Bacon Pea Salad
A creamy, crunchy, sweet-and-savory classic salad loaded with peas, crispy bacon, cheese, and red onions. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or an easy side dish.
Prep Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Chill: 30 minutes (recommended)
Serves: 6–8
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 4 cups frozen peas, thawed and drained
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, diced (optional for crunch)
Creamy Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar or honey
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- chopped hard-boiled eggs
- sunflower seeds
- diced ham
- green onions
- shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Cook the Bacon
Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
Transfer to paper towels and let cool.
Crumble into bite-size pieces.
2. Prepare the Peas
Thaw frozen peas completely.
Drain well and pat dry slightly to avoid watery salad.
Do not cook the peas — they should stay firm and sweet.
3. Make the Dressing
In a medium bowl whisk together:
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- vinegar
- sugar
- garlic powder
- salt
- pepper
Mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl combine:
- peas
- bacon
- cheese
- red onion
- celery
Pour dressing over the salad.
Stir gently until evenly coated.
5. Chill
Cover and refrigerate:
- at least 30 minutes
This helps the flavors blend together.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled with:
- grilled chicken
- burgers
- BBQ ribs
- sandwiches
- baked potatoes
Variations
Healthier Version
Use:
- light mayo
- Greek yogurt
- turkey bacon
Ranch Bacon Pea Salad
Add:
- ranch seasoning
- shredded cheddar
- extra bacon
Sweet & Crunchy Version
Add:
- diced apples
- raisins
- candied pecans
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Stir before serving
- Not freezer friendly
Tips for Best Flavor
- Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch
- Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor
- Let salad chill before serving
- Drain peas well to keep dressing creamy
