Pea Salad with Bacon Recipe - Balancing Motherhood (2024)

Creamy bacon pea salad is a refreshing side dish and the perfect comfort food. Made with frozen peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onion, then tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, this simple salad is a great side for the summer or holiday meal.

This pea salad recipe is just like the one you grew up loving, with a few fun ingredient additions and twists!

Deliciously Simple Pea Salad with Bacon

This simple pea salad is so good. I love making this for a quick snack or lunch because it just tastes so refreshing and delicious.

And in that same breath, I have to say that I love making this for BBQs and gatherings with friends as well because it’s just one of those perfect carry-in dishes.

Plus, if you have kids, this salad is a super simple way to have them eat more veggies, fast.

There’s just something about the combination of the peas and the bacon that will have them coming back time and time again. Filling our bodies with more veggies can easily be done when you whip up this simple pea salad recipe.

Be certain to check out my Bisquick Sausage Balls as well because it’s another super simple recipe that results in huge flavor!

Pea and Bacon Salad Ingredients

All of the ingredients that are in the first group below are what is needed to make the dressing.

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper

Frozen peas – Has to be frozen peas for this recipe, not canned!

Bacon – Everyone loves the addition of bacon so don’t leave this out.

Cheddar cheese – Change up the cheese if you want to change up the flavor!

Red onion – The flavor of a red onion goes perfectly!

How to make Creamy Pea Salad

The simple salad recipe takes minimal time and effort but results in huge flavor and taste!

In a small mixing bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate while you make the salad.

In a large mixing bowl, place the peas, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and onion. Toss to combine.

Pour the salad dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Serve cold.

Changing up the dressing for Bacon Pea Salad

If you don’t have the ingredients to make the dressing from scratch, the other simple ingredient that people use tends to be ranch dressing. Just be careful if you do use this because it can overpower very quickly and be too thick.

Pea Salad Recipe with Bacon Variations

The other reason that this recipe is awesome is that you can easily alter it to be more in line with what you like to eat.

Removing the bacon can be a way to keep this salad vegetarian and lower the overall fat content, too.

Add in diced jalapeños for a quick punch of heat. (Be certain to tell people this so that they know before eating it otherwise they might get a very hot surprise!)

As mentioned above, swap out the homemade dressing and use ranch dressing instead.

Vary up the type of shredded cheese that you use to add in a fun new flavor.

Adding in more veggies to your Creamy Pea Salad

If you do decide to spruce up this recipe and add in even more veggies, make certain to add in ones that are crunchy and hold their shape.

Chopped bell peppers would be a great addition as would diced cucumber, too!

As long as you load in the flavor and healthy ingredients, you have quite a bit of wiggle room to change up the flavors or keep it the same!

What to serve with Pea and Bacon Salad

Pea and bacon salad pairs well with grilled chicken breasts or salmon fillets. It also goes along other sides like grilled vegetables or a mixed green salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette.

How to store this Pea Salad with Bacon Recipe

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ensuring the lid is tightly sealed to maintain freshness and prevent the dressing from becoming watery. For best results and to preserve the salad’s texture and flavor, wait to add the dressing it until just before serving. Keeping the dressing separate allows you to toss it with the salad right before serving, ensuring it stays crisp and flavorful. I

Freezing Bacon Pea Salad

I’m going to say that it’s not recommended. Once you have frozen peas and then unthaw them, I don’t recommend turning around and freezing them again.

Wait to make it fresh and then just save the rest for leftovers to eat throughout the week.

Looking for more delicious recipes? Check these out!

• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Grape Salad Recipe
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad