10+ Pea Salad Recipes to Brighten Your Table

Pea salad recipes are a fun way to bring something fresh and easy to your table. They use simple ingredients you probably already have, and turn them into a colorful, tasty side dish.

Pea salads come together quickly and are perfect for everyday meals or gatherings. The mix of flavors and textures is honestly pretty hard to resist. If you like creamy dressings or crave something with a little tang, you’ll probably find a pea salad here that hits the spot.

1) Classic Pea Salad with bacon, cheddar, and red onion

This classic pea salad is as easy as it gets, but the flavors are anything but boring. Sweet peas, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and red onion come together for a cool, crunchy dish.

The creamy dressing has a little sweetness and tang. You can prep it in about 15 minutes and let it chill until you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients

• 4 cups frozen peas, thawed
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble it.
2. Combine peas, bacon, red onion, and cheddar in a big bowl.
3. Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar in a small bowl.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir gently.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

2) Ree Drummond’s Spring Pea Salad with green peas and light dressing

Ree Drummond’s spring pea salad is all about fresh flavors and easy prep. It’s got green peas, crispy bacon, sharp cheese, and thin red onion slices.

The light, creamy dressing ties everything together without feeling heavy. This is a colorful side for spring or Easter, and honestly, it just looks happy.

Bacon gives it a smoky crunch. Serve it chilled or at room temp—either works.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh or thawed green peas
• 8 slices cooked, crisp bacon, chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 tbsp minced fresh parsley

For the dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix peas, bacon, onion, cheese, and parsley in a big bowl.
2. Whisk mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and toss gently.
4. Chill for at least an hour.
5. Serve cold or at room temp.

Find the full scoop at The Pioneer Woman’s pea salad page.

3) Easy Pea Salad with frozen peas, mayo, ranch, ham, and red onion

This pea salad is as easy as it gets. Start with frozen peas (thaw them first), then mix in a creamy combo of mayo and ranch.

Diced ham brings in some extra flavor and protein. Red onion adds a mild crunch and a little bite.

You don’t need to cook anything—just mix, chill, and serve.

Ingredients

• 4 cups frozen peas (thawed)
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw peas and drain off any water.
2. Combine peas, mayo, and ranch in a bowl.
3. Add ham and red onion.
4. Mix until everything’s coated.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

4) Creamy Pea Salad with sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and cheddar

This creamy pea salad comes together fast. Sour cream gives it richness, and apple cider vinegar adds a tangy twist.

Cheddar cheese and a bit of red onion round things out. It’s a solid side for any meal, or even a quick snack.

The dressing is simple. Whisk sour cream, mayo, sugar, and vinegar, then toss with peas, cheddar, and onion.

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen peas, thawed
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk sour cream, mayo, sugar, and vinegar until smooth.
2. Add peas, cheddar, and onion.
3. Mix gently.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Chill for 30 minutes.

More details here: creamy pea salad recipe.

5) Balsamic Pea Salad with toasted almonds, green onions, and feta

This pea salad gets a tangy kick from balsamic vinegar. Toasted almonds add crunch, and green onions bring a mild sharpness.

Feta cheese gives it a salty, creamy finish. The dressing mixes mayo or Greek yogurt with balsamic for a smooth, slightly sweet vibe.

Use fresh or frozen peas, whatever’s handy. Toast the almonds in a skillet to really bring out their flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups peas (fresh or frozen)
• ½ cup chopped toasted almonds
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¾ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast almonds in a dry skillet until golden, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Thaw peas if needed and drain them.
3. Combine peas, almonds, onions, and feta in a bowl.
4. Mix mayo or yogurt with balsamic in another bowl.
5. Pour dressing over salad and stir gently.
6. Season and chill if you want.

More about this balsamic pea salad

6) 50s Vintage Pea Salad with Velveeta cubes, ham, and grated carrots

This retro pea salad is a throwback in the best way. Frozen peas, Velveeta cubes, ham, and grated carrots all come together in a creamy, slightly sweet mayo dressing.

Chopped onion adds a mild bite. Letting it chill for a couple hours really helps the flavors meld.

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 cup cooked ham, diced
• 1/2 cup grated carrots
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine peas, Velveeta, ham, carrots, and onion in a bowl.
2. Mix mayo, sugar, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
3. Pour dressing over the pea mix and stir gently.
4. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Check out pea salad from the 50s on Reddit.

7) Pea Salad with yogurt, mint, dill, shallots, and feta

This pea salad is super fresh and creamy. Yogurt gives it a light texture, while mint and dill add bright, herby notes.

Shallots bring a little sharpness, and feta adds a salty kick. You just mix thawed peas, chopped shallots, feta, and a yogurt-mint-dill dressing.

Serve it chilled—it’s perfect for warm days. A squeeze of lemon juice wouldn’t hurt if you’re into that.

Ingredients

• 2 cups peas (fresh or thawed frozen peas)
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine peas, shallots, and feta in a bowl.
2. Mix yogurt, mint, dill, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the peas and stir gently.
4. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

8) Creamy Pea Salad with bacon and sharp cheddar cheese

This creamy pea salad is loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar. Sweet peas, crunchy bacon, and tangy cheese all get tossed in a smooth, simple dressing.

Red onion gives it a little bite. It’s easy to make ahead, so you can relax before your party or picnic.

The textures and flavors just work—this one’s a summer favorite for a reason. Find a similar recipe and tips for making it at Spend With Pennies.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh or frozen peas, thawed
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
• ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the bacon until it’s crispy. Drain it, then chop it up.

2. Grab a big bowl and toss in the peas, bacon, cheese, and onion.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.

4. Pour the dressing over your pea mixture and give it a gentle toss.

5. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

9) Southern Style Pea Salad with ranch dressing and diced ham

Here’s a Southern-style pea salad that’s creamy, flavorful, and honestly just a little bit addictive. Start with thawed frozen peas—super easy.

Toss in some diced ham for a hearty bite. If you want extra oomph, bacon or a handful of cheddar cheese works well too.

Ranch dressing pulls everything together. It’s creamy and tangy, and somehow just makes peas and ham work.

Serve it cold. It’s one of those salads that really shines on a sunny day.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces frozen peas, thawed
• ½ pound cooked ham, diced
• 8 slices cooked bacon, chopped (optional)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup ranch dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw the peas, then drain off any extra water.

2. In a big bowl, mix together the peas, ham, bacon, and cheese.

3. Pour the ranch dressing over everything and stir gently.

4. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before digging in.

10) Sweet Pea Salad with sugar, mayo, and crisp onions

This sweet pea salad keeps things simple and honestly, that’s what makes it so good. Sugar gives it a gentle sweetness that plays off the creamy mayo.

Crisp onions add a sharp crunch that wakes up the whole dish. If you’re looking for something refreshing for a summer meal or potluck, this one’s a winner.

You probably have everything you need already. It’s quick—just toss, chill, and serve.

Mix thawed frozen peas with mayo, sugar, and diced onions for a creamy, crisp side. Adjust the sweetness or onion level if you’re feeling picky.

Ingredients

• 4 cups frozen green peas (thawed)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup crisp white or red onion (diced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw the peas all the way, then drain off any extra water.

2. Grab a large bowl and toss in the peas, mayonnaise, and sugar.

3. Dice up some onions and add them to the bowl. Mix everything together.

4. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.

5. Pop the bowl in the fridge and let it chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.