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Classic Creamy Southern Pea Salad with Bacon and Cheddar

A mound of creamy pea salad mixed with cheddar cheese cubes and topped with crispy bacon pieces.
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Make this classic Southern pea salad, a creamy, nostalgic side dish perfect for potlucks and BBQs. It combines sweet peas, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar in a simple, quick mayonnaise dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels, then crumble it. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the thawed peas, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. This is your creamy dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pea and bacon mixture. Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
  6. Serve this easy pea salad cold as a side dish for your next gathering.

Notes

  • For a make-ahead side salad, prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables a day in advance. Combine everything no more than 4 hours before serving to keep the texture crisp.
  • If you skip the bacon, this remains a delicious vegetarian pea salad, though the flavor profile changes.
  • You can substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or Colby if desired.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/classic-creamy-pea-salad-with-bacon/