Description
A beloved dish in Southern cuisine, Classic Southern Pea Salad combines sweet peas with a rich mix of ingredients like mayonnaise, cheese, onions, and bacon or nuts, creating a delightful balance of creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors. Perfect for any occasion, this versatile salad can be customized to suit various dietary preferences and is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package of frozen sweet peas, thawed (canned peas work too)
2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (or 1 cup of cooked and chopped ham, optional)
1/2 cup of chopped green onions (substitute with regular onions if preferred)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (feel free to use your favorite cheese)
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds (or 1/2 cup of chopped celery)
A sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of sour cream
Instructions
Combine the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed sweet peas, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon or chopped ham (if using), chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Season:
Sprinkle in the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, celery seeds (or chopped celery), and a dash of cayenne. Stir thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Dress It Up:
In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until they form a smooth mixture. Pour this dressing over the pea mixture and gently stir to coat all the ingredients.
Chill and Serve:
Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. This time allows the flavors to blend together wonderfully.
Enjoy:
Serve this Classic Southern Pea Salad as a refreshing side dish at your next barbecue or family gathering. It’s a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s bound to become a new favorite!
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Vegan or vegetarian alternatives can be used for bacon and cheese.
- Can be adapted for Vegetarian, Low-fat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (if blanching peas)
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg