This delicious, creamy bacon pea salad recipe is the perfect picnic food. This time of year, I am so anxious for outdoor dinners and sunny weather.
This classic pea salad reminds me of something my grandmother would have served— in the best possible way. It’s a nostalgic recipe that begs to be served with watermelon and hot dogs.
More picnic recipes: Tomato Burrata, Deviled Eggs, 7 Layer Salad, Broccoli Salad, Classic Potato Salad, Ambrosia Salad, Tuna Salad, Macaroni Salad, Pigs in a Blanket, Creamy Pasta Salad.
Ingredients in Bacon Pea Salad:
- Frozen Peas
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- White Vinegar
- Crispy Bacon
- Red Onion
- Cheddar Cheese
- Fresh Parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
How To Make Classic Pea Salad:
Combine the dressing ingredients (sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and vinegar) in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the peas, bacon, cubed cheese, onion and parsley. Stir to combine, making sure all the salad is coated with dressing. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.
Tips for Serving:
- This salad is good chilled and at room temperature.
- Chop the cheese and onion small for the best possible bites.
- Store in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
Old Fashioned Pea Salad Pairs Well With:
- Easy Chicken Salad
- Best Mint Mojito Recipe
- Fried Green Tomato Salad
- Pina Colada Mix
- Simple Cucumber Salad
- Lemony Kale Salad
- 50+ Easy BBQ Side Dishes
- Jello Shots – Ultimate Recipe Guide
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pea salad served cold?
Yes, you can serve this pea salad right from the fridge. It also tastes great at room temperature.
How do you store leftovers?
This pea salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
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Ingredients
- 4 cups Frozen Peas (thawed )
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 1 tablespoon White Vinegar
- 8 slices Bacon (crispy)
- ½ cup Red Onion (chopped)
- 6 ounces Cheddar Cheese (chopped into small cubes )
- 3 tablespoons Parsley (fresh)
- Salt (to taste )
- Pepper (to taste )
Instructions
- Prep for this salad by cooking eight pieces of crispy bacon, chopping onion, chopping cheddar cheese and thawing peas.
- Combine dressing ingredients (sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and vinegar) in a bowl, whisk to combine.
- Add peas, bacon, cubed cheese, onion and parsley. Stir to combine, making sure all the salad is coated with dressing.
- Refrigerate before serving.
Notes
- If your peas haven’t thawed completely before you assemble your salad, that is OK. Just make sure they are fully thawed before serving.
- This salad is good chilled and at room temperature.
- Store in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I made this yesterday as I was in a rut and my grandma also made pea salad and it was childhood in a bowl. That being said I used what I had and amped up the amount nutrition. Subbed out most Mayo and sour cream with Greek yogurt and a squirt of Mayo, added in chopped peppers and arugula and fresh spinach and halved the cheese. Also, used a garden heat vinegar (think Bloody Mary but In vinegar form). It was a grown up Version of the original. The original is AMAZING and this recipe as written is just like my grandmas, but mama needs to shed some pounds so here we are. Do your self a favor and make it and modify if you need too. You won’t be disappointed!
Thank you so much!! :))