalia onion instead of red onion
Other recipes you may enjoy
Creamy Pea Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 packages frozen peas, thawed and drained 16 oz. each
- ยฝ – 1 cup diced Cheddar cheese
- ยฝ – 1 cup diced Mozzarella cheese
- ยผ cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ยฝ pound bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
- Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Additions and substitutions
I know a lot of people like to add hard-boiled eggs or cashews to their pea salads – those are big ones! Some other ideas:- add peppers of any kind
- cayenne for spice
- diced celery or water chestnuts
- garlic or garlic powder
- you can switch out the diced cheese for shredded cheese if you prefer
- try Greek yogurt or ranch dressing instead of Miracle Whip/mayo
- use Canadian bacon or ham instead of the bacon (gasp!)
- substitute green onion or Vidalia onion instead of red onion
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally posted on August 25, 2012. Updated on April 22, 2022.
This is just my type of salad! Love it, our seasons are a bit confused – we had Winter last week, totally skipped Spring (same last year) and we're right in the middle of Summer already… so, we will have a lot of braais soon. Pinned your recipe, thanks, Jamie!
Linda
This looks tasty. I had to see how it differs from the one I have been making for years. They are pretty different, but I like all the ingredients in yours…I'll have to try it next time we have the hankering for pea salad. I am your newest follower. I hope you'll stop by again for a visit and maybe even a follow back. Have a great week!
Blessings,
Nici
Thanks for stopping by Posed Perfection today and leaving me such sweet comments. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Blessings,
Nici
An ex-boyfriend of mine used to make something like this. I'm so happy to find a recipe for it. Yum! Thanks for sharing!
I love pea salad and yours looks delish! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week and come back soon ~EMM
Oh yum!! I love pea salad! Have to make this!!
Yummy! This is really similar to a macaroni salad that I make but this is soooo much easier. I can't wait to try it out. Thanks for sharing. Love you newest Facebook follower, Whimsically Homemade!
looks great! never had pea salad, but I love peas…will try!
Thanks for the memory Jamie! My mother passed away 32 years ago today and your pea salad reminded me of hers ๐ Thank you for linking it up at the party this week. I've shared this post on my Facebook page โฅ
Jamie I'm visiting from Tempt your tummy,I saw this creamy pea salad and I couldn't get over here fast enuff…I love me some sweet peas,and this looks so good.And who don't like bacon,I could probable eat bacon on just about everything,I'm your new follower.Come see me if ya can.
That looks so good! I haven't had Pea Salad in forever!I have to make some now ๐ Thanks for linking up with me.
This looks so good! i can't wait to make this! I found you over on the Creative Thursday blog hop and am now a follower! i'd love it if you would follow me back at http://www.battlingthehomefront.com
This has always been one of my favorites!!! Thanks for posting and reminding me…think I see "creamy pea salad for the weekend".
This looks so good. You could probably just use bacon bits too, for a no cook option. Thanks for sharing on foodie friday!
Hi Jamie,
Glad to see you left the cheese in the recipe that's what makes it so good. Hope you have a great holiday weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Yum. Thanks for sharing this week at One Creative Weekend! Have a great weekend!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Looks good!! My grandma used to make something like this I always loved it. I can't wait to make your version! Thanks so much for partying with me this week.:)
Thank you so much for linking up last week at Recipe Sharing Monday. The new link party is now up and I'd love it if you joined us again. Have a great week!
This looks good. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday and hope to see you back this week with some of your great recipes.
http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com
Stopping by for the first time and enjoyed perusing many of your posts! Sweet place you have here ๐ I think this recipe sounds so good! I love peas!
Nice to meet you!
Kindly, Lorraine
I love the combination of flavors in this dish. It will be FEATURED this week!! Thanks for linking up to Tasty Thursdays on The Mandatory Mooch. I hope you will link up again this week. The party will be live tonight. http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com
Thanks, Nichi
Oh my gawsh!!! I haven't had this in years!! It used to be one of my fave side dishes. Yummy!
Stopping by from Totally Tasty Tuesday!
G'day Jamie and congrats also on being featured via The Olive and Grapevine Salad newsletter this week too!
Cheers! Joanne
GREAT salad!
