Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon

4.72 from 7 votes
6 Comments

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Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon is always a favorite side dish at barbecues or potlucks. The creamy dressing and crunchy, crispy bacon are so good!

Top view of Green Pea Salad in small bowls next to large glass bowl.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Ingredients in Pea Salad
  2. Variations to this Pea Salad Recipe
  3. Using Frozen Peas
  4. What to Serve with Pea Salad
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Pea Salad
  6. More Tasty Salads
  7. How to Make Pea Salad
  8. Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon Recipe

Green Pea Salad with Bacon is one of our favorite spring and summertime side dishes. Crisp green peas are a staple around our house, whether we grow our own or raid our mom’s garden! But even on the years we don’t plant peas, we love to make this vibrant, crisp and creamy salad. The dish just adds the right amount of color and flavor to so many summer meals. It’s easy, low carb, completely gluten free, and so yummy! Make this salad for your next patio picnic, spring luncheon or neighborhood potluck supper.

Ingredients in Pea Salad

  • Frozen Peas – you can also use fresh or canned peas.
  • Mayonnaise – To make this pea salad a bit more healthy, you can substitute Greek Yogurt for the mayo in the sauce. If you like the flavor of Miracle Whip instead, swap that for the mayo too. Another sauce option is to whisk in Ranch dressing or Italian dressing. It won’t be as creamy but it’s really delicious!
  • Sour Cream
  • White Vinegar – Add a little extra vinegar to give the sauce a bit more zing. You can also use apple cider vinegar.
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper – one teaspoon salt and pepper, or more to taste
  • Bacon – Use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon if you wish.
  • Cheddar Cheese – I think sharp cheddar cheese has the best flavor for this salad. If you want to use less cheese, you can shred the cheese instead of using chunks. That’ll make it go further too!
Ingredients to make Green Pea Salad including bacon, cheese cubes, salt, pepper, vinegar, mayonnaise, sour cream and frozen peas.


Variations to this Pea Salad Recipe

I have seen this pea salad recipe made about a dozen different ways at least. Everyone seems to have a preference with their pea salad. Some just like it creamy, some like it to have some crunch. It really just depends on your taste. Personally, I just like it how it is. “If it ain’t broke.. ” ya know? Anyway, for those of you who want to add a little something more, here are some common mix-in ideas:

  • boiled egg
  • diced ham
  • peanuts
  • cashews
  • smoked almonds
  • green onion or chives
  • chopped red onion – to make sure the onion doesn’t overtake the flavor of your pea salad, soak the diced onion in cold water for 5-10 minutes and then drain before adding.
  • chopped mint or other fresh herbs
  • feta cheese
  • blue cheese
  • pickles
  • water chestnuts
  • minced garlic
  • fresh dill
Spoon full of Green Pea Salad over the bowl of Green Pea Salad.

Using Frozen Peas

When making this salad, I almost always reach for a bag of frozen peas. I love fresh peas, but when they’re not in season frozen is perfect! They’re easy to prepare because they’ve already been blanched before freezing. So all you have to do is just run them under some cool water, or let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Perfectly green, crisp, and flavorful every single time.

What to Serve with Pea Salad

Pea salad pairs perfectly with anything from backyard burgers to Sunday roasted chicken. It’s the perfect side dish for just about any meal. It tastes delicious alongside a honey ham dinner, steaks, fish, chicken, anything at all! Pea salad is also a delicious light supper all on its own, especially when you add diced ham, chicken or hard boiled eggs.

Close up of Green Pea Salad in a large glass bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pea Salad

How do you thaw frozen peas for salad?

Place the frozen peas in a colander in the sink and rinse with cold water.

Do frozen peas need to be cooked in water?

No, frozen peas are pre-cooked. The just need to be thawed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat leftovers within 5 days of making the salad.

Read Next:35+ Best BBQ Side Dishes

More Tasty Salads

For more scrumptious side dish recipes beyond this pea salad for your next barbecue or potluck, try some of these amazing salad recipes:

How to Make Pea Salad

Serving bowls full of Green Pea Salad with forks.

Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon

4.72 from 7 votes
Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon is always a favorite side dish at barbecues or potlucks. The creamy dressing and crunchy, crispy bacon are so good!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place frozen peas in a colander and rinse with cold water to thaw. It doesn't need to thaw completely. Just enough so the peas aren't sticking together. Place peas in a large bowl and set aside. 
    Colander with rinsed green peas for Green Pea Salad.
  • Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. 
    Glass bowl of sauce with spatula with salt and pepper shakers on the side for Green Pea Salad.
  • Add mixture to peas and gently stir with a rubber spatula until well combined. 
    Glass bowl of combined dressing and green peas with spatula with salt and pepper.
  • Gently stir in the crumbled bacon and cheese until combined. 
    Bowl of Green Pea Salad with cheddar cubes and chopped up bacon with spatula. Salt and pepper on the side.
  • Add more salt and pepper, to taste, if needed. 
    Glass Bowl of Green Pea Salad with a wooden spoon on the side.
  • Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. 
    Wooden spoon holding up Green Pea Salad above glass bowl of Green Pea Salad.

Notes

  • To make this pea salad a bit more healthy, you can substitute Greek Yogurt for the mayo in the sauce.
  • If you like the flavor of Miracle Whip instead, swap that for the mayo too.
  • Another sauce option is to use Ranch dressing or Italian dressing. It won’t be as creamy but it’s really delicious!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 257kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 11gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 278mgPotassium: 246mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 805IUVitamin C: 30.3mgCalcium: 162mgIron: 1.3mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 3 stars
    I made it for the first time. Before I got creative the dressing was very bland. I did add the water chestnuts for needed crunch and I used minced fresh rosemary, parsley and garlic powder. It’s a good basic recipe that needed some UMPH but came out fantastic. Made it today for service tomorrow. Should improve over night.

  2. 5 stars
    This pea salad recipe is always a hit at our house. Peas, cheese and bacon – what’s not to love! I’ve never added water chestnuts, but that’s such a great idea. Thank you for sharing!

  3. 5 stars
    This looks like a great recipe to take to family gatherings – everyone loves sweet peas! And bacon!! That puts it over the top!