Easy Bacon Pea Salad is one of our family’s all-time favourite summer salads. It goes well with anything from the grill but it also makes a great standalone light lunch. Enjoy!
Salad and I are like *THIS*. That probably comes at no surprise at this point. What you may not know, though, is that I have an especially soft spot for marinated salads.
You know which ones I mean… The ones that fill bowl after bowl at late spring and summer parties. The ones in oil and vinegar or mayonnaise based dressings that become even tastier the day after they’re made.
Macaroni salad, potato salad, corn salad, and baby… that pea salad you see in the picture above.
Even when I was a picky kid, peas were always a friendly food at the dinner table. A bowl of peas meant I had something I could dig into with abandon.
I always loved the little POP of biting into peas. I love them so much that I’ve even been known to dig into the bag of frozen peas for a fast, cold snack in the dog days of summer.
When I saw my friend Amy’s Pea Salad pop up in my feed reader a couple of weeks ago, it was a no-brainer that I was going to make it. I did. And it was glorious.
The next day when I made my second batch (I told you I liked peas), I added a bunch of crispy bacon and upped the cheddar and onion a bit and loved it so much that we polished off the whole batch in a matter of hours.
Yes. I’ve done the math. I am completely aware of how many pounds of peas we ate in two days. I self-imposed a two-day moratorium on pea-salad in the house.
But PEOPLE! (Pea-ple?) Easy Bacon Pea salad? Well, it’s like hand and glove, Rocky and Bullwinkle, peas and, er, bacon! It just goes together. I haven’t done anything but eat it directly from the tupperware container with a spoon, yet, but I guarantee you couldn’t find a tastier or easier side dish for just about any grilled, roasted, or broiled meat or fish.
The sweet POP of the pea, creamy mayonnaise dressing, crunchy mild red onion, and crispy bacon taste great right after being stirred together, but they taste even better after having sat in the refrigerator for a day, making this an IDEAL side dish to serve with an Easter Ham, summer picnics, Labor Day festivities and everything else the whole dad-burned year. Easy peasy, my pea-ple!
Cook’s Notes:
- I prefer to use frozen peas that have thawed overnight in the refrigerator. I prefer the texture and flavour of them over canned peas. If you have fresh peas, blanch them as you would to freeze them and use them after they’ve chilled before using them to make your Easy Bacon Pea Salad.
- We served scoops of Easy Bacon Pea Salad on top of tossed salad the other day and loved it. Bonus: No dressing necessary.
- This can be served immediately after stirring it together, but tastes even better if allowed to sit, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for an hour or up to three days. It should be eaten within 3 days of being made, which is NOT a problem. Trust me.
Use this to make Easy Bacon Pea Salad:
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Love Bacon Pea Salad? Try these!
Here’s another great pea recipe: One Skillet Beef Meatballs with Rice and Peas, and here are excellent recipes to serve alongside Bacon Pea Salad: Creamy Buffalo Chicken for Instant Pot or Slow Cooker, Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf, Slow-cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork, Big Batch Greek Lemon Garlic Chicken, and Oven Baked Crispy Chicken.
It doesn’t get much easier than Bacon Pea Salad! Look how simple it is to make.
Bacon Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound of bacon cooked according to package instructions, drained and crumbled or finely chopped
- 2 pounds frozen peas thawed in the refrigerator overnight
- 3/4 cup coarsely grated sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 small red onion peeled, and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Stir together all of the ingredients and serve immediately, or (preferably) put in a tupperware, Gladware, or other tightly covered container in the refrigerator to give the flavours a chance to meld for an hour but up to three days prior to serving. Give it a gentle stir from top to bottom before serving.
This post was originally published April 7th, 2014 and was updated May 11th, 2017 with a video and improved notes.
Valerie | FromValerie's Kitchen says
Oh, how I love ths salad! Creamy, bacon-y peas! This is a great one for summer parties.
Nutmeg Nanny says
I just got a giant bag of peas and was thinking about making a salad like this. You totally beat me to the punch! 🙂
Paula-bell'alimento says
Bacon and Peas are just perfection!
Sharon says
The only thing I do different is to add tomatoes
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
I’d be just like you and eat it out of the container, opting to make and finish the bowl before the rest of the family got home so I wouldn’t have to share. I love marinated salads as well so I can already tell that this’ll have to get made.
Amy @Very Culinary says
Oh friend, I am right there with you. Love me a marinated salad. And you already know how much I love sweet little green peas. My life. The bacon? Clutch. Also? Love these pictures!
Meredith In Sock Monkey Slippers says
Perfect for Easter! Looks delish!