This looks delicious!
This looks delicious! Has anyone tried a substitute for mayo?
Now wonder why this is a popular post…it looks amazing! ๐
Thanks for sharing a great recipe. I just made the salad as a side dish to sandwich night. Turned out great! Halved the recipe and then halved it again to fit my smaller family still fed 3 people with some leftover in the fridge. Loved the crisp peas and crunchy bacon and creamy cheese – great textures. Used two small shallots instead of red onion as a mellow flavor. Red onions can easily take over a dish. Blogged about this salad. Linked it back to yours. Used my own pictures. Loved the colors in this dish – going to use this recipe all summer long! ๐
Just saw this as link on Garlic-Herb Cheese Bombs recipe.
Mom made Pea Salad with peas (canned in pre-frozen box days, and fresh blanched if she had them), diced apple, very thinly sliced celery, very small cubes of cheese, if time permitted, coursely if not, sliced green onion tops, and the same dressing.
Jamie. I have a very similar recipe that includes lettuce that you layer with the rest of the ingredients. I am so excited about your recipe because the lettuce would tend to wilt and I did not care for that. I know that your recipe will be yummy. Putting this on my menu for next week! Thank you for sharing. Nancy P
I remember having a wilted lettuce salad when I was growing up and I was never really a fan of it either! I hope you enjoy this Creamy Pea Salad – it's one of my family's favorites! ๐
If you don't like peas, try broccoli instead – works great.
You can also thin the mayo with a bit of cider vinegar & sugar if you'd like a little more sweetness in the dressing.
Yes yes yes…. The only thing I need to say is that I always use the BABY PEAS. It really does make a difference. And for a bit of a change, use diced ham for the bacon.
Your recipe looks wonderful. It is the exact side dish I was looking for, for a luncheon with a friend. Thanks for sharing.
What a creative salad! Looks good!
My mom makes a version of this every Summer! So yummy!
such a fun play on a side. I love peas!
Such a fun and yummy recipes to get the veggies in!
I love peas and yes, what a great change from the typical potato or pasta salads!!! love this!
I love Pea Salad, yours is just a bit different then the one I have made, can not wait to try it!
I haven't had pea salad in way too long! Time to put this on the menu for this week!!
I recently made this for a family reunion. It was a huge hit and so easy to make. Thank you Jamie!
I use boiled eggs in my pea salad, really yummy.
My grandmother used to make this and include peanuts. As a change, cubed, cooked sweet potatoes are a nice additon, as well!
needs celery
Yes!! I put boiled egg in my salad too (not mozzarella ) & celery & pimento too if I had it. Pea salad is a treasure for sure!!
can you use vegan mayo ?
That would be fine. I hope you enjoy it!
My mother in law makes this except we add pickles. Makes it sooooo delicious.
Thank you…i always have used finely chopped dill pickle in my Pea salad, too. Chopped hard boiled eggs are good, too. ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ
I put chopped boiled eggs in mine. Also a bit of pickle relish.
I made this today and it brought back of memories of sitting at my grandmas table on Sunday!! Thanks for the recipe as it is the closest one I have found to match what my grandma made. My husband had never had and loves it.
This dish is traditional with my family and required at all holiday gatherings! The recipe from my granny included hard-boiled egg and diced celery.
Not so great for me.. didnt have many takers at Thanksiving.
I have made this salad several times. With precooked bacon and regular and Iโm a fan of precooked! This is delicious salad!!
My husband, who wouldn’t eat a pea to save his life, loves this salad!! He actually asks for it! This really is a delightful surprise. The perfect alternative to potato salad. Yummy!
Since finding this post, it has become a family favorite. I love your pea salad. Thanks so much for sharing!
ICindyve been making Pea Salad for almost 40 years now and I too found that people who don’t like peas Love this salad! I make mine with just the cheddar cheese and instead of adding salt I add a handful of chopped salted peanuts! A dash of Hot Sauce adds a bit of zing. Yum!
My husband would never eat peas until I made this delicious pea salad!! Now he requests this Pea Salad frequently!!
We both love it! I added a splash of sweet pickle juice to the mayonnaise before stirring it into the salad for a hint of sweetness. Pea Perfection!