The Best Bacon Pea Salad

This bacon pea salad is a perfect side salad for just about any meal. Tonight I’m serving this salad with homemade French bread and some baked chicken thighs.

I love frozen peas more than canned peas. I do remember a salad my mom made using canned peas with cheese cubes and mayo. I haven’t made that recipe for years.

Once I was introduced to frozen sweet petite peas, my life changed. I love them in tossed salads and as a side dish. They taste so much like freshly picked peas!

This salad has sweet peas, bacon, cranberries, cashews, and green onions with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It’s perfect for family reunions and even Sunday dinner. Everything is better with bacon, right?

It’s so funny, I was baking the bacon for this recipe, and the whole family asked, “Is this for a post, or can we eat some?” You know, the whole house smells like bacon when you cook some. In case you missed this post, How To Cook Bacon In The Oven

This dish would be perfect for your next potluck or church-sponsored neighborhood get-together. Be ready to hand out the recipe, people will love this salad.

It’s so versatile because you can add in bell peppers, hard-boiled eggs, and some of your other favorite veggies. It’s a win-win side dish for adults and kids.

Items You May Need In The Kitchen

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Colander

The Best Bacon Pea Salad

Step One

Gather your ingredients so you’re ready to make the recipe.

Step Two

Run cold water over the frozen peas to help them thaw, and then let them drain. Set aside.

Step Three

Chop the cooked bacon into small bite-size pieces.

Step Four

Chop the green onions into small pieces.

Step Five

Combine the cooked bacon, sweet peas, chopped green onions, cashews you’ve also chopped, and the cranberries in a large bowl. Set aside.

Step Six

Grab a bowl and whisk the mayo, white vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.

Finished Product

Pour the dressing over the bowl with the chopped bacon, sweet peas, chopped green onions, chopped cashews, and cranberries, and stir until evenly covered.

Bacon Pea Salad Recipe

How do I store this pea salad?

I store my salad in a Tupperware-type airtight container. It will be good for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Can I use Ranch dressing instead of making the mayo dressing?

Yes, you can. Sometimes we’re in a hurry and just need to add a quick salad dressing we have in the frig. Ranch dressing is a perfect substitute.

Can I freeze this salad?

No, I would not recommend it because the mayo would separate and the salad will be less crispy. Fresh is always best.

Can I skip the cashews?

Yes, you can, I grew up with this salad and we didn’t put any nuts in our salad.

Can I add cubed cheese to this recipe?

This salad originally had cubed cheddar cheese in it. I still add some occasionally. It’s yummy either way.

Do I need to cook the frozen peas?

Actually, frozen vegetables have been blanched, so you don’t need to cook them. Blanched means the vegetables have been dipped in boiling water and quickly dipped in cold water afterward to stop the cooking process which would make the veggies mushy.

Do I have to buy Petite or baby peas?

Here’s the deal, baby petite peas have more sugar in them so they are naturally sweeter.

Can I add some shredded cheddar cheese?

Absolutely, I love shredded cheese in this salad.

Can I use purple onions instead of green onions?

Yes, you can. I love purple onions in just about any salad. I had green onions, so I used them today.

Can I use fresh peas from my garden?

You sure can, shell them and boil them for 3-4 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain them.

Can I add celery to this salad?

Just about every time I go to the grocery store I pick up some fresh celery. It adds crunch to this salad and/or any salad for that matter.

What about grated carrots?

For sure, I think we are all trying to add more veggies to our meals. I love grated carrots!

What can I serve with this salad?

• Chicken Legs
• Chicken Thighs
• BBQ Steak
• French Bread
• Dinner Rolls
• Spiral Ham
• Grilled Shrimp

Final Word

Let me know if you make this bacon pea salad. It’s all about cooking from scratch and teaching our kids and grandkids this very important skill. Please stay safe, stay well, and keep stocking up. May God Bless this world, Linda