• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grain Free Table logo
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Let's Connect
  • Work With Me
  • About
×

Home » Recipes

Southern English Pea Salad Recipe

Published: Apr 13, 2020 · Modified: Feb 8, 2022 by Sara Vaughn · Leave a Comment

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Click for complete disclosures. 

This English pea salad is made with simple ingredients that make this salad cool, crisp, and full of flavor. It makes the perfect crowd-pleasing side dish for all your spring and summer gatherings.

Who else grew up in the south? I might be showing my age a little bit here, but growing up in the south in the '80s, all BBQs had someone's grandma's version of a pea salad on the table. This recipe is still one of my favorites and is now one of my family's favorites too. I usually have to make a double batch so my kids can eat on it and still have enough for whatever I plan to serve this English pea salad with.

English pea salad - the perfect side dish!

Trust me; I know peas are one of those vegetables that can get a bad reputation because hello peas? I'm sure that most people's memories of peas are probably those squishy pale green mess that gets poured out of a can. This is not those peas. I mean, it is technically, but it's not. These are the GOOD peas!

Looking into a bowl of English pea salad.

Ingredients for Pea Salad

This southern English pea salad has really simple ingredients, but they come together perfectly.

  • Peas
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Bacon - If you want to make pea salad without bacon, you can by subbing in chopped ham or your choice of chopped meat. You can also leave the meat out entirely and make this a vegetarian pea salad.
  • Red Onion
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sour Cream - You can substitute greek yogurt for sour cream if you prefer.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dill
  • Salt and Pepper
Overhead view of the ingredients needed for English pea salad.

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER FOR FREE AND RECEIVE WEEKLY RECIPE NOTIFICATIONS AND SUBSCRIBER ONLY BONUSES.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW GRAIN FREE TABLE ON PINTEREST TO MAKE IT EASY TO SAVE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES!

Tips for making the best pea salad.

What is the best kind of peas to use for pea salad?

I do not recommend canned peas for making pea salad. I always use frozen peas and let them defrost. There is no need to cook the frozen peas before making pea salad.

What is the best way to defrost peas for making pea salad?

Remove the peas from their package and place them into a colander over a bowl. Place the peas in the fridge overnight or on the counter while you prep the remaining ingredients. If the peas are still slightly frozen when you make the pea salad, they will defrost as the salad rests.

Does pea salad have eggs?

You can choose to add hard-boiled eggs to pea salad or not. I prefer pea salad without eggs, so I tend to leave them.

Can you make pea salad without mayonnaise?

You can sub in more sour cream or greek yogurt to make this English pea salad without mayonnaise.

How to make pea salad.

  1. Thaw the peas.
  2. Cook and chop the bacon. I prefer to make my bacon in the oven, so it's less messy.
  3. Dice the red onion and cheese.
  4. Make the sauce.
  5. Toss it all together and chill till you're ready to serve.
Steps for making english pea salad by cooking the bacon and chopping the onions and cheese. Then mixing the sauce together. Finally bring it all together and chill.

How to serve pea salad.

  • This pea salad is best served cold.
  • Pea salad makes the perfect spring and summer side dish. It can go from being an Easter side dish to a fourth of July BBQ side dish to even just enjoy on a weeknight.
  • My kids will make this pea salad a meal by adding it into some lettuce cups and eating it in their lunches.
  • My grandmother used to make this as a layered pea salad to make it look "extra fancy" for those special occasions. Creating a layered pea salad is simple: just toss the peas and dress together, and form layers with the remaining ingredients in the order you like.

Storing leftover pea salad.

The best way to store leftover pea salad is in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Can You freeze pea salad?

In a word, no, freezing pea salad is not recommended. The reason for this lies mainly with the sauce. If it freezes, it will separate and get grainy. You will likely end up with a sloppy mush of a salad if you freeze it.

Can you make pea salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make pea salad ahead of time. Pea salad will hold in the fridge for a few days, so feel free to make it the day before. The flavors will pop more, giving it time to rest and chill.

More Easy Sides

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Creamed Spinach

Deviled Eggs

Slow-Cooked Baked Beans

Fried Okra

Overhead view of English pea salad in a bowl.
English pea salad on a fork.

Classic Southern English Pea Salad

Sara Vaughn
This English pea salad is made with simple ingredients that make this salad cool, crisp, and full of flavor. It makes the perfect crowd-pleasing side dish for all your spring and summer gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish, vegetables
Cuisine english, southern
Servings 10
Calories 352 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 Ounces Frozen Peas
  • 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese small diced
  • ½ Cup Red Onion small diced
  • 3-4 Slices Cooked Bacon or about ½ cup diced ham

For the Dressing

  • ¾ Cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ Cup Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon Dill
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place the frozen peas into a strainer over a bowl. Set them aside to allow them to defrost.
    16 Ounces Frozen Peas
  • Cook and chop the bacon into bite-size pieces. If you are using ham, dice the already cooked ham and place it into a bowl.
    3-4 Slices Cooked Bacon
  • Dice the cheese and onions, and add them to the bowl with the bacon or ham.
    1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, ½ Cup Red Onion
  • Add the peas, onions, cheese and bacon into a bowl together.
  •  In a separate bowl, add the mayonnaise with the sour cream, apple cider vinegar, dill, garlic and salt and pepper rest of the for the dressing and stir till combined.
    ¾ Cup Mayonnaise, ¼ Cup Sour Cream, 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ Teaspoon Dill, ½ Teaspoon Salt, ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
  •  Pour the sauce over the bowl of mixed peas and gently mix.
  • Store covered in the fridge until ready to serve and enjoy!

Notes

What is the best kind of peas to use for pea salad?
I do not recommend canned peas for making pea salad. I always use frozen peas and let them defrost. There is no need to cook the frozen peas before making pea salad.
What is the best way to defrost peas for making pea salad?
Remove the peas from their package and place them into a colander over a bowl. Place the peas in the fridge overnight or on the counter while you prep the remaining ingredients. If the peas are still slightly frozen when you make the pea salad, they will defrost as the salad rests.
Does pea salad have eggs?
You can choose to add hard-boiled eggs to pea salad or not. I prefer pea salad without eggs, so I tend to leave them.
Can you make pea salad without mayonnaise?
You can sub in more sour cream or Greek yogurt to make this English pea salad without mayonnaise.
Keyword pea salad, pea salad with bacon, southern pea salad

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo #grainfreetable or @grainfreetable on Instagram. I'd love to see what you come up with!

Check these out next!

  • Gluten-free Garlic Bread
  • Gluten-free Vanilla Cake
  • Easy Gluten-free French Bread
  • Super Soft Gluten-free Brioche Bread

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Grain Free Table Author Sara in her kitchen

Welcome to Grain Free Table! I’m Sara- a busy wife, mom of two girls, and lover of food. Here you’ll find lots of easy and delicious gluten & allergy-friendly recipes, info about my favorite food & products, as well as little snippets of my health journey as I navigate my gluten-free way of life!

More about me →

WANT TO STAY CONNECTED?

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS AND UPDATES!

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

WHAT'S NEW ON INSTAGRAM

If you're still deciding what game day snacks to h If you're still deciding what game day snacks to have this coming weekend, let me suggest these air-fryer bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers. They are the perfect gluten-free party snack that the whole crowd will love. 

The best part is they can be completely prepped ahead of time, which makes your game day better by not having to be in the kitchen cooking the whole time and missing all the good plays!

Find the full recipe and all my tips and tricks at https://grainfreetable.com/air-fryer-bacon-wrapped-jalapeno-poppers-gluten-free/ or use the site link in my bio.

#glutenfreesnacks #glutenfreeappetizer #glutenfreefood #glutenfreeparty #footballsnacks #superbowlfood #glutenfreerecipes #airfryerrecipes #jalapenopoppers #baconwrapped
When it comes to Valentines desserts don’t let n When it comes to Valentines desserts don’t let not wanting to turn on the oven stop you from making your loved one a treat. This gluten-free no bake cheesecake gives you all the delicious cheesecake flavors you love with very little work!

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-no-bake-cheesecake/ or use the site link in my bio.

#cheesecake #nobakecheesecake #glutenfreecheesecake #nobakedessert #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreefood #valentinesdessert
Brighten up Valentine's dinner this year and make Brighten up Valentine's dinner this year and make your loved one my balsamic bruschetta chicken. It's light, bright, and so full of flavor even though it's beyond simple to make.

Pair some of the extra bruschettas with some of my toasted gluten-free french bread, and your loved one will swoon.

Find the full recipes at https://grainfreetable.com/grilled-balsamic-bruschetta-chicken/ or use the site link in my bio. 

#balsamicchicken #bruschetta #bruschettas #glutenfreedinner #datenightdinner #glutenfreefrenchbread #valentinesdinner #easychickendinner #chickendinner #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreerecipe
Skip the overpriced crowded restaurants this Valen Skip the overpriced crowded restaurants this Valentine’s Day and make this delicious French onion chicken dinner and enjoy a relaxing night at home this year instead.

You get all the flavors you love in French onion soup in this super comforting chicken dinner. It’s the ultimate, unexpected romantic dinner your loved one will enjoy this year!

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/french-onion-chicken/ or use the site link in my bio!

Are you team date night out or date night in for Valentines?

#glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreediet #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedinner #datenightdinner #datenightideas #valentinesdinner #frenchonionchicken
We have an unexpected weather day here due to icy We have an unexpected weather day here due to icy roads. That means everyone is home with school closing, along with most of the local stores.

Thankfully, I already have everything on hand to whip up a batch of my gluten-free hamburger helper for dinner tonight. 

It's warm and comforting on this icy cold day, all while having dinner ready in no time at all. 

If you need something quick, easy, and delicious head to https://grainfreetable.com/easy-weeknight-skillet-chili-mac-and-cheese/ for the full recipe or use the site link in my bio.

#glutenfreepasta #glutenfreedinner #glutenfreefood #glutenfreediet #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreemeals #easyweeknightmeals #hamburgerhelper
If you want an easy but fancy-ish dinner for this If you want an easy but fancy-ish dinner for this weekend, you must make my gluten-free chicken parm!

You get all the juicy chicken coated in a gluten-free breading, all topped with marinara and gooey cheese. It's the ultimate gluten-free chicken dinner.

Just be warned, you should make extras for those wanting seconds. 🙃

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/crispy-gluten-free-chicken-parmesan/ or click the site link in my bio. 

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedinner #glutenfreechicken #glutenfreechickenparm #chickenparmesan #chickenparm
With all the delicious soups going around this tim With all the delicious soups going around this time of year, I should remind you that it all goes well with some homemade gluten-free garlic bread. 🙃

Find out all my tips and tricks for the best garlic bread at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-garlic-bread/ or use the site link in my bio.

#glutenfreebread #glutenfreegarlicbread #garlicbread #garlicbreadrecipe #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreebreadrecipe #glutenfreefood
It's a SNOW day around here, and my kids are so ha It's a SNOW day around here, and my kids are so happy since it's the first snow day they've had all school year, haha. We've had snow, but this is the first time it's lasted long enough for my husband to need to shovel and the kids to get off school and go out and build a snowman.

All the cold has me inside, making more of this gluten-free vegetable soup with chorizo. It's the perfect way to warm up on a cold day.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/kale-and-chorizo-soup/, along with more of our favorite gluten-free soup recipes.

#glutenfree #glutenfreefood #glutenfreesoup #glutenfreesoups #glutenfreerecipe #kalesoup #souprecipe #vegetablesoup
Need to add a little red luck this weekend for the Need to add a little red luck this weekend for the Chinese New Year?

Don't worry there is still time to make my gluten-free Chinese BBQ pork, Char Siu.

With a bit of patience to let the pork marinate long enough, you'll be amazed at how much this gluten-free version tastes, just like your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-chinese-bbq-pork-char-siu/ or use the link in my bio to snag the recipe on the site. 

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreechinese #glutenfreepork #glutenfreefood #glutenfreerecipe #chinesenewyear

Popular Recipes

gluten free swedish meatball being picked up with a black fork ready to be enjoyed.

Incredibly Easy Gluten-free Swedish Meatballs

Homemade gluten-free sweet and tangy bbq beef jerky sitting in a jar and spilled over the side.

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Beef Jerky

Louisiana style red beans and cauliflower rice in a white pan with a wooden handle sitting over a white table linen on a marble counter.

Louisiana Red Beans and Cauliflower Rice

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • My Favorites
  • Let's Connect
  • About

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Portfolio
  • Client Inquiry Form

Disclaimers

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Nutrition Disclaimer
  • Photo/ Recipe Policy
  • Comment Policies

Contact

  • Contact
  • Subscribe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Grain Free Table