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Sweet Pea Salad

Sweet Pea Salad is a classic side dish that both simple and delicious. The easy to find ingredients begin with frozen petite peas embellished with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, green onion and a homemade dressing chock-full with pizzazz. The incredible flavor combination keeps it on the regular side dish rotation in my kitchen.

Sweet Pea Salad

Should you Use Frozen or Canned Peas for Sweet Pea Salad?

If you’ve ever seen recipes for classic pea salads they often use canned peas. Although I am a huge fan of pea salad, I prefer the taste and texture of frozen petite or baby peas, instead of the canned variety when I prepare this classic side salad. Super easy to make this pea salad can literally be whipped-up in very little time with very little effort. I think it gets even tastier the longer it sits and the flavors have an opportunity to really combine. If you’re a cheese and bacon fan you c adjust the amounts to suit your personal taste. How to make Pea Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Thaw Peas – Place peas into a colander and run under hot water for around 1 minute. Drain well. 
  • Dressing – Whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Mrs Dash, garlic powder, onion powder and celery salt.
  • Salt and Pepper – Adjust the table salt and black pepper to your taste. Add the pimentos. Mix well.
  • Combine – Add the blanched peas and the remaining ingredients. Reserve a few bacon crumbles, shredded cheese and sliced onions for garnishing.
  • Fold – Use a large spatula to gently fold together until the ingredients have combined.
  • Chill for at least 2 hours prior to serving.
Sweet Pea Salad

How to Make the BEST Sweet Pea Salad Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Sweet pea Salad: Frozen petite peas, cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions. boiled eggs, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt and black pepper, sugar, celery salt, onion powder, Mrs Dash original, garlic powder or granulated garlic, diced pimento.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Skillet to cook the bacon, cheese grater, medium bowl, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knife and chopping board and colander.
  • You can use 2 teaspoons of dried Ranch salad dressing mix or Italian seasoning in this recipe in place of Mrs Dash, if desired.
  • This recipe uses frozen peas, not canned peas. Canned peas may become mushy when mixed with the other ingredients.
  • You could use finely diced shallot or red onion in place of green onions.
  • You can use mild, medium or sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe. You could also use colby jack cheese in the same amount.
  • Once the salad is fully assembled, cover and give it a few hours to thoroughly chill prior to serving so the flavors can come together.
  • Store Sweet Pea Salad well chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
editedSweetPeaSalad

More Recipes Using Peas to the Make

Peas can sometimes be under used when it comes to side dishes. I firmly believe it’s because of the texture of canned peas. I totally get it, they do tend to be a bit mushy in texture. That said, peas make a delicious addition to your side dishes and I wanted to give you some ideas about how to use them. Are you a fan of updated pea recipes?

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Sweet Pea Salad

Prep Time20 minutes
Chill Time2 hours
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: pea-salad-recipe, sweet-pea-salad
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 537kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 24 oz package frozen petite or baby peas
  • 1 1/2 cup real mayonnaise or Miracle Whip dressing
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp sugar, adjust to taste omit if using Miracle Whip
  • 2 tsp Mrs Dash Original Blend
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp celery salt
  • table salt & black pepper to taste
  • 1 4 oz diced pimentos drained reserve 1 Tbsp juice
  • 5 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices bacon cooked & crumbled
  • 2 large eggs boiled, peeled & chopped

Instructions

  • To thaw the peas, place into a colander and run under hot water for around 1 minute. Drain well.  (Alternately thaw in microwave)
  • In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Mrs Dash, garlic powder, onion powder and celery salt.
  • Adjust the table salt and black pepper to your taste. Add the pimentos plus 1 Tbsp of reserved juice. Mix well.
  • To the bowl add the blanched peas, green onions, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, and boiled egg. Reserve a few bacon crumbles, shredded cheese and sliced onions for garnishing.
  • Use a large spatula to gently fold together until the ingredients have combined.
  • Chill for at least 2-4 hours prior to serving.

Notes

If desired, the peas can be thawed in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 730mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

17 Comments

  1. I thaw my peas under the faucet with hot water. I also use ham, but the bacon is my next try. It might give more flavor… Thanks a lot. Ol

  2. A variation of this recipe is also delicious as a main dish with a 12 oz can of drained solid white flaked tuna added (minus the bacon and cheese.)

  3. I can’t imagine using canned peas for ANYTHING! Fresh or frozen is the way to go. I love pea salad and look forward to using this recipe. Thank you!

  4. how would you serve this? like what should i pair it with? do i use it as a side dish or treat it like i would tuna salad? i have never heard of pea salad. sounds similar to seven layer salad. hmm, maybe i can serve if with a herb salmon, layered on a bed of fresh baby spinach..

  5. I had this salad years ago and have been looking for a recipe since then, I absolutely love it and will be making it this weekend for a family reunion. Thank You, Carol

  6. Oh, yum! My Mamaw made the best pea salad with fresh or frozen peas – never canned. I only have her recipe from memory watching her make it, but this comes pretty close. Thank you! I will be making it this week.

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