English Pea Salad Recipe 🫛 Old Fashioned Cold Pea Salad (2024)

English pea salad is the perfect side dish to take to any potluck or church picnic. Packed with peas, onion, cheddar cheese, and dill, along with a creamy dressing, this cold pea salad recipe will be your new favorite summer salad!

If you're looking for a great side dish for a baby shower or summer party look no further than this pea salad recipe. Just follow the easy instructions below, and you'll have a delicious salad that everyone will love.

What is pea salad?

Pea salad is a type of salad that typically includes peas, mayonnaise, and other ingredients such as chopped onion, bacon, cheese, or hard-boiled eggs. The peas used in the salad can be either fresh or frozen, and they are usually blanched before being mixed with the other ingredients.

Pea salad is a popular side dish in many parts of the United States, particularly in the southern states. It can be served cold or at room temperature and is often enjoyed during the spring and summer months.

Pea salad is a pretty simple and straightforward, no fuss recipe. That means it’s ingredients are basic and easy to find in your pantry or local grocery store.

📝 Ingredient notes:

• Frozen Peas
• Cheddar Cheese Cubes
• Bacon Bits
• Red Onion Slivers
• Sour Cream
• Mayonnaise
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Dill

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

🔄 Additions and Substitutions

Frozen peas are what is called for in this recipe because they are readily available all year round. When fresh peas are in season, use them in place of frozen ones.

Hard boiled eggs - my great-aunt would add diced hard-boiled eggs to her southern pea salad and it is a great way to add extra protein to this salad.

Celery - finely dice a few ribs of celery to add another layer of crunch

🔪 How do you make English pea salad from scratch

1. Prep - Gently bring peas out of a frozen state in a large bowl. Add a slivered red onion and cube the cheese, or buy already cubed sharp cheddar cheese cubes.
   
2. Mix - Add the tangy dressing ingredients. Combine the mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, and dill,to the bowl of peas and gently fold them over each other until they have mixed thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
   
3. Serve - Garnish with chopped cooked bacon or a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. Spoon onto your plate with all of the other goodies and enjoy!

Storage tips ❄️

Can I make pea salad the night before?

Yes, you can make this salad recipe ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. This step actually allows you to skip the thawing process, as the peas will thaw in the fridge on their own.

🍽️ What main meals go well with pea salad?

This is a side dish that goes well with almost any main meal. You can serve it inside tacos or wraps, on top of lettuce for a salad, or by itself as an appetizer. It is also a wonderful way to balance out dishes commonly found at a cookout or barbecue.

📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

With these tips in mind, you'll be able to make a delicious English pea salad that everyone will love!

1. Use quality ingredients: Even though the ingredients are simple, using high-quality ingredients will elevate the flavor of the salad. Look for fresh, firm green peas, sharp cheese, and quality bacon bits.
2. Don't cook the peas: Garden peas are best when they are slightly crunchy and sweet. Avoid cooking them, or they will become mushy and lose their flavor.
3. Adjust the dressing to your taste: The dressing for this salad is tangy and creamy, but you can adjust the proportions of mayonnaise, sour cream, and vinegar to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a little bit of sugar or honey.
4. Chill the salad before serving: This salad is best when it is cold, so make sure to refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. This will also allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Add your favorite toppings: While this recipe calls for bacon bits and cheddar cheese, you can add other toppings to customize the salad to your taste. Chopped hard-boiled eggs, diced celery, or even sliced almonds can add extra flavor and texture.

This pea salad is so easy to make! So, if you're looking for a delicious dish that doesn't take much time at all, this recipe is for you! Print out the recipe card, gather the ingredients, and have fun making your own english pea salad today!

📖 Recipe

👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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