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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Modified: Jul 4, 2023 · Published: Aug 3, 2020 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income from ads.

    English Pea Salad

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    English Pea Salad recipe has it all - texture, crunch, sweet and savory, and there's crispy bacon in there too. It's the perfect blend of extra sharp cheddar cheese, celery and red onions along with sweet and tender peas that give the salad a refreshing twist. It's incredibly easy to make this family-favorite pea side dish in minutes. Serve any time of year along with a crunchy green salad tossed with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette for an incredible flavor combination!

    Pea salad in a glass serving bowl on an outdoor table.
    This is one of my favorite sides to serve in the summer. But it's a delicious salad to serve year-round!
    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand
    • 📖 Substitutions for English Pea Salad
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • 🥗 Easy to Prepare English Pea Salad
    • 📋 More Salad Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    ⭐ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    English Pea Salad is a classic, simple side salad that's full of fresh flavors. The sauce is made with a combination of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise that's creamy, tangy and almost velvety consistency. It goes great served alongside Classic Potato Salad, Chicken Curry Salad with Grapes or Sweet Corn Pasta Salad.

    Pea salad is easy to make and easy to share and the flavor combination is a classic recipe. Serve it with Rotisserie Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, Crusted Chicken Romano, or No Ketchup Meatloaf for an incredible meal!

    It can be made in advance and served chilled. Nothing to keep warm or reheat. This is a super convenient and refreshing option for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish for your next BBQ.

    🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand

    Ingredients for pea salad in bowls and arranged on a cutting board.

    English Pea Salad is a recipe I've been tinkering with over the years, but I have now settled on this combination of ingredients.

    Frozen Peas: This is part of what makes this salad recipe so easy. Simply buy frozen peas from the grocery store. Defrost and you are ready!

    Cooked Bacon: There's quite possibly nothing better than those little chunks of cooked bacon in each bite. The savory flavor goes so beautifully with the sweetness of the peas.

    Grated Cheese: Play around with whatever type of cheddar cheese you prefer. Sharp cheddar is excellent in this salad, but mild works well too.

    Greek Yogurt: I firmly believe the combination of Greek yogurt with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt and pepper is the secret sauce to the wonderful flavor in this pea salad.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    📖 Substitutions for English Pea Salad

    There are many substitutions you can make to create an English Pea Salad that will be exactly what your family loves.

    Eggs: Add 3 or 4 hard-boiled eggs.

    Ham: Substitute chopped ham for the bacon, or leave the meat out entirely.

    Water Chestnuts: Add chopped water chestnuts in place of the celery.

    Peppers: Add chopped green or red pepper.

    Green Onions: Use diced green onions instead of red onions.

    This recipe makes a big bowl of English Pea Salad but doubling the recipe might be a good call if you are serving a crowd since it's always popular and goes so fast.

    If you are a fan of peas, you may also want to try my Four P Salad. It's also easy to make a crowd-pleaser.

    Pea salad ingredients: bacon, cheese, celery, bacon and red onions.
    These are ingredients available all year long, so this is a go-to side dish anytime you need a real show-stopper for the table.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Do I cook the peas first?

    No need to cook the peas. It's OK if the peas are still a little frozen when you mix this up.

    But to defrost the peas ahead of time remove the bag of peas from the freezer and place them in the fridge for an hour or two.

    Sometimes if I'm in a big rush, I'll place the bag on the kitchen counter to defrost, but the fridge is the best option.

    Can I use canned peas?

    Canned peas are much softer than defrosted frozen peas. You could certainly use them as a substitute but the texture of the salad will be much different.

    How long can I keep English pea salad in the refrigerator?

    Store Old Fashioned Pea Salad covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days for the very best flavor.

    Why is it called English Pea Salad?

    English peas are also known as green peas, sweet peas or garden peas. So it's just another name for a standard pea. Unlike snow peas or sugar snap peas, English pea pods are tough and too thick to eat.

    🥗 Easy to Prepare English Pea Salad

    This recipe couldn't be easier to make. Here's all you need to do:

    Cheese, diced onion, bacon and celery in a large bowl on top of peas.
    Pea salad ingredients in a large bowl, tongs are stirring the ingredients.

