Old Fashioned Pea Salad

Old Fashioned Pea Salad is a beloved classic recipe that has stood the test of time. This simple side dish is a crowd-pleaser, so it’s perfect to take along to a summer barbecue, baby showers, or even family picnics during the summer months.  

With its combination of tender sweet peas, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy dressing, this delicious salad is sure to become a favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Delightful Fresh Flavors: The combination of sweet peas, salty bacon, and creamy dressing creates a harmonious blend of flavors.

Versatile Ingredients: This recipe offers flexibility in ingredient choices, allowing for substitutions and variations based on your preferences.

Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this old-fashioned pea salad is a breeze to prepare.

Perfect Side Dish: This salad pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses, making it an ideal choice for summer barbecues, picnics, and potlucks.

Great for Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy the salad’s delicious flavors the next day.

Ingredients for Creamy Pea Salad

• Iceberg lettuce – chopped
• Red onion – chopped
• Hard-boiled eggs – quartered
• Frozen peas – thawed
• Grape tomatoes – halved
• Cheddar cheese – shredded
• Cooked bacon – roughly chopped
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dill – fresh or dried, if desired

Equipment and kitchen tools

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk

How to make this Easy Pea Salad Recipe

Step 1 – Start layering the salad with the chopped lettuce. You won’t need all of the lettuce; we will use more on other layers.

Step 2 – Add the red onion in a layer, focusing on the outside rim of the bowl.

Step 3 – Line the bowl for the next layer with boiled egg pieces and add the remaining eggs to the middle.

Step 4 – Sprinkle the bacon all around the outside of the bowl and fill the inside with more lettuce to make everything even.

Step 5 – Add the grape tomatoes.

Step 6 – Then, add the thawed frozen peas and for the final layer, add the shredded cheese.

To prepare the creamy dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar in a small bowl. Add salt, pepper, and dill (if desired) to taste. Top the salad with the dressing, evenly coating the ingredients.

Serve and enjoy the delicious pea salad!

Time-saving Tips for the Best Results

• For a slight crunch, use fresh peas instead of frozen peas.
• If preparing the salad ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add the dressing just before serving to maintain the salad’s freshness.
• To make hard-boiled eggs, place them in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Let them cook for 10 minutes, then transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. You can make these ahead of time.
• If you prefer a tangy twist, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the dressing.
• If you have a packaged shredded cheese that you like, you can use it in this recipe.
• Customize the salad by incorporating other vegetables, such as diced bell peppers or green onions, for added freshness and color.

Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of bacon, use real bacon bits or substitute it with crispy prosciutto for a unique twist.
• Experiment with different types of cheese, such as sharp cheddar, Gouda, or feta, to elevate the flavors of the salad.
• If you prefer a lighter dressing, replace the mayonnaise and sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
• Add a touch of heat by mixing in a small amount of hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
• Want to make this a healthy pea salad? You can omit the bacon and use a 50/50 greek yogur/ sour cream combo in place of the mayo.

FAQs about this Recipe

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