Pea Salad

Our classic pea salad is so simple to make but packs a punch with flavor. A creamy dressing, plenty of cheese and crunchy bacon make this salad a must make when you need to serve a crowd.

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Table of Contents

Pea Salad Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Pea Salad Recipe With Miracle Whip
How To Serve A Classic Pea Salad
When to Serve This Recipe For Pea Salad
Storing A Pea Salad Recipe With Miracle Whip
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love
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Our creamy pea salad is a classic side dish that you will love to whip up. Crisp peas, a delicious dressing, crispy bacon and plenty of cheese make this dish a fantastic way to dress up this green vegetable.

close up shot of a bowl of Pea Salad topped with bacon bits

Pea Salad Ingredients

Pea Salad raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

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

PRO TIP:

If you prefer shredded cheese in your pea salad, you can certainly shred it instead of cubing it.

Substitutions and Additions

PEAS: If you have fresh peas available to you, you can substitute them for frozen peas in this easy recipe.

CHEESE: There is plenty of flexibility when it comes to the variety of cheese you use in this cold pea salad. Try changing it up with sharp cheddar cheese or another of your favorite cheeses.

DRESSING: In place of the homemade salad dressing, you could opt to use a bottled ranch dressing instead in this classic recipe.

EGGS: English pea salad is a variation of this great recipe and adds hard boiled eggs to the salad mixture.

How To Make This Pea Salad Recipe With Miracle Whip

STEP ONE: 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.

STEP TWO: Cover bowl in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.

STEP THREE: 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.

bacon added to the salad ingredients in a bowl

How To Serve A Classic Pea Salad

Pea salad is best served chilled. You can prepare it a few hours in advance and keep it in the fridge until it’s time to serve. This allows the flavors to meld.

PRESENTATION: Simply serve the pea salad in a clear or decorative glass bowl, allowing the vibrant green color of the peas to shine through.

You can even sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, chives, or dill on top of the pea salad before serving for added flavor.

SERVE AS A SIDE DISH TO GRILLED MEAT: Pea salad pairs wonderfully with various grilled meats as the refreshing taste of a pea salad complements the smoky flavors of the grill perfectly.

Make it a side dish to grilled chicken breasts or chicken thighs, pork chops, kebabs, or, even, a delicate grilled salmon.

SERVE WITH COLD CUTS: Serve pea salad as a side dish on a platter of cold cuts, cheeses, and fresh bread for a classic lunch.

SERVE ON A RELISH TRAY: Include pea salad as part of a relish tray with pickles, olives, and other cold salads.

SERVE BUFFET-STYLE: Its ease of serving and ability to be prepared ahead of time makes pea salad suitable for buffet setups.

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When to Serve This Recipe For Pea Salad

Since it is easy peasy to put together and uses frozen peas, you can make this recipe any time of the year and, even, whip it up for busy weeknight meals.

POTLUCKS: This pea salad recipe is easy to prepare in large quantities, making it a popular choice for potluck dinners where you need to bring a dish to share.

For a diverse salad spread, consider serving pea salad alongside other classic salads like coleslaw, potato salad and macaroni salad.

The different textures and flavors will offer a delightful variety to your guests. Our cucumber salad and broccoli salad also work well together.

EASTER: Easter meals often feature lamb, ham, or roasted chicken. Pea salad can be a refreshing counterpoint to these rich meats.

Consider adding fresh mint to the pea salad, as mint pairs wonderfully with both peas and lamb.

THANKSGIVING: Thanksgiving is all about the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. The lightness of pea salad can balance out the heaviness of other Thanksgiving dishes.

Garnish with crumbled bacon and toasted pecans to add a autumnal flavor that complements other Thanksgiving dishes.

CHRISTMAS: Pea salad’s refreshing taste can be a palate cleanser amidst the rich flavors of Christmas dishes.

BRIDAL SHOWERS: Whether brunch or afternoon tea is on the menu, this pea salad recipe complements croissants, scones and tarts.

Since bridal showers lean towards elegance, serve in a clear glass bowl or a white porcelain bowl to showcase the color.

BABY SHOWERS: Pea salad pairs well with light and easy-to-eat foods like cucumber sandwiches – which makes it perfect for baby showers.

Keep in mind that baby showers often have a theme or color scheme. If it’s a spring-themed baby shower, choose fresh mint or edible flowers as your garnish.

If there’s a color theme, pick garnishes that match or contrast nicely, like red radishes for a pink theme.

WEEKNIGHT MEAL: Serve pea salad as a side dish with main courses like roasted chicken, casseroles, or pasta dishes for a simple family meal.

We love it with Italian chicken and mashed potatoes.

Storing A Pea Salad Recipe With Miracle Whip

Proper storage ensures that this salad remains fresh, delicious and retains its vibrant flavors and textures.

MAKE AHEAD: This pea salad is one of those dishes that actually benefits from a little resting time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

If you’re planning an event or simply prepping for meals, you can make this salad a day in advance.

Just ensure you keep it in an airtight container and give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.

IN THE FRIDGE: To store the pea salad in the refrigerator, place it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other odors.

Properly stored, the salad should is best consumed within 2-3 days for optimal flavor.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this pea salad as it may change the texture of the peas and the creaminess of the dressing.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this classic pea salad ahead of time?

This simple salad can easily be made a couple of hours ahead of time. Just wait to add the bacon until you are ready to serve.

Do I need to cook frozen peas before adding them to the salad?

When you buy frozen vegetables, they have already been blanched (partially cooked and quickly chilled).

All you need to do is rinse them under cold water to thaw and remove any excess moisture with a paper towel.

Can I freeze pea salad?

We don’t recommend freezing this salad. The dressing will separate and will not give you the texture you want when thawed.

Our green pea salad needs only a handful of simple ingredients to make this tasty salad with the absolute best flavor. The saltiness of the bacon and the creamy texture of the cheese and dressing make this sweet pea salad the perfect side dish all year round.

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Pea Salad

5 from 2 votes

Our classic pea salad is so simple to make but packs a punch with flavor. A creamy dressing, plenty of cheese and crunchy bacon make this salad a must make when you need to serve a crowd.

Prep Time 10

Total Time 40

Servings

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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

Instructions

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.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Rhadonda Sedgwick Creative Director
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Pea Salad

Pea Salad Ingredients

Substitutions and Additions

How To Make This Pea Salad Recipe With Miracle Whip

How To Serve A Classic Pea Salad

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When to Serve This Recipe For Pea Salad

Storing A Pea Salad Recipe With Miracle Whip

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