Pea Salad Recipe Without Bacon

long pin for pea salad

long pin for classic green pea salad

This easy green Pea Salad is an old fashioned classic recipe served cold and enjoyed all year round. Made with bacon, cheddar cheese, red onions, and a sweet dressing, all in one bowl and in only 15 minutes!

close up of pea salad mixed together in serving bowl

Oh my sweet baby pea lovin' heart, this classic pea salad speaks to me on so many levels.

I'm all about the old fashioned recipes lately, and this green pea salad is no exception.

Another staple at potlucks, baby showers, and luncheons all across the Midwest and Southern states, you'd be hard pressed not to find it served at any type of gathering. And for good reason – it's crazy easy and super delicious!

pea salad ingredients in glass bowl

Pea…salad? I know. Sounds weird, right? But it's incredibly fantastic.

What ingredients are needed for this Pea Salad Recipe?

One of the reasons this pea salad recipe is so popular (other than its wonderful texture and taste) is how easy it is! You only need a handful of ingredients and it comes together in minutes.

Peas – the star of this salad are peas, of course. I always use frozen petite peas, which are sweet, colorful, and have a slight crunch. You can use canned peas if you want, but just keep in mind that they don't look as nice and because of their softer texture, they don't hold up as well.
Bacon – the end. Lol. Just kidding. Salty bacon adds another level of awesome flavor and also balances out the sweetness of the peas and dressing. I cook mine in the oven and then dice or crumble it. You can totally use real bacon bits, though, to make this even easier!
Cheese – my preference for this salad is sharp cheddar cheese, for the best flavor. I also buy a block and cube it about the same size as the peas, but many pea salads use shredded cheese, which is totally fine, too!
Onion – I always use red onion for this pea salad. I love the taste and color.
Dressing – this is really the other star of the show. It's a simple mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Like so many classic salads, it has a sweet and tangy flavor that cannot be denied! Don't freak out over the sugar – it's a necessary ingredient to balance out the vinegar and it's only a small amount.

portion of pea salad on white plate with fork

Do you serve this Pea Salad cold?

Yep! This sweet pea salad is a recipe kept in the refrigerator and served cold.

How To Store Leftovers

Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this salad, however. The dressing will not hold up very well, and the peas and bacon will get too mushy once thawed.

2 picture pin for classic pea salad

I've served this pea salad so many times over the years to friends, whose first reaction is "ew" – and then they ask for the recipe after one bite!

Try this side salad at your next gathering and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Other Recipes with Sweet Peas we absolutely love!

Creamy Pasta with Bacon and Peas (this is a 20 minute skillet dish, served hot for dinner!)
Meatball Rice and Pea Skillet
Chicken Pot Pie Noodle Skilet

Other Tried and True Salad Recipes!

Deviled Ham Salad
Delicatessen Fruit Salad
Creamy Waldorf Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Easy Egg Salad
The Best Chicken Salad

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don't forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and YouTube !

close up of pea salad mixed together in serving bowl

Classic Pea Salad

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings: 8 (1/3 cup)

1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups frozen peas , thawed
1/3 cup diced red onion
3/4 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese (approximately the same size as the peas)
8 slices bacon , cooked crispy and crumbled

Put sour cream, mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; whisk to combine.
Add peas, onion, cheese, and bacon to the bowl; gently stir to coat completely.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with some crispy bacon.

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pea salad, pea salad recipe