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This old fashioned pea salad is peak retro comfort, the kind of potluck MVP that shows up and shows off. Sweet peas, salty bacon, and a tangy-creamy dressing bring serious flavor without fuss. It’s cold, crunchy, and creamy all in one bite. If you’re after a cold side salad with cheddar and bacon, this one actually earns its spot on the table.

A spoon lifting a serving of pea and cheese salad.
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This classic pea salad is old-school in the best way. Right up there with ham salad when it comes to retro favorites worth keeping in rotation.

Here’s Why This Pea Salad Recipe Works

Thawed frozen peas: They stay firm and sweet, way better than mushy canned peas.

That creamy dressing: Mayo, sour cream, mustard, and vinegar make it sharp, rich, and totally craveable.

Salty, cheesy, crispy extras: Bacon, cheddar, and red onion give it that perfect savory edge.

Make-ahead friendly: Actually tastes better after it chills out overnight. Kind of like carrot raisin salad, retro and resilient.

A bowl filled with pea salad made from frozen peas, cheese and bacon.

Recipe Tips

Thaw peas the smart way: Skip the microwave. Run them under cold water in a colander to thaw quickly without turning them mushy.

Dry the peas well: Excess water will dilute the creamy dressing. Give them a good drain and pat dry if needed.

Chop small: Keep the add-ins diced fine so they mingle well in every bite.

Let it sit: An hour in the fridge is the bare minimum. Overnight? Even better.

This pea salad’s a keeper, but don’t stop there, our classic mac salad is another one of those great summer recipes that shows up and does its job.

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A spoon lifting a serving of cold salad with peas.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Classic Pea Salad

This classic pea salad is creamy, crunchy, and loaded with flavor. Made with sweet peas, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a tangy mayo-sour cream dressing, it’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for potlucks, cookouts, and holidays.

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating and comment.

Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients 

Dressing

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

For the Salad

  • 32 ounces frozen peas, about 6 cups (thawed but not cooked)
  • 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon, (about 8 to 9 slices)
  • ½ red onion, finely diced
  • 3 stalks celery, finely diced (optional)
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, or diced into small cubes

Instructions 

Make the Dressing:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
    Mixing mayonnaise and sour cream to make a dressing for pea salad.

Finish The Pea and Cheese Salad

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed peas, diced red onion, celery, cheese, and bacon.
    combining all the ingredients for a recipe for green pea salad.
  • Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  • Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Overnight is even better. Before serving, stir again gently. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley and a light sprinkle of paprika if desired.

Notes

Use frozen peas, not canned: Canned peas are too soft and mushy for this salad. Frozen peas hold their shape and texture better.
Thawing tip: To thaw peas quickly, place them in a colander and run cool water over them for a few minutes. Drain well because excess moisture will water down the dressing.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving again, as the dressing may settle.
Serving size: This recipe makes a generous bowl—perfect for 8 to 10 servings as a side dish.
Add-ins: Chopped hard-boiled eggs are a great addition and give it that classic, old-school vibe. Water chestnuts bring a nice crunch and another retro touch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 370kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 908mg, Potassium: 365mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1148IU, Vitamin C: 46mg, Calcium: 130mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Green Pea and Cheese Salad

This classic pea salad is creamy, crunchy, salty-sweet perfection with zero stove time. It’s old-school in the best way and endlessly riffable if you’re feeling extra. 

Make it once, and it’ll be your go-to for BBQs, holidays, and every chill gathering in between. Pair it with coleslaw for pulled pork and a tray of deviled eggs, and you’re basically winning for summer supper recipes.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving again.

I don’t recommend freezing this one. The texture of thawed peas and dairy-based dressing doesn’t hold up well.

About Dahn Boquist

Dahn Boquist is a retired nurse turned recipe developer, home cook, and baker with years of hands-on experience creating and testing from-scratch recipes. She specializes in whole-food cooking with creative twists on classic dishes. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys sharing meals with family, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and spending time with her grandchildren.

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