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
THIS is so happening and SOON! I love the whole bacon pea combo!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
My boys are forever digging around in the freezer to snack on the peas! I can easily see myself making a batch of this pea salad and eating it all week for lunch. Assuming that it would last all week…
julia says
What a perfect salad for the warm weather months! I love the bacon and pea combo!
DessertForTwo says
This looks phenomenal! And something different to bring to a potluck–yay!
Joyti says
Peas are just starting to come in here…but this looks delicious! So nice for the upcoming warm months.
Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary says
My best friend is from Slovenija and her sister makes a similar salad! I never got her to write it down! This looks very close! Must make!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I want this salad so much right now. I know that frozen peas are on my list for next week!
Ginny McMeans says
What a beautiful and refreshing salad. It reminds me of one that my mom use to make. I will absolutely make this. Thanks.
Susan says
Huh, so yeah I think bacon might be what it takes to get me to eat peas!
Lora @cakeduchess says
What a great way to enjoy your peas more …with BACON! Love this salad idea, Rebecca!
Rie says
I will be making this for sure. How can anything be bad with a POUND of bacon in it. I’d eat my own elbow if it was wrapped in bacon. YUM!!!!
jeri says
This sounds perfect for a make-ahead side dish for Easter. I was thinking of lamb this year, so I’ll probably throw some fresh mint in too.
Sherri says
My mom used to make a salad very similar to this, only it had chopped hard boiled eggs and no bacon. I MUST try this; bacon makes everything better!
Maria | Pink Patisserie says
Just a fantastic, fantastic salad and I love your recommendation for thawed frozen peas. Perfection!
Denise says
I saw this floating around the internet today, and kept thinking how I LOVE all these flavors. What a great side dish to serve alongside something off of the grill – lamb chops?
Gathered Again says
This would be a wonderful side for a spring family reunion. I mean, I’d eat this anytime. You kind of had me won over at the word “bacon.” LOL!
All the best,
Laura
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
I love peas. Sometimes a big bowl, with a little melted butter and salt, means supper for me! Love this salad!
Pat says
A dash of Sriracha adds a whole new depth to this salad. Love it!
margaret says
I make a variation of this salad sans the bacon, and add sliced green olives. Think I might try with bacon next time. A good trick if you only have frozen peas, add the frozen peas directly to the hot pasta, will defrost the peas quickly. Than let cool, add other ingredients, and let chill in fridge. Definetely sooo much better the next day:)
Darla says
What would be the servings for this recipe?
Rebecca says
That really depends on how much each person will eat! Since you’re starting with 2 pounds of frozen peas it makes a generous amount.
Rhonda says
Just made this and it is fantastic!!!! My hubby thought it was the best pea salad he has ever had. I do agree. Thank you for sharing this.
Fran Warren says
Can you add boiled chopped eggs, too. I always put them in my regular pea salad, I was just wondering.
Rebecca says
I don’t see why not!
Amanda says
I made this salad a few days ago i changed a few things up just a tad not that it needed it however lol i used 3lbs of frozen peas to accommodate a larger crowd for a dinner party. I only used the 1/2 small red onion for the 3 pounds of peas along with that i cooked up 12ozs of fresh bacon and used a 2.8oz package of real bacon bit pieces i put 8ozs of fresh grated sharp cheddar and mixed 1/2 a cup of bacon ranch dressing with the mayo. EVERYONE RAVED OVER THIS DISH ALL NIGHT Thanks so much! Also with the leftovers to add a different dimension to it i sprinkled some crunchy imitation bacon bits on top which was truly superb.
jaimus says
You can also add fresh dill, its fantastic! Ive even made it vegan…used veganaise, chopped carrots and red onions fresh dill and salt and pepper. And a little pinch of smoked paprika! Surprisingly amazing!
Amy Rundstrom says
Oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my! This was SO GOOD! It was like an upscale version of the 7 Layer Salad (which I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I love as much as I do). I did end up using a bit more may than called for to make it all come together, he first time I made it I found out my red onion was, um, bad (to put it mildly) so I used green onions instead. Wonderful – with either kind of onion. And I pretend like it’s health food…what with the peas and onions, you see….
Janet says
I had a pea salad that was bought at a deli today and decided I wanted to make some myself, this looks yummy, I will also add waterchesnuts, they were in the salad I ate to day and it added a nice different crunch to the lushes’ pea crunch
Bluegrass state blonde says
Made this salad for a Mothers Day get together. My family ate every last bite of it. I used a tad bit more mayo than what recipe called for. Also– ’round here we love Dukes Mayo.
