Description
Delightful classic pea salad combines crisp vegetables with creamy dressing for a nostalgic side dish. Cool crunch and tangy flavors make this recipe a perfect summer companion you’ll want to serve at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups frozen peas (thawed)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed
- 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
Additional Vegetables:
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Empty thawed green peas into a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
- Incorporate finely diced crimson onion, crumbled crispy bacon fragments, and grated sharp cheddar cheese into the peas.
- Create a creamy binding sauce by whisking mayonnaise with tangy apple cider vinegar, balancing flavors with a hint of sweetness and seasoning.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable and cheese mixture, carefully folding ingredients to achieve uniform coating.
- Transfer the salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour, allowing flavors to meld and develop depth.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients, ensuring each serving is equally flavorful.
- Present the chilled salad as a delightful side dish, garnishing with additional bacon crumbles or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Boost flavor by using fresh garden peas when in season for a sweeter, more vibrant taste profile.
- Swap regular bacon with turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon bits to accommodate different dietary preferences and reduce saturated fat.
- Enhance protein content by adding diced hard-boiled eggs or sunflower seeds for extra nutrition and interesting texture contrast.
- Maintain salad’s crispness by adding cheese and bacon just before serving to prevent ingredients from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg