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This easy pea salad is one of those timeless recipes that shows up at every potluck, picnic, and holiday gathering — and for good reason! Made with sweet green peas, creamy dressing, cheese, and a little crunch, this green pea salad comes together in minutes and tastes even better after it chills.
For more crowd-pleasing picnic salads, try my Best Potato Salad and this creamy Macaroni Salad recipe!
Why you’ll love this green pea salad recipe!
While my kids never liked the texture of canned peas, I discovered that they couldn’t get enough frozen peas. So this easy pea salad quickly became a regular in our rotation — and in their lunchboxes!
It’s also the perfect side dish for all your summer favorites, from backyard barbecues to picnics and weekly meal prep. Serve it with main courses like burgers, BBQ ribs, or grilled chicken. Then, add a few of your favorite sides, and you’ll have a delicious meal for everyone to enjoy
- No cooking required: Just mix and chill!
- Made with frozen peas: Which means no mushy canned peas and no shelling peas by hand.
- Creamy, crunchy, and perfectly balanced: The textures in this recipe are on point!
- Easy to make ahead: It’s fantastic for parties and holidays.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
The full list of ingredients with measurements is in the recipe card below.
For the Salad:
- Frozen peas – I’ve tested this recipe with fresh and frozen peas, and frozen are by far the better option.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Cubed cheese is the key, not shredded!
- Red onion – If you’re not an onion fan, don’t worry. It mellows in the dressing!
- Cooked bacon – I like to make bacon in the oven for easy prep.
For the Creamy Dressing:
- Sour cream and mayo – The rich, creamy base.
- Granulated sugar – This adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the tanginess of the dressing.
- Vinegar – White vinegar is best, but apple cider vinegar will also work.
Variations
- Use turkey bacon in place of regular bacon, or add ham instead.
- Include chopped fresh parsley for an herbaceous flavor.
- Include hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and a creamy consistency.
How to Make Sweet Pea Salad
- Drain the peas: Thaw the peas in a colander at room temperature.
- Create the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Combine: Add the peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onion to the bowl of dressing. Stir to combine and coat the salad.
- Chill: Cover the bowl, and transfer the green pea salad to the fridge for one to three hours before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe pairs well with all your favorite warm-weather dishes! Serve it as a side with main courses like:
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken (perfect for Memorial Day and 4th of July!)
- Crockpot Hot Dogs
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Easy Marinated Grilled Chicken Tenders
Then, add sides such as broccoli salad, tomato salad, and watermelon and feta salad for a complete meal.
How to Store
Store leftover green pea salad in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days. Give it a good stir to redistribute the ingredients before serving, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Pea salad is a cold, creamy salad made with green peas, mayonnaise, cheese, and crunchy mix-ins like onion or bacon.
No. Frozen peas are simply thawed and drained. Cooking them can make the salad mushy.
Yes. It’s actually better after chilling for a few hours and can be made up to a day in advance.
Absolutely. It’s delicious without bacon and easy to make vegetarian.
More Summer Salad Recipes to Try
Side Dishes
Creamy Potato Salad With Eggs
Lunch
Easy Egg Salad
Side Dishes
Macaroni Salad
Soups and Salads
Summer Salad
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Easy Pea Salad
Equipment
- 1 Colander
- 1 Large bowl
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen peas
- 1/4 pound bacon, cooked and finely chopped
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the peas from freezer and place in a colander and allow to slightly thaw while preparing the dressing.16 ounces frozen peas
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, vinegar, salt, and black pepper.1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Add the peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onion and stir to combine.4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed, 1/4 pound bacon, cooked and finely chopped, 1/2 small red onion, diced
- Once mixed, add the pea salad to the fridge and chill for 1-3 hours before serving.
Notes
- Drain peas thoroughly. Sometimes they can be very icy and you don’t want all that water in your salad!
- Chill at least 1 hour. This salad gets better as it sits and the flavors meld.
This classic side dish is still one of my all time favorites!