Description
A tangy and creamy pea salad combining crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a flavorful dressing made with sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sweetness. This easy-to-make chilled salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon
- 8 slices bacon, diced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Salad
- 4 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 3/4 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese (cubed approximately same size as peas)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it is crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, coarse salt, and pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Combine salad ingredients: Add the thawed peas, diced red onion, cubed sharp cheddar cheese, and the crispy bacon to the dressing bowl. Gently stir until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, optionally garnish with additional crispy bacon pieces. Serve cold and enjoy.
Notes
- Using frozen peas gives a nice texture and sweetness; make sure they are fully thawed and drained before mixing.
- The bacon can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and substitute with smoked tempeh or smoked paprika for flavor.
- The salad tastes best chilled, so don’t skip the refrigeration step.
- Adjust the sugar and vinegar to taste if you prefer a sweeter or tangier dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pea salad, bacon salad, creamy pea salad, side dish, picnic salad, easy salad recipe
