Creamy Green Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese

This Creamy Green Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese is a refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, holidays, or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

• 4 cups frozen green peas, thawed and drained
• 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
• ½ cup red onion, finely diced
• 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
• ½ cup celery, finely diced (optional)

Dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Garnish

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Extra crumbled bacon (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the peas
   • Thaw the frozen peas and drain well. Pat them dry with paper towels if needed to remove excess moisture.
2. Make the dressing
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
3. Combine the salad
   • Add the peas, cheddar cheese, red onion, celery (if using), and crumbled bacon to the bowl.
   • Gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
4. Chill
   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.
5. Serve
   • Garnish with parsley and extra bacon just before serving.

Optional Add-Ins

• Diced ham
• Chopped hard-boiled eggs
• Sunflower seeds
• Diced bell peppers
• Chopped dill pickles
• Cubed Monterey Jack or Colby cheese

Tips

• Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcook the peas—simply thawing them keeps them bright, sweet, and slightly crisp.
• Add the bacon just before serving if you want it to stay extra crispy.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6–8