Pea Salad with red onions and cheese is a quintessential recipe for spring and summer with its creamy texture and taste. And talk about an easy recipe! If you can mix, you can make, which means this pea salad is done in mere minutes to free you up for summer fun.
Not that you would know it by the temperature outside in most of America, but summer IS on its way. That means tons of time at the beach, parks, picnics – which also means plenty of hungry friends and family!
You can always go with old food staples like cucumber feta tomato salad (which is so fresh and light) or favorites like caprese salad with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, but everyone loves a gorgeous green pea salad.
Personally I just adore the texture of peas and they are super underrated, which means little chance for someone to bring the same thing. And making changes to the ingredients is typically not an issue!
Try adding more bacon, cut up tomatoes, or even make your pea salad with egg!
Pea Salad Recipe
Separately these ingredients are delicious but together they make a perfect side dish that will compliment all your upcoming meals!
This cold dish is fantastic to be served with fried chicken, BBQ, grilled meats or even just have in a bowl as a main dish (which is what I do).
Scroll to the bottom for a printable version of this post, including all measurements and instructions, so you can follow along in your kitchen without being on your phone.
Here is what you need to gather to get started:
- frozen peas
- bacon
- shredded cheddar cheese
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- diced red onion
- 1 cup real mayonnaise (I Only use Hellmann’s
but you can use Miracle Whip if that is your thing) - salt and pepper
- bacon bits optional
but you can use Miracle Whip if that is your thing)RELATED RECIPES: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas, Creamy Ham and Pea Salad, Shrimp Salad with Avocado
Make it Vegetarian: Just remove the bacon!
How to make Pea Salad
I LOVE PEAS!
This dish is so creamy that it’s a perfect summer salad combination with bacon, red onions, and cheese that will have your guests begging for more.
Always on the table in the south, this recipe is the one you grew up with; flavorful and easy to indulge.
Plus you won’t believe how easy it is to make!
With no baking or cooking needed, your salad can be ready to walk out the door quite quickly.
Need a hot side dish option? It’s so hard to pick what green veggie is my favorite because I like so many, but nothing makes me happier than homemade creamed peas! Make sure you grab that recipe too!
Pea Salad
In a large mixing bowl combine thawed peas, bacon, onions, both kinds of shredded cheese, mayonnaise and mix well so that all your ingredients are covered.
Season with salt and black pepper and mix a few more times, adding a dash here or there to make sure you get full coverage of your spices.
Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight to make sure flavors and creamy dressing blend and are cold upon serving.
Mix well one more time before dishing out.
Serves 8
Looking for a complimentary fruit salad to take with you? Try Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad – just like grandma used to make!
Or if you need your salad a little more savory, I love this Amish Macaroni Salad.
Transferring cold food
Taking this salad (or any of my salad recipes) on the go? Make sure your food stays super cold in the heat by using a thermo carrier that protects hot and cold dishes.
Did you make my pea salad recipe?
Make sure you come back and tell me any changes you made, if you loved it and always be sure to share with me your pictures on social media by tagging with #SaltySideDish
Creamy Pea Salad with Red Onions and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 large bag - 16 oz, frozen peas, thawed and drained
- 6 strips bacon - cooked and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup real mayonnaise
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine thawed peas (drained of any excess water), cut bacon, diced red onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise and mix all pea salad ingredients well.
- Season salad with salt and pepper and mix again to incorporate seasonings.
- Refrigerate pea salad 4 hours or overnight. Mix well before serving to prevent settling.
