Easy Bacon Pea Salad: Your New Favorite Creamy, Crunchy Summer Side

Get ready to fall in love with a classic that never goes out of style: Easy Bacon Pea Salad. This delightful dish is more than just a side; it’s a celebration of textures and flavors, combining the satisfying pop of sweet peas with salty, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s truly one of our family’s all-time favorite summer salads, versatile enough to accompany anything hot off the grill, or shine as a light, satisfying lunch on its own.

Why This Bacon Pea Salad Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

I confess, salads and I share a deep connection, especially those wonderful marinated varieties. You know the kind I mean – the ones that show up at every late spring and summer gathering, brimming with flavor. Whether they’re bathed in a vibrant oil-and-vinegar dressing or a rich mayonnaise base, these salads somehow taste even better the day after they’re made. Think macaroni salad, potato salad, corn salad… and yes, that glorious pea salad you see before you.

My fondness for peas dates back to childhood. Even as a notoriously picky eater, peas were always a welcome sight at the dinner table. There was something undeniably fun about the little “POP!” sensation when biting into them. I loved them so much that I’ve been known to sneak handfuls of frozen peas straight from the bag as a quick, cooling snack during the sweltering dog days of summer. This lifelong appreciation makes creating and enjoying a pea-centric dish like this one an absolute joy.

The inspiration for this particular masterpiece came from my talented friend Amy’s pea salad recipe. When it appeared in my feed, I knew instantly I had to try it. And try it I did! The first batch was absolutely glorious, a testament to the simple elegance of a well-made pea salad. But my love for peas, and perhaps a touch of culinary adventurousness, led to a second batch the very next day. This time, I decided to elevate it with a generous amount of crispy bacon, a boost of sharp cheddar, and a bit more onion for an extra layer of crunch and flavor. The result? Pure magic. We devoured the entire batch in a matter of hours, a clear sign of its irresistible appeal!

Yes, I’ve done the math. I’m well aware of the impressive quantity of peas consumed in those two days. A temporary, self-imposed moratorium on pea salad was declared in our home – but only temporarily!

But seriously, people (or “pea-ple,” if you will!), Easy Bacon Pea Salad is one of those culinary pairings that just makes sense. It’s like Rocky and Bullwinkle, hand and glove, or, in this case, peas and… bacon! The combination is simply meant to be. I’ve been guilty of eating it directly from the container with a spoon, and I guarantee you’d be hard-pressed to find a tastier or easier side dish for virtually any grilled, roasted, or broiled meat or fish. It truly complements everything from a succulent Easter ham to a casual weeknight chicken dinner.

The Perfect Harmony of Flavors and Textures

What makes this salad so incredibly good? It’s the delightful interplay of textures and tastes: the satisfying sweet “POP” of the peas, the rich and creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, the mild crunch of finely diced red onion, and, of course, the salty, crispy bits of bacon. While it tastes fantastic immediately after being stirred together, the flavors deepen and meld beautifully after a day or two in the refrigerator. This makes it an absolutely ideal make-ahead side dish for a variety of occasions:

• Easter Ham dinners
• Summer picnics and barbecues
• Memorial Day and Labor Day festivities
• Holiday gatherings
• Casual weeknight meals
• Potlucks and family reunions

It’s truly easy peasy, my pea-loving friends!

Expert Tips for Making the Best Bacon Pea Salad

1. Choose Your Peas Wisely: I wholeheartedly recommend using frozen peas that have been thawed overnight in the refrigerator. Their texture and fresh flavor are far superior to canned peas, which can often be mushy and bland. If you’re fortunate enough to have fresh peas, blanch them briefly as you would for freezing, then chill them thoroughly before incorporating them into your salad. This ensures they retain their vibrant color and delightful crispness.
2. Serving Versatility: Don’t limit this salad to just a side! We recently enjoyed generous scoops of Easy Bacon Pea Salad served over a bed of tossed greens, and it was a revelation. The best part? No additional dressing was needed, as the pea salad’s creamy base provided all the moisture and flavor required for a complete and satisfying meal. It makes an excellent light lunch!
3. The Magic of Resting: While delicious straight away, this salad truly shines after its flavors have had a chance to meld. For optimal taste, allow it to sit, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even better, overnight. It will keep well for up to three days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in our house! Just give it a gentle stir from top to bottom before serving to redistribute all those wonderful ingredients.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Your Bacon Pea Salad

Gathering the right tools makes any recipe smoother. Here are a few basics you’ll need for this delicious pea salad:

• Wooden spoon: Perfect for mixing ingredients gently without crushing the peas.
• Chef’s Knife: Essential for dicing your bacon and onion with precision.
• Cutting board: A sturdy surface for all your chopping needs.
• Storage container: Crucial for allowing the flavors to meld and for keeping leftovers fresh.

Beyond Pea Salad: More Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of the flavors in this Bacon Pea Salad, you might enjoy exploring other pea-infused dishes or perfect companions for your next meal:

Here’s another great pea recipe to try:

• One Skillet Beef Meatballs with Rice and Peas

And here are some excellent main dish recipes to serve alongside your irresistible Bacon Pea Salad:

• Creamy Buffalo Chicken for Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
• Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf
• Slow-cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
• Big Batch Greek Lemon Garlic Chicken
• Oven Baked Crispy Chicken

Bacon Pea Salad Recipe Card

Bacon Pea Salad

Recipe by Rebecca Lindamood

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

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Adapted from and with thanks to the talented Amy of She Wears Many Hats. The sweet POP of the pea, creamy mayonnaise dressing, crunchy mild red onion, and crispy bacon taste great right after being stirred together, but they taste even better after having sat in the refrigerator for a day, allowing the flavors to fully develop.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of bacon, cooked according to package instructions, drained and crumbled or finely chopped
• 2 pounds frozen peas, thawed in the refrigerator overnight
• 3/4 cup coarsely grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Stir together all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
2. Serve immediately, or (preferably) transfer the salad to a tightly covered container (such as Tupperware or Gladware) and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. For the best taste, chill for several hours or overnight.
3. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir from top to bottom to ensure all ingredients are well combined and flavors are evenly distributed.
4. Enjoy this delicious salad within 3 days of preparation.

Video Overview

Nutrition Information (Estimate)

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

• Calories: 312 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg
• Sodium: 454 mg
• Potassium: 272 mg
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Vitamin A: 690 IU
• Vitamin C: 30.6 mg
• Calcium: 73 mg
• Iron: 1.3 mg

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This post was originally published on April 7th, 2014, and has been comprehensively updated on May 11th, 2017, with an instructional video, improved cook’s notes, and expanded content to provide even more value for our readers.