Go Back
Best Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheese Recipe

Best Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheese

A classic cold American pea salad made with thawed frozen peas, crisp bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, and a creamy mayonnaise-sour-cream dressing. Chill it before serving so the flavors come together.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 1 pound (16 ounces) Frozen green peas, thawed
  • 6 slices Bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 1/4 cup Red onion, finely diced
Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 8 to 12 minutes, turning as needed, until crisp. Transfer it to paper towels to drain, let it cool, and crumble it into bite-size pieces.
  2. Thaw the frozen peas and drain them well. Pat them dry if they are wet, because excess water can thin the dressing and make the salad less creamy.
  3. Place the thawed peas, crumbled bacon, cheddar cubes, and finely diced red onion in a large bowl. Toss very gently so the peas stay intact and the cheese remains in distinct pieces.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and evenly seasoned.
  5. Fold the dressing gently into the pea mixture until the ingredients are evenly coated. Avoid vigorous stirring, since thawed peas can become soft.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours before serving. Stir gently just before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Notes

Use frozen peas instead of canned peas for brighter color and firmer texture. Reserve some bacon for garnish or add it just before serving if you want it especially crisp. Store covered in the refrigerator and serve chilled.