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Classic Creamy Old Fashioned Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheddar

A close-up of a bowl of creamy pea salad, mixed with cheese cubes and topped with crispy bacon pieces.
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This easy pea salad delivers the creamy, crunchy texture of a traditional Southern side dish, featuring sweet peas, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese. It is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans sweet green peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels and crumble it. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the drained peas, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, and chopped celery. Mix gently.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. This creates your tangy dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pea mixture. Fold everything together carefully until the ingredients are evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl and chill the pea salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to blend.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving this crowd-pleasing side dish.

Notes

  • You can make this salad ahead of time; it tastes even better after chilling for several hours.
  • For the best flavor, use frozen peas that have been thawed and thoroughly drained before mixing.
  • If you prefer a tangier dressing, slightly increase the amount of white vinegar.
  • This recipe works well for a crowd; simply double the ingredients for a large potluck.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/classic-creamy-pea-salad-recipe/