Easy English Pea Salad
This Easy English Pea Salad recipe is super simple and full of flavor! It’s the perfect side dish for family dinners or parties, and the best part is you can make it in just 10 minutes—no cooking needed!
If you’re heading to an Easter gathering, summer BBQ, bridal luncheon, baby shower, or potluck, this old-fashioned English Pea Salad is the perfect dish to share. It’s quick to make, delicious, and versatile enough for any occasion. This classic pea salad is a favorite that everyone will love.
If you’re looking for even more simple and delicious salads, be sure to try my easy classic macaroni salad with peas, broccoli salad with bacon, pears and cheese salad, and layered southern cornbread salad.
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💗Why You’ll Love This Salad
- This green pea salad with bacon is super simple to make with very little prep and no cooking. It’s perfect for last-minute gatherings and as a quick holiday side. I usually make this salad for Easter because it pairs well with ham.
- Frozen Peas are sprinkled with cheddar cheese and salty bacon bits, creating a delicious flavor that works well together.
- This recipe for pea salad gets better the longer it sits and is easy to double.
🛒Ingredients Needed
The ingredients for this classic pea salad are simple. You probably have most of them on hand already.
Frozen Peas—I prefer to use frozen peas, which I thaw slightly before adding to the salad. I don’t recommend using canned peas for this recipe, as they tend to make this pea salad watery.
Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese is my first choice, but swap out the cheese for your favorite. If you are looking for more cheese varieties, be sure to check out this link.
Purple/ Red Onion – A white, yellow, or Vidalia onion will also work in this recipe. Use what you have in your pantry. Dice the onion small.
Bacon Bits – Bacon bits help to make this dish come together fast. Feel free to cook bacon if so desired. You could also add some leftover ham.
Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise brings this salad recipe together.
Sour Cream – Sour Cream adds creaminess to the salad.
Apple Cider Vinegar – The tartness from the vinegar mixes well to form a tangy dressing.
Sugar – The sugar adds a nice balance to the dressing.
Salt and Black Pepper—Add these seasonings to taste. I sometimes add a little garlic powder.
📋Substitutions and Variations
Make it Southern: This recipe works well with leftover ham. I grew up eating ham and pea salad after a big holiday when we had leftovers.
Add Protein: I usually don’t make my pea salad with egg, but add some if you like.
Add other Vegetables and Herbs: I have seen several variations of this salad with celery, bell peppers, or dill. I like to keep it simple, and this combination of ingredients works well.
🔪How To Make This Recipe
This simple side dish is perfect for the summer months. This classic salad is super easy to make and is one of my go-to dishes when I’m in a hurry. It is a delicious and creamy Southern English pea salad that can be served immediately, but the dressing thickens when refrigerated.
Step 1: Thaw the peas in a colander by running cold water over them or allow them to thaw slightly while you prepare the ingredients.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 3: Mix the remaining ingredients well in a large bowl.
Step 4: Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
💭Pro Tips
- This English pea salad recipe is perfect to double or triple to serve a crowd. It is one dish that always disappears fast.
- Thaw the green peas before mixing with the other ingredients. This will prevent the salad from being watery.
- When shopping for peas, English peas are also known as green peas, shelling peas, or garden peas.
Easy Cold Salads like Southern Tomato Cracker Salad, Classic Macaroni Salad with frozen peas, and Strawberry Spinach Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing have endured for a good reason—they are so simple to make!
🍽How To Serve and Store Leftovers
Any leftover English Pea Salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe. You may need to add another spoonful of mayonnaise or ranch dressing when serving as leftovers.
Serve this easy pea salad with old-fashioned salmon patties, grilled hamburgers with oats, or brown sugar bbq ribs at your next cookout.
This dish is a Southern classic, and we serve it at Easter and other holidays with other Southern side dishes, such as Southern Potato salad Recipe, Pineapple Bread Casserole, and Baked Beans with Bacon. I like to serve it during the week with Southern Salmon Croquettes or Southern Pan Fried Pork Chops.
❔Recipe FAQs
Yes. Frozen peas from the grocery store are fine to eat without cooking. Thaw them slightly before adding them to the salad to prevent it from becoming watery.
I do not recommend freezing this salad. The texture of the salad will not be the same after it thaws, and the dressing will separate.
Pea salad is usually served at potlucks or family gatherings. It’s fast and easy, with few ingredients, and can be tossed together and stored in the refrigerator. It’s a Southern side dish and one of my favorites.
More Easy Salad Recipes
If you tried this Easy English Pea Salad recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Easy English Pea Salad
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- Salt & Black Pepper to taste
- 13 oz. – 16 oz. Frozen Peas thawed, drained
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Purple/Red Onion chopped
- ¼ cup Real Bacon Bits
Instructions
- Thaw the peas in a colander by running cold water over them or allow them to thaw slightly while you prepare the ingredients.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Mix the remaining ingredients well in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Delish and so easy
Sounds delicious. Going to try it. Thanks for the recipe.
This is a super easy salad and perfect for any time of the year! Always a winner and disappears fast!
This pea salad is absolutely delicious and it will be a regular at my house! Thank you Gina for sharing
You are so welcome! I’m glad you loved the recipe!