The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser Side Dish
If you are looking for a side dish that steals the show at every potluck, backyard barbecue, or family dinner, you have found it. This Creamy, Crunchy Bacon Pea Salad is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, crisp, and smoky.
While peas might sometimes get a reputation for being boring, this recipe completely transforms them. By pairing sweet, plump peas with crispy bacon, sharp red onion, rich cheddar cheese, and a perfectly balanced creamy dressing, you get a texturally amazing dish that people will be begging you for the recipe. Best of all, it requires absolutely no cooking (aside from crisping up the bacon!) and can be made well in advance.
What You Will Need
Before you get started, gather these simple, fresh ingredients. For the best results, we recommend using frozen sweet peas that have been thawed rather than canned peas, as they maintain that signature bright green color and crisp “pop” texture.
For the Salad Base:
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16 ounces frozen sweet peas: Thawed and drained completely.
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8 slices bacon: Cooked until extra crispy and crumbled.
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1 cup sharp cheddar cheese: Shredded (freshly grated from a block melts into the flavors best!).
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1/2 cup red onion: Finely diced for a nice, sharp crunch.
For the Creamy Dressing:
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1/2 cup mayonnaise: Provides the rich, creamy base.
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1/2 cup sour cream: Adds a subtle tanginess to balance the mayo.
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1 tablespoon granulated sugar: Just enough to complement the sweetness of the peas.
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: For a bright, zesty kick.
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a subtle depth of savory flavor.
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Salt and freshly cracked black pepper: To taste.
Optional Garnishes:
