English Pea Salad is a delightful side—crisp, creamy, sweet and savory all at once, with crispy bacon adding an irresistible touch. Extra-sharp cheddar, crunchy celery, and a bit of red onion brighten sweet, tender peas for a refreshing salad that’s simple to throw together. This family-favorite side is ready in minutes and pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or your favorite main dishes. Serve chilled any time of year for potlucks, picnics, or backyard BBQs.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
English Pea Salad is a classic, uncomplicated side full of fresh flavor and satisfying texture. The dressing blends Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for a creamy, tangy coating that clings to the peas and mix-ins. It complements potato salad, chicken salads, or sweet corn pasta salads and makes a bright accompaniment to roasted or grilled mains. Make it ahead and serve chilled—no reheating required—so it’s ideal for entertaining or quick weeknight meals.
🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand
This version of English Pea Salad balances convenience and flavor. Key ingredients include:
- Frozen peas: Defrosted frozen peas keep things easy and have a great texture when slightly chilled.
- Cooked bacon: Crispy crumbled bacon lends savory crunch and depth.
- Grated cheddar: Extra-sharp cheddar adds bold flavor; use mild if you prefer a gentler taste.
- Celery and red onion: These provide crunch and a bright bite.
- Greek yogurt + mayonnaise: The dressing base—combined with a touch of apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper—creates a creamy, slightly tangy sauce that pulls the salad together.
See the recipe card below for exact measurements and full ingredient list.
📖 Substitutions and Variations
You can easily adapt this salad to suit tastes or what’s on hand:
- Eggs: Fold in 3–4 chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra richness.
- Ham: Swap diced ham for the bacon or omit meat for a vegetarian version.
- Water chestnuts: Replace celery with chopped water chestnuts for extra crunch.
- Peppers or green onions: Add diced bell pepper or swap red onion for green onions to change the flavor profile.
This recipe yields a generous bowl—consider doubling if you’re serving a crowd, since it tends to disappear quickly.
💭 Recipe FAQs
No. Defrosted frozen peas are fine straight from the bag; they can even be slightly frozen when mixed. For planned prep, move the bag to the fridge an hour or two before making the salad to thaw gently.
You can, but canned peas are much softer and will change the salad’s texture. Frozen peas yield a firmer, fresher bite.
Store covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3–4 days for best flavor and texture.
“English peas” is another name for garden peas or sweet peas—the type commonly sold frozen or shelled—not to be confused with sugar snap or snow peas, which have edible pods.
🥗 Easy to Prepare English Pea Salad
Making this salad is straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: In a large bowl combine the peas, finely chopped celery, red onion, cooked crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar. Stir to mix evenly.
Step 2: In a separate bowl whisk together the dressing: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and gently fold until everything is evenly coated.
Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled.
Pro Tip: Chilling the salad for an hour before serving enhances the flavor and texture.
📋 More Salad Recipes
If you enjoy this salad, try other easy sides like pasta salad with Italian dressing, shrimp cocktail cups, mixed bean salad, or a collection of potluck-friendly salads for summer. These make great complements to family meals and gatherings.
If you tried this English Pea Salad, please leave a star rating and a comment to share how it turned out.
Recipe
English Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 1, 28 ounce bag frozen peas – thawed
- 1 ½ cup celery – finely chopped (about four stalks)
- ¼ cup red onion – finely chopped
- 1 cup bacon – cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese – shredded
- 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- salt and pepper – to taste (about ¼ teaspoon each)
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the peas, celery, red onion, bacon, and shredded cheese. In a separate small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and gently stir until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Notes
English Pea Salad can be made in advance and served chilled. It’s convenient for holidays, picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side for your next BBQ.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate calculated from a food database and should be used as a guideline.