Are you searching for the ultimate, crowd-pleasing side dish that requires absolutely zero cooking time on a hot day?
This classic Bacon Pea Salad is a nostalgic, refreshing masterpiece that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
It is the absolute perfect accompaniment for summer barbecues, neighborhood potlucks, or heavy holiday dinners.
By utilizing simple, budget-friendly ingredients, you can easily throw together a restaurant-quality deli salad in mere minutes.
This dish is specifically designed for busy home cooks who need a reliable, make-ahead side that travels beautifully.
This incredibly refreshing Bacon Pea Salad is the ultimate make-ahead side dish for summer barbecues and potlucks! Sweet peas, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar are tossed in a rich, tangy dressing for a perfectly balanced flavor explosion.
Ingredients 1x2x3x
- 4 cups frozen peas thawed
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or cubed, 2 oz
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion or sweet white onion, more to taste
- Dressing:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, granulated sugar, and white vinegar until completely smooth. Season the mixture with the salt and black pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the completely thawed and dried peas, cooked bacon crumbles, diced onion, and cheddar cheese directly to the bowl with the dressing.
- Coat: Gently stir and fold the ingredients together using a rubber spatula until the peas and bacon are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to marry.
- Serve: Before serving, give the salad one final gentle stir. Taste the mixture and season with additional salt and black pepper if desired. Serve cold!
Notes
Pro-Tip: If you are making this salad a full 24 hours in advance, hold back half of the crispy bacon crumbles and stir them in right before serving. This guarantees that your bacon retains its absolute maximum, shatteringly crisp texture for your guests!