Description
This vibrant Pea Salad combines tender petite peas with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and toasted almonds, all tossed in a creamy, herby dressing featuring sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh herbs. Perfect as a refreshing side dish for picnics, barbecues, or casual meals, this salad is quick to prepare and packs a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh chives
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 4 cups frozen petite peas, thawed
- 8 oz. bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- 4 oz. medium cheddar cheese, cut into tiny cubes or shredded
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, chives, dill, garlic powder, and season with salt and black pepper to taste until smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the thawed peas, crisp chopped bacon, cheddar cheese, and toasted almonds. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss to coat: Gently toss all the ingredients together to evenly coat everything with the creamy dressing without mashing the peas.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for up to one day before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- Make sure the peas are fully thawed and drained to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- For extra flavor, you can add finely diced red onion or celery for crunch.
- Use smoked bacon for a deeper savory flavor.
- Toast almonds by dry roasting them in a skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant.
- Prepare the salad up to a day in advance for best flavor, but avoid storing longer to keep the fresh texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for cooking bacon and toasting almonds)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
