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Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

English Pea Salad Recipe

Published: Aug 2, 2022 Last Updated: Nov 4, 2022 by Marye 1140 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

This creamy english pea salad recipe is full of flavor from the sweet peas, crunchy bacon, onion, and sharp Cheddar cheese all mixed into a creamy dressing. It's a classic potluck recipe.
Total time 1 hour 10 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Pea salad with text overlay for pinterest

This is a classic southern recipe that you'll find at family reunions and all kinds of summer gatherings.

Pea salad with crispy bacon on top.
This delicious summer side dish is made with simple ingredients.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • English Pea Salad
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • So creamy!
  • Super easy!
  • Make ahead!
  • Perfect for summer potlucks, family gatherings, and picnics!

Sweet petite peas, salty cheddar, crisp salty bacon, and mild red onions are blanketed with a simple mayonnaise dressing in this easy green pea salad recipe.

Add a little smoked paprika and you're ready to go!

Even if you're not a fan of peas you need to try this at least classic southern side dish at least once.

🧾 Ingredients

You'll need the following for this delicious pea salad.

Labeled ingredients for pea salad.

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Step by step images showing how to make this recipe.
  1. Mix the peas, onion, and cheese together in a large bowl
  2. Blend the mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper together until smooth.
  3. Stir the mayonnaise mixture into the pea mixture and chill for 1 hour or more.
  4. Just before serving stir in the crispy bacon.

🥫 Storage

Store leftover pea and cheese salad in an airtight container, or covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to four days.

This recipe does not freeze well.

💭 Things to know

Expert tip: Don't leave this delicious side dish at room temperature more than an hour or two. Mayonnaise is notorious for going bad in the heat during the summer months. Throw it out if you're not sure.

  • Summer is hot! Recipes like this classic pea salad were developed because they are quick, easy, and aren't going to heat up the kitchen. If you know you're going to make it in the afternoon you'd cook extra bacon in the morning while it was still cool - problem solved.
  • This is delicious with smoked Cheddar instead of sharp.
  • Some people like boiled eggs chopped up in theirs. I do not but if you do - go for it!
  • Using small Cheddar cheese cubes already cut will save time.
  • This classic creamy pea salad has the best flavor after it's been chilled a couple of hours.
  • There's no need to use thawed peas. I just add them frozen.
  • Creamy pea salad works as a light main dish because the peas and cheddar provide plenty of protein. You could even add grilled chicken.
  • Garnish with chopped green onion for extra flavor.
  • Stir in some sweet pickle relish if you like.
  • Try these copycat French's Fried Onions sprinkled on top just before serving.
Closeup image of the salad showing all the components.
This easy pea salad is a classic side dish.

👩🏻‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this southern English pea salad recipe.

Do you have to cook the peas?

No. I use frozen peas and just dump them in with the rest of the ingredients while they are still frozen. They stay a gorgeous green color and retain some of their texture. Now, if you were to use fresh peas right from your garden you'd want to steam those until they were crisp-tender. Otherwise no worries.

Can I use canned peas?

Please no. You "could" but you would have a bland, starchy, mushy, faded dish that resembles a good southern pea salad about as much as Target resembles Neiman Marcus. Go with the frozen - I promise you'll be glad you did.

Can I use grated cheese?

Again, you "can" but the results aren't nearly as magnificent as they are when you use small cubes of Cheddar. I think cubes of cheese looks better and it doesn't get lost in the peas.

Can I make this pea salad recipe ahead of time?

You can make it up to 2 days ahead of time but don't put the bacon in until right before serving. Also, I like to keep extra frozen peas on hand so that if it gets a little watery I can add more peas to it on the day of the picnic.

Does English pea salad have to be refrigerated?

Yes it does. Because it contains mayonnaise you'll want to keep it cold. If you're doing a potluck outside then keep the bowl in an ice chest until you're ready to serve it.

📚 Related recipes

  • Macaroni salad is the old fashioned recipe you remember!
  • We love this crunchy Frito corn salad in the summer and fall.
  • Classic potato salad is another one that shows up at all the potlucks.
  • What to Serve with Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
  • Pasta con Broccoli
  • 41 Sides To Serve With Hash Brown Casserole
  • Crispy Fried Potatoes

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Bacon Wrapped Grilled Chicken
  • Garlic Bread Sticks
  • No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie

📞 The last word

There's just something about this summer side dish that people either love or hate - and I haven't met many that hate it.

I hope you'll try this great side dish the next time you grill burgers or need something last minute to take to a potluck or picnic. It's just so easy and it's never too early or too late to start making great memories.

My mom's cucumber salad and creamy potato salad are both summer favorites, too!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overhead view of a bowl of pea salad
4.62 from 18 votes

English Pea Salad

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This creamy english pea salad recipe is full of flavor from the sweet peas, crunchy bacon, onion, and sharp Cheddar cheese all mixed into a creamy dressing. It's a classic potluck recipe.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings:12
Calories:281
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • 4 quart mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces frozen green peas, plus one on hand in case you need it
  • 1 cup mayonnaise, I suggest Hellmann's
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • 1 ¼ cup Cheddar cheese, diced small - you can use mild, medium, or sharp.
  • 6 bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • Smoked paprika, for garnish

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Mix the mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl - set aside.
  • Add the frozen peas, diced onion, and diced cheese to a large serving bowl.
  • Spoon the mayonnaise mixture over the top and stir gently to coat the ingredients with the dressing.
  • Cover tightly and chill for at least one hour or up to 2 days.
  • Just before serving stir in the crispy bacon pieces and dust the top with smoked paprika.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

Storage:
Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This recipe does not freeze well.
Tips:
  • Don't leave this delicious side dish at room temperature more than an hour or two. Mayonnaise is notorious for going bad in the heat.
  • This is delicious with smoked Cheddar instead of sharp.
  • Using small Cheddar cheese cubes already cut will save time.
  • This easy salad has the best flavor after it's been chilled a couple of hours.
  • There's no need to use thawed peas. I just add them frozen.
  • Creamy pea salad works as a main dish because the peas and cheddar provide plenty of protein.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 409mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 11.8mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 0.6mg

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    First published May 14, 2019. Last updated August 2, 2022 for better images.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SUSAN J TURCSANY

      May 16, 2022 at 7:48 am

      5 stars
      This was great! I never thought to make a cold salad with peas. I had all the ingredients on hand so decided to give it a try. Was pleasantly surprised, wasn't sure that I would like it. I used Hellman's mayo, can't stand miracle whip. Will definitely make this again.

      Reply
    2. Leslie Stevenson

      October 20, 2021 at 12:30 am

      5 stars
      This is a good one. I made this for supper...and only this. We were very happy. Thank you for sharing it with us.

      Reply
    3. Deborah L Eck

      August 23, 2021 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      I love this salad, my husband is getting closer! He loves the little baby peas, but we are having a hard time finding them, where do you get your baby peas? Thanks

      Reply
      • Marye

        August 24, 2021 at 2:05 pm

        I use frozen. 🙂

    4. Tracy Arrington

      July 30, 2020 at 11:08 am

      5 stars
      Oh yeah, 5 stars for sure. Loved this recipe, followed it as written. The crispy bacon element is outstanding. Even better than your macaroni salad with the green olives in it, which is pretty dang good also. Thanks, these recipes are now part of my summer repertoire.

      Reply
      • Marye

        July 30, 2020 at 11:44 am

        I am so glad you like it! I love this stuff!

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