Description
Classic Southern Pea Salad is a refreshing, flavorful side dish combining tender green peas with sharp cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfectly chilled, it makes a great addition to picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen green peas (thawed and drained)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (cubed or shredded)
- 1/3 cup red onion (finely diced)
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon (crumbled)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the thawed and drained green peas, cubed or shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced red onion, and crumbled cooked bacon. Gently mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pea mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly without crushing the peas or cheese.
- Chill to Blend Flavors: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve and Garnish: Once chilled, give the salad a gentle stir. Serve cold, garnished optionally with extra crumbled bacon or additional shredded cheddar cheese as desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute the sour cream and mayonnaise with all Greek yogurt.
- Add chopped boiled eggs or diced pickles to enhance textures and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southern American
