This creamy Pea Salad Recipe is the perfect side dish for your next barbecue!
As a parent of three, I consider myself lucky. Overall, my kids eat everything I make them. Even my youngest daughter, who’s more hesitant to try new things, is still not as picky as I was at her age. Take this cream pea salad, for instance. There’s no way on God’s green earth that, as a kid, I’d have let even a spoonful of this near my mouth. But my picky eater? She loves it—minus the red onions, which she picks out with surgical precision. Choose your battles, right?
She loves everything else about this creamy salad—tender peas, crisp bacon, and sharp cheddar are hard to resist. The flavors hit a delicious balance of creamy and tangy, and the slightly pungent red onions give it a satisfying crunch (unless you’re as picky as my daughter). Whether you leave the onions in or not, pea salad is a refreshing break from the usual sides that go with barbecues and picnics. I like coleslaw and potato salad as much as the next Midwesterner, but variety is the spice of life!
Is Pea Salad Healthy?
Peas are a great source of fiber, protein, and essential vitamins like vitamins C and K. But there’s also a fair amount of fat in this pea salad. With the mayo, sour cream, cheddar, and bacon, I’m not exactly cutting calories here. It’s not too hard to reduce the fat content, though. For example, you can use a light mayo and sour cream, and Greek yogurt is an excellent alternative for either (or both) as well. Turkey bacon is another simple swap. It’s not as fatty as traditional bacon but still has the salty, smoky kick this dish needs.
A Case For The Red Onion
I keep harping on the onion because, well, I love onions! It truly makes this recipe. Along with the bacon, it adds a crisp contrast to all the other textures. But the sharp bitterness of the red onion is the best part, cutting through the richness of the mayo and sour cream in a way no other vegetable can.
However, maybe you’re like my daughter and you just don’t do red onions. I get it. They are intense. In that case, I suggest something milder, like green onions or shallots, so you still get that bitter bite without overwhelming your taste buds. Trust me, though—you don’t want to skip the onion family entirely. They’re the secret to making this pea salad sing!
How to make ahead and store
Pea salad is perfect for making ahead because it lets the flavors set. All you need to do is prep the salad per the instructions and then refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
I tend to serve pea salad with grilling favorites. It pairs beautifully with this Grilled Pineapple Paleo Burger, or a skewer of Beef Kabobs. An equally tasty combo is this Hawaiian-inspired sandwich featuring Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. It’s a tasty mix of sweet and savory that definitely complements the pea salad. Speaking of Hawaiian, this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is another great side for a luau meal. Or keep things simple and serve your pea salad with a Chicken Caesar Wrap!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 to 4 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 quart frozen green peas thawed
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese cubed
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Start with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and then add more depending on your desired flavor. Mix to combine and form the dressing.
- In a large bowl, add the thawed peas, cubed cheddar cheese, red onion, chopped parsley, and crumbled bacon.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and mix gently until everything is well coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment