The Best Southern Pea Salad Recipe

This creamy Southern pea salad with bacon, cheddar, and a sweet tangy dressing is the perfect easy side dish for Easter, potlucks, and family dinners.

There are just certain dishes that show up at every Southern table… and pea salad is one of them.

Now I’ll be honest—growing up, I didn’t always reach for the pea salad first. I was heading straight for the deviled eggs or banana pudding. But somewhere along the way, I had a bite of one that was just right creamy, a little sweet, a little tangy, with crispy bacon tucked in every bite and I thought, “Now wait a minute… where has this been all my life?”

That’s the thing about Southern cooking. Sometimes it’s the simplest dishes that surprise you the most.

And this one right here? This is the kind that disappears fast at Easter lunch, church potlucks, or any spring gathering. It’s cool, creamy, and just the perfect balance of flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Perfect make-ahead side dish
• Creamy, sweet, and tangy all at once
• Loaded with bacon, cheese, and flavor
• A classic Southern favorite for Easter and potlucks

What You’ll Need to Make the Best Southern Pea Salad

(Be sure to see full printable recipe below)

• Frozen green peas (thawed and drained)
• Bacon
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise (Duke’s is my favorite)
• Sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard (my little secret for extra flavor)
• Salt and pepper
• Red onion
• Sharp cheddar cheese (cubed and shredded)

How to Make Southern Pea Salad

1. Cook your bacon until nice and crispy, then crumble and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Add in your thawed peas, diced red onion, and cheddar cheese.
4. Gently fold everything together until well coated.

1. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours to let the flavors come together.
2. Right before serving, stir in the bacon so it stays crisp.

Tips for the Best Pea Salad

• Make sure your peas are fully thawed and drained so the dressing stays creamy
• Let it chill before serving—this makes all the difference
• Add bacon last so it doesn’t get soggy
• If your onion is strong, soak it in cold water for a few minutes first

The little touch of garlic powder is what takes this pea salad from a simple side dish to something people keep going back for. It doesn’t overpower. It just adds that extra depth that makes you wonder what makes it so good.

Perfect for Entertaining

This is one of those dishes that fits right in on any table:

• Easter dinner
• Sunday lunch
• Backyard cookouts
• Church potlucks

Serve it alongside ham, fried chicken, or barbecue—it goes with just about everything.

Storage Tips

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Give it a gentle stir before serving again
• Best enjoyed fresh—freezing is not recommended

A Little Final Thought

There’s just something about a cold, creamy salad sitting on a Southern table next to a big ham and a glass of sweet tea that feels like home.

And this pea salad? It’s one of those quiet little dishes that may not look fancy… but it sure knows how to steal the show.

Thank you for stopping by. I’ll be back soon with more delicious Southern recipes.

Aletia

Be sure to check out these recipes too.

The Best Broccoli Raisin Salad

Southern Potato Salad

The Best Creamy Southern

Southern Creamy Cucumber, Tomato and Vidalia

Onion Salad/

Southern Cucumber, Tomato and Vidalia Onion Salad

Cornbread Salad

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions about the recipes.  I would love to hear from you and if you make it, be sure to use #deliciouslysouthern and let me know how you like it. Lastly, please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

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