Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheddar

Name: Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheddar
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces frozen peas, thawed and drained; 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded; 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

A refreshing and crunchy side dish that brings together sweet peas, savory bacon, and sharp cheese.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

10 minutes

Total

1 hour 25 minutes

Serves

This pea salad is a classic favorite for summer cookouts and family dinners. It has such a lovely balance of textures, combining the snap of fresh peas with salty bacon and a tangy dressing that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

My best tip is to make sure your peas are completely thawed and drained before mixing. If there is too much water left on them, the dressing will get thin and lose that wonderful creamy consistency we all love.

🧺 Ingredients

16 ounces frozen peas, thawed and drained
6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Place the thawed peas in a large mixing bowl.
2
Add the crumbled bacon, cubed cheddar cheese, and diced red onion to the peas.
3
In a small separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4
Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
5
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving so the flavors have time to mingle.

💡 Tips

You can store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It tastes even better the next day after the flavors settle, so feel free to make it ahead of time for your next gathering.

#Salad #Side Dish #Easy Recipe #Potluck #Bacon

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