Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon & Cheddar

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Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon & Cheddar

Description
This Creamy Pea Salad is a classic side dish loaded with sweet green peas, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, red onions, and hard-boiled eggs, all tossed in a rich and creamy dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, family gatherings, or an easy make-ahead side dish. Fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare, this salad is always a crowd favorite.

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 4 cups frozen peas, thawed
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup red onion, diced
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

For the Dressing

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Cook bacon until crispy and crumble into small pieces.
  2. Hard-boil the eggs, peel, and chop them.
  3. Finely dice the red onion.
  4. Allow frozen peas to thaw completely and drain excess moisture.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

  1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

  1. Add peas, cheddar cheese, red onion, chopped eggs, and bacon to the bowl.
  2. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 4: Chill

  1. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  2. This allows the flavors to blend and improves the texture.

Step 5: Serve

  1. Garnish with extra bacon, cheese, and chopped parsley if desired.
  2. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Tips & Notes

  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
  • Make the salad a day ahead for even better taste.
  • Drain peas well to prevent a watery dressing.
  • Add diced celery for extra crunch.

Q&A

Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A: Yes, it can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.

Q: Can I use canned peas?
A: Frozen peas are recommended for the best texture and flavor.

Q: How long does it last in the refrigerator?
A: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Servings & Nutrition

Servings: 8

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

  • Calories: 280
  • Protein: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fat: 21g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 420mg

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