Pea Salad with Crispy Bacon, Cheddar, and Red Onion Recipe
This classic Pea Salad combines crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, sweet peas, and a creamy dressing made with sour cream and mayonnaise for a delightful, chilled side dish. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a refreshing accompaniment to any meal, this salad is quick to prepare and packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon
- 8 slices bacon, diced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Salad
- 4 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 3/4 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese (approximately the same size as the peas)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it becomes crispy. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon onto a paper-towel lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, coarse salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the thawed peas, diced red onion, cubed sharp cheddar cheese, and the cooked crispy bacon to the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir everything to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Just before serving, optionally garnish with a few extra crispy bacon pieces. Serve the salad cold for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Make sure peas are fully thawed before mixing to avoid watering down the salad.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with mild cheddar or a cheese of your preference.
- For a tangier flavor, increase apple cider vinegar slightly, adjusting to taste.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To reduce preparation time, cook bacon in the oven on a baking sheet lined with foil at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
Keywords: pea salad, bacon pea salad, creamy pea salad, easy side dish, summer salad, picnic salad
