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Pea Salad
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This creamy pea salad recipe is a classic side dish that's easy to make. Featuring crunchy peas, a tasty dressing, crispy bacon, and lots of cheese, it's an exceptional choice for enhancing this green vegetable.
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Did you know that this Vintage Pea Salad is crafted with just a few straightforward ingredients, yet it delivers a profoundly delicious taste.
The savory bacon, along with the smoothness of the cheese and dressing, elevates this sweet pea salad to be the ultimate side dish for meals throughout the year.
Ingredients for Old Fashioned Pea Salad
What you'll need to make this green pea salad recipe:
- 2 (16-ounce) packages frozen green peas
- ¾ cup Colby Jack Cheese, cut into small cubes
- ¾ cup Monterey Jack Cheese, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup miracle whip
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ pound bacon, cooked and chopped
Classic Pea Salad Variations
These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of this frozen pea salad recipe!
- Cheese: If you like your fresh pea salad with shredded cheese, feel free to shred it instead of cutting it into cubes. Luckily this recipe allows for a lot of flexibility with the type of cheese you use. Experiment with sharp cheddar or any of your preferred, favorite cheeses.
- PEAS: If it's the right time of year and fresh peas are available, feel free to use them as a substitute for frozen peas in this simple recipe.
- DRESSING: Instead of making the salad dressing from scratch, you have the option to use bottled ranch dressing for convenience in this classic dish.
- EGGS: A variation of this excellent recipe is the English pea salad, which includes hard-boiled eggs added to the mix.
How to make pea salad
FIRST STEP: In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for bacon. Stir together.
Pro Tip
If you are using frozen peas in this delicious pea salad, rinse them under cold water to thaw and remove any excess moisture from the thawed peas with a paper towel.
SECOND STEP: Cover bowl in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
THIRD STEP: When ready to serve, add bacon bits and stir together.
Pro Tip
Let your salad sit out for a few minutes before serving to let it start to come to room temperature.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Pea salad is ideally served cold. It can be prepared a few hours before serving and stored in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to blend together.
Presentation: Display the pea salad in a clear or ornate glass bowl to highlight the peas' bright green color. For an extra touch of flavor, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, chives, or dill just before serving.
Serve as a Side Dish to Grilled Meat: The fresh taste of pea salad is a perfect complement to the smoky flavors of grilled meats. It's a great accompaniment to grilled chicken breasts or thighs, pork chops, kebabs, or even delicate grilled salmon.
With Cold Cuts: Pea salad makes an excellent side for a classic lunch spread featuring cold cuts, cheeses, and fresh bread.
Serve on a Relish Tray: Add pea salad to a relish tray alongside pickles, olives, and other cold salads for a variety of flavors and textures.
Serve Buffet-Style: Thanks to its easy preparation and the fact it can be made in advance, pea salad is a convenient option for buffet-style meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this classic pea salad ahead of time?
This straightforward salad can be prepared a few hours in advance. Just remember to add the bacon right before serving to maintain its crispiness.
Do I need to cook frozen peas before adding them to the salad?
Frozen vegetables are pre-blanched (briefly cooked and then quickly cooled) before being frozen.
Simply rinse them under cold water to thaw, and use a paper towel to pat away any extra moisture.
Can I freeze pea salad?
It's not advised to freeze this salad, as the dressing will separate and won't return to the desired texture once thawed.
Can I use canned peas instead of frozen peas?
We recommend using frozen peas for this pea and cheese salad. Fresh and frozen peas usually offer a sweeter and more subtle flavor than canned peas, which may have a slightly metallic or briny taste from the canning process. Frozen peas, on the other hand, tend to preserve more of their natural flavor compared to canned peas.
When to serve this cheese and pea salad
This easy potluck side dish is wonderfully easy to make and uses frozen peas, so you can prepare it any time of the year, even on busy weeknights.
- Potlucks: It's straightforward to make in bulk, making pea salad a hit for potlucks. Pair it with classics like coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni salad for a diverse offering. Cucumber and broccoli salads are also great companions.
- Easter: The refreshing quality of pea salad complements the richness of traditional Easter meats like lamb, ham, or chicken. Adding fresh mint enhances its flavor, especially when served with lamb.
- Thanksgiving: Amidst the hearty fare of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, pea salad brings a light touch. Enhance it with autumnal touches like crumbled bacon and toasted pecans for a seasonal flair.
- Christmas: Its crisp, refreshing taste offers a nice balance to the rich, savory flavors typical of Christmas meals.
- Bridal Showers: Perfect for brunch or afternoon tea, pea salad fits elegantly with croissants, scones, and tarts. Serve it in a clear glass or white porcelain bowl for visual appeal.
- Baby Showers: Its compatibility with light, bite-sized foods like cucumber sandwiches makes pea salad ideal for baby showers. Decorate with garnishes that align with the shower's theme or color scheme, such as fresh mint or edible flowers for spring themes, or red radishes for a pink theme.
- Weeknight Meals: As a side, pea salad complements a variety of main dishes like roasted chicken, casseroles, or pasta, making it a great addition to a simple family dinner. It pairs excellently with Italian chicken and mashed potatoes.
Storing this Recipe
Storing this recipe correctly ensures it stays fresh, tasty, and keeps its appealing flavors and textures.
MAKE AHEAD: This side dish actually improves with a bit of time, as the flavors come together nicely.
For events or meal prep, feel free to prepare this salad a day ahead. Just be sure to store it in a sealed container and stir well before serving to mix the dressing and flavors evenly.
IN THE FRIDGE: Keep this salad in a sealed container in the fridge to avoid picking up other food smells.
When stored right, it's best enjoyed within 2-3 days to maintain its freshness and taste.
IN THE FREEZER: Freezing this cold pea salad isn't recommended because it can alter the peas' texture and the dressing's creaminess.
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Pea Salad
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Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen peas (2 16-ounce packages)
- ¾ cup Colby jack cheese (cut into small cubes)
- ¾ cup Monterey Jack cheese (cut into small cubes)
- ½ cup red onion (chopped)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup miracle whip
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ pound bacon (cooked and chopped)
DIRECTIONS
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for bacon. Stir together.
- Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, add bacon and stir together.
Notes
- If you are using frozen peas in this delicious pea salad, rinse them under cold water to thaw and remove any excess moisture from the thawed peas with a paper towel.
- Let your salad sit out for a few minutes before serving to let it start to come to room temperature.
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