🥗 Southern Pea Salad with Bacon & Creamy Dressing 🥓🌿: The Perfect Southern Side Dish
Looking for a delicious, comforting, and easy-to-make side dish for your next family gathering or barbecue? Southern Pea Salad with Bacon & Creamy Dressing is the answer! This dish combines sweet peas with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy, tangy dressing that ties everything together in a burst of flavor. It’s one of those classic Southern dishes that’s as simple to make as it is satisfying. Whether you’re serving it at a potluck or pairing it with your favorite main course, this pea salad will quickly become a go-to favorite.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
16 oz frozen sweet peas (thawed)
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
½ small red onion, finely chopped (optional)
For the Creamy Dressing:
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
✨ Why You’ll Love Southern Pea Salad
Easy & Quick: With just a few ingredients and simple steps, this salad comes together in no time, making it the perfect last-minute side dish.
Flavorful: The sweetness of the peas, smokiness of the bacon, sharpness of the cheddar, and the tangy creaminess of the dressing create a harmonious flavor profile.
Comforting: This salad has a rich, satisfying taste that works well with almost any type of main dish—grilled meats, roasted chicken, or even sandwiches.
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s always a hit at potlucks, BBQs, and family dinners. The combination of textures and flavors makes it a salad that appeals to everyone!
Customizable: Add extra ingredients like green onions, bell peppers, or even a bit of fresh dill to make it your own.
🔥 How to Make Southern Pea Salad with Bacon & Creamy Dressing
1. Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking your bacon. Place the bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until crispy. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
2. Prepare the Peas & Eggs
While the bacon is cooking, thaw the frozen peas by placing them in a colander and running cold water over them for a few minutes. Allow the peas to drain well and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Next, chop the hard-boiled eggs into small pieces.
3. Make the Creamy Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste and mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, combine the thawed peas, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. If you like, add finely chopped red onion for a bit of extra crunch and flavor.
Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss everything together until fully combined. Make sure the dressing evenly coats the peas and other ingredients.
5. Chill & Serve
Once everything is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to meld together and makes the salad even more refreshing.
6. Garnish & Enjoy!
Before serving, you can garnish the salad with a few extra crumbles of bacon or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. Serve chilled as the perfect side dish!
🧑🍳 Pro Tips for the Best Southern Pea Salad
Customize the Dressing: If you prefer a tangier dressing, add a little more vinegar. For extra creaminess, you can increase the amount of mayonnaise or even use sour cream.
Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs, like parsley or dill, can elevate the flavor and add a touch of color to the salad.
Make It Ahead of Time: This salad can be made a day in advance, making it an ideal dish for gatherings. The flavors develop even more as it sits.
Use Fresh Peas (If Available): While frozen peas work perfectly, you can use fresh peas in the summer for a fresher, sweeter taste.
Extra Crunch: Add some chopped bell peppers or celery for a bit of crunch if you enjoy a variety of textures.
🍽️ What to Serve with Southern Pea Salad
This Southern pea salad is incredibly versatile and can be paired with many different dishes:
Grilled Meats: Serve this salad with grilled chicken, steaks, burgers, or pork for a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
BBQ Favorites: The smoky, tangy flavor of this pea salad makes it an excellent side dish for BBQ ribs, pulled pork, or any smoked meats.
Sandwiches: Whether it’s a classic BLT, chicken sandwich, or a hearty pulled pork sandwich, this salad is the perfect sidekick.
Other Southern Dishes: It pairs wonderfully with other Southern classics like cornbread, fried chicken, or macaroni and cheese.
Cold Cuts: If you’re serving a cold-cut platter, this salad would make an excellent addition to your spread.
🎉 Why You’ll Love Southern Pea Salad
Balanced Flavor: The sweetness of peas and the smokiness of bacon create a perfect contrast, while the creamy dressing brings everything together beautifully.
Comfort Food: This salad embodies the rich, comforting flavors that Southern cuisine is known for. It’s satisfying without being too heavy.
Easy to Make: You don’t need any special equipment or complicated techniques—just mix the ingredients and let the fridge do the work.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a holiday gathering, this salad always feels like a celebration.
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s hard to resist a salad that combines creamy, smoky, and cheesy goodness all in one dish.
Conclusion
Southern Pea Salad with Bacon & Creamy Dressing is a classic, flavorful dish that combines the best of comfort food with a touch of Southern charm. The sweet peas, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and creamy dressing come together in a perfect harmony that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, a summer BBQ, or as a side dish for a casual dinner, this salad will surely steal the show. With minimal prep and big flavor, it’s easy to see why this is a go-to recipe for any occasion. So grab those frozen peas, cook up some crispy bacon, and get ready to enjoy a Southern classic! 🥓🥗🌿