Description
Chilled, creamy, and bursting with Southern charm, this easy Southern Pea Salad is a classic side dish perfect for everything from summer BBQs to holiday dinners. With sweet green peas, crisp bacon, tangy red onion, cheddar cheese, and hard-boiled eggs folded in a rich mayo dressing, it’s satisfying yet simple. Whether you’re looking for a quick side, a make-ahead salad, or just something comforting and flavorful, this dish checks all the boxes. Great for potluck ideas, easy dinner sides, summer lunch, and all your Southern food cravings.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen green peas (thawed and drained)
3 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Thaw the frozen peas by running them under cool water and draining thoroughly.
2. Cook the bacon until crisp, then transfer to a paper towel and crumble once cooled.
3. In a large bowl, combine the peas, chopped eggs, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
4. Add mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to coat without mashing the peas.
5. Fold in most of the crumbled bacon, saving a bit for garnish.
6. Cover and chill the salad for at least 1 hour before serving.
7. Top with remaining bacon just before serving.
Notes
For best texture, make sure peas are completely dry before mixing.
Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: summer salad, southern side, picnic salad, pea salad recipe