    Step 1: In a large bowl combine the first five ingredients. The peas, celery, red onion, bacon and grated cheese. Stir to combine.

    Ingredients for the sauce for pea salad, in a small bowl with a whisk.
    Creamy sauce for the pea salad in a small bowl with a whisk.

    Step 2: In another small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to create the delicious sauce.

    Step 3: Add the sauce to the peas and other ingredients and whisk gently until combined.

    Ingredients for pea salad in a bowl with the sauce placed on top but not fully blended yet.

    Step 4: Combine the fresh ingredients in the large bowl with the sauce and stir to combine.

    Pro Tip: For the very best flavor, refrigerate English Pea Salad for at least an hour before serving.

    📋 More Salad Recipes

    Here are a few more side salads I think you and your family will enjoy.

    • A small bowl of shrimp cocktail with lettuce, lemon, celery and avocado.
      Shrimp Cocktail Cups
    • Four photos of summer salads plus text.
      20 BEST Potluck Salads & Sides for Summer
    • A bowl of green bean salad with a serving spoon, a napkin on the side and peppers near the bowl.
      Mixed Bean Salad
    • A serving of chicken curry with grapes, held over a plate.
      Chicken Curry Salad with Grapes

    If you tried this English Pea Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

    Recipe

    Pea salad in a glass serving bowl on an outdoor table.

    English Pea Salad

    Sweet little peas mix perfectly with extra sharp cheddar cheese, celery and red onions. This recipe has it all, texture, crunch, sweet and savory and oh yes, there's crispy bacon in there too.
    5 from 120 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Refrigerate Before Serving: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 people, as a side
    Calories: 481kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 1, 28 ounce bag frozen peas - thawed
    • 1 ½ cup celery - finely chopped (about four stalks)
    • ¼ cup red onion - finely chopped
    • 1 cup bacon - cooked and crumbled
    • 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese - shredded
    • 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
    • ¾ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • salt and pepper - to your liking - or about ¼ teaspoon of each

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl combine the first five ingredients. In another small bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to create the sauce.
      Add the sauce to the peas and other ingredients and stir until combined.
      Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

    Notes

    English Pea Salad can be made in advance and served chilled. There's nothing to keep warm or reheat. This is a super convenient and refreshing option for holiday meals, picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish for your next BBQ alongside Homemade and Delicious Creamed Corn.
    Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 12gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 361mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 168mgIron: 2mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

    More Easy & Delicious Salad Recipes

    • A serving of salad on a large plate.
      Easy Edamame Salad
    • Sweet corn salad on a plate with corn on the cob in the background.
      Sweet Corn Pasta Salad
    • Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad
    • A serving of crunchy cole slaw in a bowl
      Crunchy Cole Slaw

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 120 votes (114 ratings without comment)

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    1. Natalie Perry says

      July 05, 2023 at 10:39 pm

      5 stars
      Never thought I would like pea salad, but I made this for a get together and everyone loved it

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        July 06, 2023 at 7:54 am

        That's great Natalie! Thanks for the five star rating.

        Reply
    2. Bernice says

      July 05, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great vintage recipe... I remember this pea salad on the table every family gathering during pea season. This recipe is just as I remember it!

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        July 06, 2023 at 7:55 am

        Agreed! It truly is a favorite way to serve peas.

        Reply
    3. Nancy says

      July 05, 2023 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      Just the way I like my peas. Flavourful and easy to make salad

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        July 06, 2023 at 7:55 am

        Thanks Nancy!

        Reply
    4. Elizabeth says

      July 05, 2023 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      You just can’t beat a pea salad! It’s so perfect for this time of year. I subbed vegan cheese and bacon and this was perfect.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        July 06, 2023 at 7:56 am

        Great substitutions Elizabeth! Glad you enjoyed the salad.

        Reply
    5. Andréa Janssen says

      July 05, 2023 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      It was a long time ago I've made a pea salad and this creamy version was absolute delicious. The whole bowl was empty afterwards.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        July 06, 2023 at 7:57 am

        Thank you! This salad recipe is famous for creating an empty bowl at the end of an evening.

        Reply
    6. Kit says

      July 05, 2023 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      This sounds great for a bbq! Yum!

      Reply

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