Such a delightful recipe. Thanks for sharing this keeper!
Rebecca says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad it went over so well and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
Doral Allen says
Hi, can you please tell me how many servings this makes? I’d like to make it for an upcoming women’s club lunch, and I need to make a salad for eight people. Thanks.
Rebecca says
I always hesitate to suggest how many servings you can get out of something, mainly because my family is comprised of ravenous beasts. If you look at the starting point, though, it’s 2 pounds of peas, so divide that by 8 and you have roughly 1/4 pound of peas per person. Since there’s about 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of peas in a pound, that means you’re looking at 1/4 to 1/3 cup per person before other ingredients are added. If that seems sufficient, go with it. If not, I’d say increase it! 😀
Tery says
I substituted store bought Poppy-seed dressing and added sunflower seeds! The crowd I made it for devoured it!
Erika says
Yum!! I like to add finely chopped celery and hard boiled eggs to mine as well.
Betsy says
I have been making this for 20 years but my partners hates peas. Is there any suggestions to switch out peas for something else and still taste good?
Nadine smock says
You might use kidney beans in place of peas.nadine smock
Grace says
How many servings does this make? 4-6?
Thank you!
Rebecca says
Hi Grace- Thanks for asking, but I don’t provide serving sizes because the number of servings my family gets from something is generally pretty off from what the government RDA serving sizes are… Instead of trying to parse it, I just don’t do it. I can say that one batch of this was pretty generous and went nicely with a meal of grilled meat with a couple of leftovers.
sassy says
My grandmother used to make something similar. We grew up on it. Instead of cheese we dice up an apple. The dressing we make is half mayo and half plain yogurt. Can also top with toasted nuts when serving.
Rebecca says
That sounds like a delicious spin on pea salad!
Michele says
Awesome! Can’t stop eating it…. yummy :- )
sandra bohanon says
can you put it up in the freezer?
Jeanne says
I love this salad. I also like to add a little nutmeg in the dressing. I’ve also used SPAM (sliced, fried and cut into matchsticks), also ymmy! Thanks for the recipe.
janiesnowdy says
gonna try it..let you know later..Thank you……..
Nancy says
Great recipe, love pea salad. BUT, your music ~~ not so much.
Rebecca says
I’m glad you like the recipe. As for the music, I’ve always been a classical music fan and will continue to be… finding a Beethoven piece that was available for use was like hitting the lottery for me. In other words, Ludwig will always have a home in my videos. 😀
Kim says
Thank you! I love this salad but never found an exact recipe for it. Hometown Buffet used to make it and was my favorite and would fill my plate with it (I only actually wanted to go there for the pea salad) but it didn’t have bacon or onion in it, but had cubed cheddar cheese and red bell pepper with more of a ranch dressing I think – but this sounds so yummy! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow! THANK YOU!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Always up the bacon and cheese << my life's mantra 😉
Rebecca says
Amen!
Rachael @ Rachael's Foodie Life says
Girl I totally get you! I am a pea fanatic!
If there is no frozen peas in the freezer, even if I don’t need them for dinner, I need them you know?
I am so making this tonight!!!
jyllzie says
Yum! I am definitely going to make this pronto!!!! I will sub turkey bacon for the pork and soak the red onion in water for a bit to mellow it out…but other than that, I am there!
Catherine Howard says
Bacon is not something I like to add in my salad, but you convinced me to try this recipe and now I’m all about it! It’s part of my Tuesday night meal almost every week.
Rebecca says
That is fantastic, Catherine!
amanda says
something different to bring to a potluck. i got giant bag and didn’t know what to do with it. Now i know 🙂
Sharon Southern says
what would it like to add hard eggs to it ?
Rebecca says
I imagine it would be lovely!
Rie says
Ok, so it took me 3 years to get around to making this recipe, but it won’t be another 3 years until I make it again. HOLY SMOKES. Just finished putting it together and had to taste. You know, quality control…ahem… My stars!!! was is great. You say it only gets better with time??? Can’t wait until later today or tomorrow. MAKE IT PEOPLE!!!!!
Rebecca says
This is a fantastic review, Rie! Thanks so much!
Danna says
Serve this on a bed of lettuce, as well.
Angie says
Could I use ranch dressing in place of the mayonnaise??
Rebecca says
I think that sounds delicious!
Pamela Newcomer says
OMG!!!!! Love this salad. I have brought it to 5 potlucks and it is always a hit. The only thing I changed was I use Mexican blend shredded cheese instead of the plain cheddar. Thank you for such an awesome salad.
