If you need a side dish that is guaranteed to disappear fast at family gatherings, you have found it. This Mouthwatering Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheese is a classic, nostalgic recipe that brings a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors to the table.

A white bowl filled with creamy green pea salad topped with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced red onion. — This classic creamy pea salad with bacon and cheddar cheese is the perfect make-ahead side dish for your next summer potluck.

Loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, tangy red onion, and tender sweet peas, it is all tossed together in a rich dressing made with sour cream, mayo, and just a touch of vinegar. It’s one of those magical side dishes that actually tastes better when you make it the night before, making it the ultimate stress free recipe for summer barbecues and neighborhood potlucks!

Whether you are serving it alongside hearty comfort foods like a rich Cattle Drive Casserole or keeping things casual with burgers, this vibrant green pea salad cuts through heavy flavors and adds a refreshing crunch.

Why You Will Love This Green Pea Salad

Ready in Minutes: This salad comes together in just 15-20 minutes. It is perfect for last minute potlucks or when you need a quick side dish without turning on the oven!
Crowd Pleasing Combination: The crispy, salty bacon mixed with creamy cheese and naturally sweet peas creates a flavor profile that both kids and adults absolutely love.
Make Ahead Friendly: This salad actually needs time to chill so the flavors can blend. You can prep it a day ahead, giving you one less thing to worry about on busy days!
No Cooking Required: Besides crisping up the bacon (which you can even do in the microwave or air fryer), there is zero stove time needed. This keeps your kitchen cool during warm weather.

Hosting a full summer spread? Pair this creamy pea salad with a light, refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad for a beautiful contrast of flavors!

Overhead view of a creamy pea salad with thick-cut bacon and cubed cheese in a green bowl resting on a burlap napkin. — Upgrade your traditional pea salad by adding thick-cut bacon and chunks of sharp cheese for extra flavor and texture.

Essential Ingredients

You probably have most of these pantry staples on hand already, so no special shopping trip is required!

For the Salad

Sweet Peas (20 oz): Frozen sweet peas work perfectly here. There is no need to cook them; just thaw them completely and drain any excess water.
Bacon (5 slices): Cooked until very crispy and crumbled into ½ inch pieces.
Cheddar Cheese (1/3 cup): Shredded sharp cheddar adds a wonderful bite.
Red Onion (1/4 cup): Finely diced into tiny 1/8 inch pieces to ensure you get a little onion flavor in every bite without overpowering the delicate peas.

For the Creamy Dressing

Sour Cream & Mayonnaise: 4 tbsp of thick sour cream and 3 tbsp of mayo create the perfect creamy, rich base.
White Vinegar (1.5 tsp): Adds the necessary tangy zip to cut through the richness of the mayo and bacon.
Sugar (1 tsp): Just a pinch enhances the natural sweetness of the peas.
Seasonings: ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp garlic powder to tie everything together.

Need a savory morning meal before your afternoon barbecue? Whip up an Ultimate Breakfast Grilled Cheese or a fun Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl with Sausage Gravy!

A generous serving of creamy pea salad loaded with crispy bacon and a mix of shredded and cubed cheddar cheese on a plate. — Can’t decide between shredded or cubed cheese? Use both in this ultimate loaded creamy pea salad!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Components Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium high heat until they are very crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool, then crumble into pieces. While the bacon cooks, finely dice the red onion and shred the cheddar cheese.

Step 2: Build the Creamy Dressing In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth. Add the sugar, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk until the dressing is fully blended. Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings if needed—this is the moment to refine the flavor!

Step 3: Combine and Chill Add the thawed peas, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar to the bowl with the dressing. Using a spatula, gently fold all the ingredients together until the peas are evenly coated. Avoid aggressive stirring, which can break down the peas and make the salad mushy! Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Taste and Serve Remove the salad from the refrigerator and give it a gentle stir. Taste a spoonful and adjust the salt and pepper if needed before serving. Serve cold directly from the fridge!

If you are bringing this to a potluck, finish the meal with a stunning, no bake Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad or some grab and go Easy Sweet Cinnamon Twists for dessert!

Mouthwatering Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheese

A classic, crowd-pleasing side dish! Sweet peas, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onion tossed in a creamy, tangy homemade dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 2 15

Servings 6 servings

Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients

20 oz sweet peas (frozen, thawed and patted dry)
5 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
1/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
4 tbsp sour cream for dressing
3 tbsp mayonnaise for dressing
1.5 tsp white vinegar for dressing
1 tsp granulated sugar for dressing
1/2 tsp salt for dressing
1/4 tsp black pepper for dressing
1/8 tsp garlic powder for dressing

Instructions

Ensure bacon is cooked crispy, cooled, and crumbled. Finely dice the red onion and shred the cheddar cheese. Make sure peas are fully thawed and patted dry.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
Add the thawed peas, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar to the bowl with the dressing.
Gently fold everything together with a spatula until evenly coated. Do not overmix to avoid mashing the peas.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Stir gently before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve cold.

Notes

This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. If left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it should be discarded due to the dairy-based dressing.

Recipe Variations & Tips

Lighten it Up: Swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt, and use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon.
Cheese Swaps: Feel free to swap cheddar with Colby Jack or even crumbled feta or goat cheese for a tangier twist.
Thaw Properly: The biggest mistake people make is using frozen peas straight from the freezer. They will release water as they thaw and water down your creamy dressing! Thaw them first and pat them dry.
Keep the Bacon Crispy: If you love extra crunch, save half of the crumbled bacon and sprinkle it right on top of the salad immediately before serving!

Meal Prepping? If you love easy make ahead recipes, you will also want to prep a batch of Hashbrown Sausage Bites for your breakfasts, or a kid friendly Pizza Tot Casserole for busy weeknight dinners!