Southern Pea Salad

Southern Pea Salad has been my secret weapon at family gatherings since my mama first handed me the recipe back in ’98. This creamy, crunchy blend of sweet peas, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and hard-boiled eggs comes together in minutes but tastes like you’ve been stirring all afternoon.

What really sets this salad apart is the tangy dressing that ties it all together, getting better and better as it chills. It’s become a go-to for busy weeknights or big summer picnics where it’s always the first dish to disappear. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving a quick, satisfying side, this Southern Pea Salad brings that perfect balance of flavor and comfort every time.

Why You’ll Love This Southern Pea Salad

Trust me, this isn’t your average side dish. Here’s why it’s been my go-to for decades:

• Crazy easy: Throw it together in 15 minutes flat, no cooking required (unless you count boiling eggs)
• Crowd pleaser: I’ve never brought leftovers home from a potluck. Ever.
• Perfect texture: Creamy dressing with little pops of sweet peas and crispy bacon? Yes please!
• Make ahead magic: Tastes even better after chilling, so you can prep it and forget it
• Versatile: Goes with everything from barbecue ribs to Sunday fried chicken

Honestly, I keep the ingredients stocked year-round because this salad saves me on busy nights and special occasions alike.

Ingredients for Southern Pea Salad

Now let’s talk about what makes this salad so darn good. Every time I make this, I swear my grocery list looks exactly the same because I’ve learned the hard way, don’t mess with perfection! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen sweet peas, thawed (or canned peas if you’re in a pinch, just drain them well)
• 2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped (my trick, I boil a dozen at the start of the week so they’re ready when I need them)
• 4 to 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (or 1 cup chopped ham when I’m feeling lazy)
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions (regular onions work too, but trust me, the green ones add such fresh flavor)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp is my favorite, but use what you’ve got in the fridge)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I always taste before adding the full amount)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (the secret ingredient that makes people ask “what is that amazing flavor?”)
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds (or 1/2 cup chopped celery if you like more crunch)
• A sprinkle of cayenne pepper (optional, but I always add just a pinch for a little kick)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (Duke’s is my Southern grandma approved choice)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (plain Greek yogurt works great too for a lighter version)

See? Nothing fancy, just simple ingredients that work magic together. I always tell my daughter, “If you can read, you can make this salad!” The best part is you probably have most of this in your kitchen right now.

How to Make Southern Pea Salad

Alright, let’s get mixing! This salad comes together quicker than you can say “potluck,” but there are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years to make it perfect every time. Follow these steps, and you’ll have people begging for the recipe.

Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients

Grab your biggest mixing bowl. I always use my grandma’s old yellow one for this. Toss in those thawed peas first (make sure they’re drained well if you used canned). Next, add your chopped hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon crumbles, green onions, and shredded cheese.

Here’s my secret: Fold everything together gently with a rubber spatula instead of stirring hard. You want to keep those peas plump and pretty, not mashed into mush!

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

Now for the good stuff! In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until it’s smooth as silk. If you’re using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, no worries, it blends up just the same.

This is when I sprinkle in all those seasonings, garlic powder, celery seeds, and that pinch of cayenne if I’m feeling spicy. Taste it! Need more salt? More pepper? Adjust it now before it coats all those yummy ingredients.

Step 3: Chill Before Serving

Pour that creamy dressing over your pea mixture and fold everything together until it’s just combined. Don’t overmix! Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (or if you’re like me, just stick the whole bowl in a grocery bag) and pop it in the fridge.

Here’s the hard part: Wait at least an hour before serving. I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but trust me, letting those flavors mingle makes all the difference. The salad keeps beautifully for 3 days in the fridge, though it never lasts that long at my house!

Oh! Almost forgot, if you want extra crunch and color, now’s the time to stir in some diced bell peppers. I love adding red ones around the holidays for a festive touch.

Tips for the Best Southern Pea Salad

After making this salad more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “can I get your recipe?” amazing:

• Dry those peas! After thawing frozen peas (or draining canned ones), pat them dry with paper towels. Nobody wants a watery salad.
• Go fresh with celery if you can, it adds the perfect crispness that celery seeds alone can’t match.
• Start light on cayenne, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s too spicy.
• Let it get cozy in the fridge; that hour of chilling time isn’t optional if you want maximum flavor.
• Double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd, it disappears faster than you’d think!

Follow these little tips, and you’ll have people thinking you’re a Southern cooking legend.

Variations of Southern Pea Salad

Oh, the fun part! This salad is like a blank canvas, y’all. Sometimes I swap the bacon for diced ham when I’m cleaning out the fridge. My neighbor Linda swears by using ranch dressing instead of mayo.

Want to get fancy? Try adding some diced pickles or a handful of sunflower seeds for crunch. The best part about this recipe? It forgives your experiments and still tastes amazing.

Serving Suggestions for Southern Pea Salad

I love how this salad fits in anywhere! Serve it alongside grilled burgers and hot dogs at summer cookouts, or with fried chicken at Sunday dinner. It’s my secret weapon for potlucks because it travels like a dream.

Sometimes I even eat it straight from the bowl as a light lunch with some crackers. Don’t be surprised when it becomes the star of your table!

Storing and Reheating Southern Pea Salad

Here’s the beautiful thing about this salad:

It actually gets better as it sits! Just tuck it into an airtight container in the fridge where it’ll stay fresh as a daisy for up to 3 days. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Can I warm it up?” Bless your heart, no! This is one of those rare dishes that’s meant to stay chilled. The dressing breaks down when heated, and nobody wants soggy bacon. Trust me, it’s perfect straight from the fridge.

Nutritional Information for Southern Pea Salad

Now let’s talk numbers, sugar. A serving of this Southern Pea Salad (about 1 cup) packs about 250 calories with 10g of protein to keep you full. You’re looking at 18g fat (6g saturated), 12g carbs with 3g fiber, and 450mg sodium.

Remember y’all, these numbers dance around depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the type of cheese or whether you go heavy on that delicious bacon. It’s comfort food, not health food, but everything in moderation tastes better anyway!

Southern Pea Salad FAQs

Southern Pea Salad Internal Linking Suggestions

Here are some delicious dishes that pair perfectly with Southern Pea Salad or make great additions to your next meal.

• Dill Pickle Pasta Salad: A tangy and creamy pasta salad that complements Southern flavors perfectly.
• Loaded Baked Potato Dip: A rich, crowd-pleasing appetizer ideal for Southern gatherings.
• BBQ Baked Beans with Ground Beef: Hearty beans with smoky depth, a Southern barbecue staple.
• Cucumber Feta Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with Mediterranean flair to balance rich Southern dishes.

Give these flavorful recipes a try to round out your Southern-inspired menu and impress your guests with variety!

Why This Is the Best Southern Pea Salad Recipe

This Southern Pea Salad is a timeless family favorite that brings the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors to your table. The combination of sweet peas, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and hard-boiled eggs mixed in a tangy, luscious dressing makes it irresistible. What makes this recipe stand out is its simplicity and the way the flavors meld beautifully after chilling, giving you a dish that’s both easy to make and truly satisfying.

Whether you’re serving it at a potluck or craving a comforting side for dinner, this salad always disappears fast. Try this recipe, leave a comment to share your experience, and follow along on Pinterest for more delicious, easy recipes!

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