This English pea salad is an absolute game changer when it comes to delicious, vibrant dishes that are packed with flavor. Easy to make, healthy, and it only takes about 20 minutes to prepare!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Not only is this English pea salad recipe easy to prepare using pantry staples like frozen peas and mayonnaise, but the blend of creamy, crunchy ingredients makes for a dish that has become an all-time family favorite.
With its bright colors and delicious flavor combination it's also perfect for when you're hosting outdoor gatherings like barbeques or potlucks! Best of all though, it's a quick One Bowl salad that simple, affordable, and delicious.
What is English peas?
English peas are commonly known as sweet peas or English peas. You have to shell the pods and empty the peas out. The peas are sweet and are delicious raw or cooked. English peas are what you typically see canned or frozen.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- What is English peas?
- English Pea Salad Ingredients
- How to Make English Pea Salad
- Serving Suggestions
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Storage
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
English Pea Salad Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to gather up for this old fashioned pea salad:
- Frozen Green peas - get the 2 lb bag.
- Cheddar Cheese - you will want to get the mild cheddar, or Colby, unless you like the sharpness of Sharp Cheddar. Cube it up into ¼ to ½" pieces.
- Real Bacon Bit - You buy these already cooked and crumbled. Know what is also good? Leftover Ham, cubed!
- Red Onion - Dice or sliver a medium sized red onion.
- Mayonnaise - This will make this an indoor salad on super hot summer days, to make sure the mayonnaise stays safe. Or keep the salad bowl on a larger bowl of ice.
- Sour Cream
- Lemon Juice - Fresh squeezed from a lemon.
- Honey - Just a touch of your favorite honey.
- Dill - Fresh minced dill weed.
- Salt
- Pepper
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make English Pea Salad
You will use one bowl when making this salad, making clean up a snap!
Heat and Cool the Green Peas
- Set the frozen peas in the refrigerator the night before to defrost. Empty into a large mixing bowl. If your green peas are still frozen, defrost in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cube the cheese and lemon juice and to the bowl of cooled green peas.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Add Remaining Ingredients
- Add the Real Bacon Bits, slivered red onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, minced dill weed, salt, and pepper to the bowl of green peas and cheese cubes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Mix and Serve
- Mix well so that all ingredients are coated with the sour cream and mayonnaise dressing. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you're looking for a light side salad or something more substantial to serve as part of dinner, English pea salad is sure to please everyone in your household. Serve it with our Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs, or with some Broiled Chicken Thighs, either way, it's a perfect match.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
Some people substitute the bacon for diced ham! This English pea salad is absolutely amazing that way also.
Variations
Here are a few scrumptious variations using this English pea salad recipe as a base:
- Macaroni Pea Salad - Add 4 cups of cooked pasta shells or elbows to the peas and dressing. Toss, chill, and serve.
- Ham and Pea Salad - Replace the bacon with ¼ lb cubed ham. Add to the mixture and toss, chill, and serve.
Additional mix in ideas:
- Chopped Hard Boiled Eggs
- Diced Red Bell Pepper
- Sliced Green Onions
- Garlic Powder
- Diced Celery
Storage
Store any leftover salad that has been in a climate controlled environment in your refrigerator, covered. If your English pea salad has been on an outdoor buffet, it is not usually recommended to reserve, depending on the outdoor temperatures.
Tips for Success
- Keep chilled until ready to serve.
- For outdoor serving: Place the bowl of English Pea Salad in a container of ice to keep it chilled and prevent the mayonnaise from going 'off' on hot days.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, unfortunately, mayonnaise based dressings and salads separate when frozen.
No, canned green peas have been fully cooked and pasteurized and are quite soft. You won't get the same crunch and pop that frozen peas still have after they have been warmed up.
Yes, in the summer if you have fresh dill handy, it is even better than dried dill though!
Yes, you can make this old fashioned pea salad up to two days ahead of time. Just keep it covered and chilled in the refrigerator. Give it a good mix before serving.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
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📖 Recipe
English Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 2 lb Peas frozen green peas
- 8 oz Cheddar cheese cubed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 3 oz Real Bacon Bits or ¼ lb cubed Ham
- 1 medium red onion slivered or diced
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dill weed preferably fresh, but dried is fine
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or more to taste
Instructions
- Set the frozen peas in the refrigerator the night before to defrost. Empty into a large mixing bowl. If your green peas are still frozen, defrost in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes.2 lb Peas
- Cube the cheese and lemon juice and to the bowl of defrosted green peas.8 oz Cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Add the Real Bacon Bits, slivered red onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, minced dill weed, salt, and pepper to the bowl of green peas and cheese cubes.3 oz Real Bacon Bits, 1 medium red onion, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon dill weed, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Mix well so that all ingredients are coated with the sour cream and mayonnaise dressing. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Keep chilled until ready to serve.
- For outdoor serving: Place the bowl of English Pea Salad in a container of ice to keep it chilled and prevent the mayonnaise from going 'off' on hot days.
Nutrition
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