Pea Salad with Bacon
Pea Salad with Bacon is a creamy, crunchy, and flavorful side dish perfect for parties and family gatherings. It artfully combines fresh or frozen peas, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing with apple cider vinegar and a touch of sweetness. Easy to prepare and customizable, this salad is a crowd-pleasing delight that tastes even better when chilled.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 6 slices bacon strips
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Cook the Bacon: Fry bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Peas: For fresh peas, blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then drain. For frozen peas, thaw under cold running water and drain well to retain color and texture.
- Mix the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar or honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss peas, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour dressing over the mixture and fold carefully until evenly coated without crushing the peas.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled for optimal freshness and taste.
Notes
- Use thick-cut, high-quality bacon for the best flavor and texture.
- Gently fold ingredients to keep peas intact and maintain crunch.
- Chill the salad for at least one hour to enhance flavor blending.
- Adjust the sweetness in the dressing based on pea sweetness by tasting before mixing.
- Drain excess grease from bacon thoroughly to avoid a soggy salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: pea salad, bacon salad, summer side dish, creamy salad, party dish, crowd pleaser, gluten free, easy salad