🥓🫛 Creamy Bacon Pea Salad — Crunchy, Fresh & Loaded with Flavor
This classic Bacon Pea Salad is the perfect combination of sweet peas, crispy bacon, creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and savory cheese. It’s a refreshing side dish for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, holidays, or an easy family dinner.
6
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 1–2 hours
- Total Time: About 1½ hours
- Servings: 8
🛒 Ingredients
🫛 Salad
- 5 cups frozen peas, thawed (do not cook)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup sliced green onions (optional)
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
🥣 Creamy Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (optional)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble.
- Thaw peas completely and drain any excess moisture.
- Chop vegetables and eggs if using.
2. Make the Dressing
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Ranch seasoning
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Garlic powder
- Pepper
- Salt
Mix until smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the Salad
- Add peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, celery, and eggs to a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the mixture.
- Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Chill & Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving.
- Sprinkle extra bacon and cheese on top before serving.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Perfect with:
- 🍔 Burgers
- 🌭 Hot dogs
- 🍗 Fried chicken
- 🥩 Grilled steak
- 🍖 BBQ ribs
- 🥪 Sandwiches
- 🧺 Picnic spreads
💡 Tips & Variations
- Add chopped pickles for a tangy twist.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack or mozzarella.
- Add diced ham for extra protein.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version.
- Add sunflower seeds or chopped almonds for extra crunch.
- Make it a day ahead—the flavors get even better.
🧊 Storage
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 3–4 days.
- Stir before serving if the dressing thickens.
- Not recommended for freezing due to the creamy dressing.
🍴 Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Creamy Bacon Pea Salad is a crowd-pleasing classic—cool, crunchy, smoky, and creamy with the perfect balance of textures and flavors. 🥓✨