Creamy Bacon Pea Salad
A quick, creamy, slightly sweet-and-salty salad with crispy bacon, tender peas, and a tangy dressing. Perfect as a side dish for BBQs, lunches, or potlucks.
⏱️ Time & Servings
- Prep: 10–15 minutes
- Chill: 20–30 minutes (optional but better)
- Servings: 4
🧾 Ingredients
Salad Base
- 2 cups green peas (frozen, thawed)
- 6–8 strips bacon
- ¼ cup red onion (finely chopped)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but recommended)
Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2–3 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar or honey (balances flavor)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley or dill
- 1 celery stalk (finely chopped for crunch)
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Chili flakes (for a slight kick)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the bacon
- Fry bacon in a pan until crispy.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Once cooled, crumble into small pieces.
👉 Tip: Save 1 tsp bacon fat for extra flavor in dressing (optional).
2. Prepare peas
- If using frozen peas, thaw them by:
- Running under warm water for 1–2 minutes
- Or leaving at room temperature
- Pat dry so salad doesn’t become watery.
3. Make the dressing
In a bowl mix:
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream or yogurt
- Vinegar or lemon juice
- Sugar or honey
- Salt & pepper
Stir until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine salad
In a large bowl add:
- Peas
- Crumbled bacon
- Red onion
- Cheddar cheese (if using)
Pour dressing over and mix gently.
5. Chill & serve
- Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes for best flavor
- Stir once before serving
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- BBQ side dish (grilled chicken, steak, burgers)
- Sandwich or wrap filling
- Picnic or potluck salad
- Light lunch on its own
✨ Tips for Best Results
- Don’t skip chilling—it improves flavor a lot
- Crisp bacon adds best texture contrast
- Pat peas dry to avoid watery dressing
- Adjust sweetness depending on your taste
🔄 Variations
🥗 Healthier version
- Use all Greek yogurt instead of mayo
- Reduce bacon or use turkey bacon
🧀 Extra creamy version
- Add more cheese or a spoon of cream cheese
🌶️ Spicy version
- Add chili flakes or hot sauce
🥓 Loaded version
- Add boiled eggs or diced potatoes
