As nice as potato salads and pasta salads are one of my favourite summer salads has to be the fresh pea salad, sometimes called an English pea salad. A pea salad typically consists of peas, in a mayo based ‘dressing’ along with bacon and cheese and it’s super easy to make! Although frozen peas will work year round I particularly enjoy the fresh summer peas where you can usually find them in bags in the fresh produce section of your grocery store or even still in their pods at the farmers market. The sweet peas go so well in the creamy dressing with the salty bacon and cheese and contrastingly tangy onions and I like to add a touch of mint for even more freshness. This is one of those salads where it is even better to make it a day ahead of time as the flavours have a chance to come out and mingle while sitting in the fridge overnight and serving it chilled, straight from the fridge is perfect on hot summer days!
Update 2015/07/02: Since I was making this salad again this summer I took the opportunity to update the photos!
Feel free to add some diced hard boiled eggs!
The original photo:
Fresh Pea Salad
A fresh summery pea salad with bacon and cheddar cheese!
ingredients
- 4 strips bacon
- 2 cups peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon mint, chopped (optional)
- salt, pepper and cayenne to taste
directions
- Cook the bacon, drain it and crumble it.
- Mix everything and optionally let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Option: Add diced hard boiled eggs.
Tip: Make a day ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
AzLinda says
August 1, 2009 at 12:23 amOh wow, that looks like a "killer" pea salad! I love Peas! This is going on my favorites list 😀
Lisa says
August 1, 2009 at 1:05 amThis looks awesome especially with fresh peas.
♥Deeba @Passionate About Baking♥ says
August 1, 2009 at 1:06 amThat looks summery & fresh Kevin!Delish!!
The Italian Dish says
August 1, 2009 at 3:16 amThis is such a classic – I love it when I can find fresh peas at the market. I like your version.
teresa says
August 1, 2009 at 4:19 amI love this! So bright and springy!
Linda says
August 1, 2009 at 4:47 amLOVE pea salad!
I also wanted to say – thanks for commenting on my recipes – I've always admired your photos and dishes. Your blueberry no-bake cheesecake was the inspiration for my fresh strawberry one.
And your Feta Salsa is sooo good!
Rabbittrick says
August 1, 2009 at 6:10 amYum! Great for chowing down in the tropical heat. It looks like it'd put a spring in my step =)
Cucinista says
August 1, 2009 at 8:59 amFresh summer peas are unbeatable. Great recipe.
Jennifer says
August 1, 2009 at 11:16 amFresh peas are the best!! We used to grow many many acres of peas on our farm that were harvested and sold to McCain Foods in Canada.
This salad is so great, I especially love the cubed cheese in there and the mix of spices!
Foodie with Little Thyme! says
August 1, 2009 at 11:50 amI love fresh peas and mint. Nice work.
Talita says
August 1, 2009 at 12:06 pmI'm not the number one fan of pea, but your salad looks so colorful… I'd love to try it!
mikky says
August 1, 2009 at 1:03 pmi really miss reading your posts!!! lots of catching-up to do after more than a month of absence… can't wait to start… 😀
Lynda says
August 1, 2009 at 2:12 pmThis is similar to a salad my grandmother used to make and it was delicious! I love your twist to it!
Justine says
August 1, 2009 at 3:19 pmI love peas! Looks great!
Chris says
August 1, 2009 at 4:17 pmAs a kid, the mere mention of this dish would have sent me running because my only experience with peas were the wrinkly, dark green canned versions.
As I got older, I was moved by John Lennon when he sang, "All I am saying is give peas a chance."
I did and now I love them! They are great in stir fries and my wife's creamed peas are almost a dessert for me. I've had this salad before and when done with crisp fresh peas like this, it is the ultimate celebration of peas.
Nicely done!
Liz says
August 1, 2009 at 6:45 pmWow! I love fresh peas but I never eat them… This salad sounds so delicious that is a perfect excuse to make them!
Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend says
August 2, 2009 at 12:19 amThat looks so good….It is a rainy day here in La and I have enjoyed some blog reading….So glad I stopped by yours. I enjoyed my visit.
Weight Control Help & Strategies says
August 2, 2009 at 12:21 amLooks very good! Good idea!
Emmett says
August 2, 2009 at 12:21 amLove peas!
Pam says
August 2, 2009 at 1:45 amI've never had a fresh pea salad. I'm going to have to do something about that!
Susan @ SGCC says
August 2, 2009 at 3:45 amMy girlfriend used to make a salad like this one, but she always used frozen peas. I'll bet the fresh ones put this over the top! It looks lovely!
Lo says
August 2, 2009 at 4:05 amI am OFFICIALLY kicking myself for not going to the farmer's market this weekend. I had a good excuse… but still. Fresh peas ROCK.
tara says
August 2, 2009 at 1:59 pmThe fresh mint sounds like a wonderful addition to the dressing – must try that sometime!
Saee Koranne-Khandekar says
August 2, 2009 at 4:02 pmThat looks really fresh and summery! And creamy. And good.
Natashya says
August 2, 2009 at 6:21 pmI love fresh peas! I rarely see them here but they are soo good.
Great salad!
The Duo Dishes says
August 4, 2009 at 12:46 amNice! The mint's a nice touch. Really love that.
Dawn says
August 5, 2009 at 10:55 pmI have never made a pea salad as I've always seen such horrible ones, but now this one looks REALLY good. Really good.
eatme_delicious says
August 7, 2009 at 4:54 amI love the sound and look of this dish!! Yum. I love peas. Will definitely be trying this. Though I don't think I'll be shucking my own peas!
Dina says
August 29, 2009 at 6:30 amlooks like a refreshing yummy salad!
Joycee says
December 18, 2011 at 11:01 pmSimple and perfect with bbq chicken!
Bo says
July 15, 2012 at 7:20 pmmade this yesterday doubled the recipe for a crodwd the only thing I changed was I blanched the peas in boiling water for 45 to 60 seconds then plunged them into an ice bath. I used a good sharp cheddar, and added two stalked chopped celery to get back some crunch i may have lost in blanching process. Basil instead of mint. it was a big hit at the party will make again. frozen peas never!!!
Dina says
April 9, 2013 at 1:36 amthis looks like a great summer salad!
Anonymous says
April 22, 2013 at 11:52 amsimilar to a salad given to me by a Russian co-worker. Hers also had beets and potatoes, cubed small and it was to-die-for!
Anonymous says
May 20, 2013 at 9:08 pmMy mom used to make this and we loved it! The only difference, she mixed the juice of 1/2 a lemon in with the mayo, and before serving, chopped up some iceberg lettuce and mixed it all together. So incredibly good. I think I'll have to make it in memory of my mom. Thanks for posting!!
Diane Balch says
March 31, 2014 at 11:44 amJust wanted you to know that recipe is included in a pea recipe collection today on Simple Living and Eating. I will be pinning and tweeting it this week too.
Diana Cox says
April 20, 2014 at 1:03 amAhhhh,,,, I am so looking forward to making this. My mom used to make it when I was a kid. My brother said he 'couldn't' eat peas, and mom said it was their texture. Whatever, it left more for me. I have bought it at Winco's deli and never even thought to try to make my own. Mom didn't leave her recipe written down. So this is great. Thank you.
Anonymous says
May 11, 2015 at 6:44 amI sooo agree with you! FRESH peas only…..
We Are Not Martha says
July 2, 2015 at 12:10 pmI love peas and don't eat them fresh enough!
Sues
Savita @ Chefdehome says
July 2, 2015 at 11:10 pmKevin, this salad looks very delicious! Love that you used fresh peas!
La Cuisine d'Helene says
July 3, 2015 at 2:29 pmI have never made pea salad but like to add peas to my salads. Peas are always better when you can find them fresh.