Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Pea Salad brings classic Southern comfort to your table with crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, and sweet green peas. Creamy dressing and crunchy textures create an irresistible side dish you’ll want to share at summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 ml) frozen green peas, almost totally thawed
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cheddar or American cheese, cut into small cubes
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- ½ small red onion, halved and sliced very thin
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Binding Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Instructions
- Whisk together the tangy sour cream, creamy mayonnaise, zesty white vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a compact mixing vessel until the dressing achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Pour approximately two-thirds of the prepared dressing over the fresh green peas in a spacious mixing bowl, gently folding to ensure each pea is elegantly coated without bruising the delicate legumes.
- Incorporate the crisp, crumbled bacon pieces, thinly sliced crimson onion, cubed cheese, and roughly 80% of the chopped parsley into the dressed peas, using a delicate folding technique to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Carefully transfer the dressed salad into a serving container, sealing with plastic wrap and nestling it in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Just before presentation, assess the salad’s moisture level and blend in the remaining dressing if needed, then garnish with the reserved parsley to add a vibrant, fresh flourish to the dish.
Notes
- Maximize flavor development by preparing this salad a few hours before serving, allowing ingredients to blend seamlessly.
- Customize the dish with your favorite cheese varieties, experimenting with sharp cheddar or creamy monterey jack.
- Leftovers stay fresh and delicious when stored in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
- Summer gatherings become memorable with this crowd-pleasing side dish that requires minimal preparation time.
- Elevate the salad’s texture by ensuring bacon remains crispy and peas are tender but not mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 214 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 487 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg