Bacon Pea Salad – Creamy Make-Ahead Side Dish

Bacon Pea Salad is a creamy cold side dish made with sweet peas, crispy halal bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, and a tangy mayonnaise-sour cream dressing. It is a simple make-ahead salad that works beautifully for barbecues, potlucks, family dinners, and holiday tables.

The charm of this recipe comes from its contrast of flavors and textures. The peas are sweet and fresh, the halal bacon adds a smoky crunch, the cheddar gives richness, and the red onion adds a sharp bite that balances the creamy dressing. Since the salad needs chilling time, it is also practical when you want to prepare something before guests arrive.

With only 15 minutes of active prep and no stovetop cooking besides preparing the bacon, this Bacon Pea Salad is easy, reliable, and refreshing. Serve it cold after at least 2 hours in the refrigerator for the best flavor and texture.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time / Chill Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Difficulty: Easy
• Category: Salad / Side Dish
• Cuisine: American-inspired
• Storage: Up to 4 days in the refrigerator
• Freezing: Not recommended
• Serving: Serve cold

Ingredients

• 4 cups frozen peas, thawed
• 8 slices halal beef bacon or halal turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, or cubed, about 2 oz
• ¼ cup finely diced red onion or sweet white onion, more to taste

Dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

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