Rebecca says
I’m so glad, Paula! We love it here, too!
Debra hyatt says
Great
Janet Benedict says
I first had this salad in 1970 when I lived in Texas. Only it was made with sour cream instead of mayonnaise. I was so impressed that I have often made it over the years. Delicious.
Sandi says
I make this but use blue cheese dressing and crumble blue cheese bits instead of the mayo and cheddar. Also sautéed pine nuts and a little thin sliced celery for crunch It’s marvelous
Michelle says
We put this with a head of cauliflower as well. Equally wonderful!
Gerri says
Can’t wait to try this looks and sounds so yummy!!👍😀
Kimberly S says
Would love to make this for my garden club. How many servings? Love peas!
Rebecca says
Hi Kimberly-
I generally do not list servings on my recipe for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I actively avoid calorie counting. Generally speaking, a 1/2 cup of peas is considered a serving, and there are usually about 3 1/2 cups in a pound of peas. I hope that helps!
Chris McConnell says
I have been trying to save this recipe, either by email to myself, or to Pinterest. This has been frustrating…please help.
Rebecca says
Hi Chris- Click on the “print recipe” option and either print on paper or to pdf!
Kandy says
This is a very good recipe. I have made this several times. I also make a cauliflower salad (using raw cauliflower) that is very similar so the last time we mixed them together and it was sooo good.
City Skater - Rule the Skate Park says
What a perfect salad for the warm weather months! I love this salad but never found an exact recipe for it. Can’t wait to try it tomorrow! THANK YOU!
Jayson says
Wonderful recipe!!!! I added 1/2 teaspoon dill because I am addicted to dill. I also cubed my cheese because my grandma did and I need the nostalgia today. It was a hit at the get together. Everyone loved it !
Jessie Parker says
This is a family favorite as well at my home, I add different types of cheese in mine with a little sugar to sweeten but not much. about a 1/3 cup I find Sharp cheddar and Swiss cheese to be the all time favorite.
donnap says
I LOVE this!! I have always loved peas anyway. My grandson and I eat frozen peas that have been rinsed with luke warm water and drained. I do not bother to cook them. Lol. And I love them in my salad too. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Rebecca says
I do, too! Love frozen peas!
Tanya Thomas says
I made this but instead of mayo I used miracle whip for the sweetness omitted the paprika (beings that it’s already in the miracle whip) added boiled chopped eggs and used cubed cheese instead of grated. My husband and his family((all 15 of them ) loved it!!!!
Rebecca says
I’m so glad you like it!
Jackiedunne says
How many people will this serve??
GOOGLE CUSTOMER SERVICE says
I used this method to make a salad…
it’s really tasty
me and my mom like it most
Deborah says
This is the best pea salad I have ever had!!!
Wendy says
I was never a fan of my mom’s pea salad (canned peas/velveeta cubes, etc) So when my girlfriend said she was bringing pea salad to my home as a side dish, i thought ok, i will take a spoonful and that’s it. She brought your recipe and it was love at first bite! I said to her, omg it is 7 layer salad in a bowl minus the lettuce! I am making it right now for Easter tomorrow. Thanks So Much, love it!
Rebecca says
HAHA! That is the best, Wendy! Thanks for the great review and for sharing that your friend serving my salad converted you!
Melody says
Awesome salad….will become a new favorite to make over and over again
Rebecca says
Thanks for the great review, Melody! I’m so glad you liked it!
Janet B. says
This pea, bacon and cheddar salad looks so yummy! I’ll be making it soon.
Meg says
LOVE this recipe! I was gardening today and when I planted the peas, I realized I HAD to have some pea salad ASAP! I couldn’t wait for the peas so I microwaved them in a glass bowl, 30 seconds at a time, 3 time. It thawed them perfectly. Thanks for sharing this gem!
Rebecca says
Brilliant, Meg! I’m so glad you loved it!
Christine says
Love love love this dish!
Cschmidt says
I love this recipe! My family always put hard boiled eggs in theirs. I absolutely hate boiled eggs. I love fried,scrambled,poached eggs. I tried the family recipe many times and could not eat it.
This is delicious! Sometimes I put half mayo and half sour cream gives it just a little bite. Cheese, celery and of course Bacon! I think I will make this in the morning for an early dinner later in the evening.
Cindi O'Bryan says
You are correct. I Can eat the entire bowl! Addicting.
LisaS says
This salad is so yummy! I used avocado mayo and it was delicious!😋
Thanks for the recipe:)
Rebecca says
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you liked it. Thank you for the excellent rating!