Southern Pea Salad Classic
A delightful and easy-to-make salad featuring a creamy base with crunchy elements, perfect for barbecues and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce package frozen sweet peas, thawed (or canned peas) Thaw peas completely for best texture.
- 2 pieces hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 4-6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (or 1 cup cooked and chopped ham, optional) Bacon adds a smoky flavor, ham is a good alternative.
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions (or regular onions, if preferred)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any preferred cheese) Use your favorite cheese.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds (or 1/2 cup chopped celery) Celery adds crunch.
- 1 sprinkle cayenne pepper Add more for a spicier kick.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream For a lighter option, substitute with Greek yogurt.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed sweet peas, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon or chopped ham (if using), chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Sprinkle in the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, celery seeds (or chopped celery), and a dash of cayenne. Stir thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until they form a smooth mixture. Pour this dressing over the pea mixture and gently stir to coat all the ingredients.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend together wonderfully.
Notes
Serve the salad cold and consider using a glass bowl for an eye-catching presentation. It tastes better the next day as the flavors develop.