Description
This Southern Pea Salad is a creamy and flavorful side dish featuring sweet peas, ham, bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese, all mixed with a tangy mayo and sour cream dressing. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family gatherings, this chilled salad is both easy to make and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 (16 oz) packages frozen sweet peas, thawed
- 3/4 cup cubed ham
- 1/2 cup bacon crumbles
- 4-5 green onions, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Dash cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the thawed sweet peas, cubed ham, bacon crumbles, chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Coat Salad: Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and stir carefully until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and for the salad to chill thoroughly.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh green onions and thaw the peas completely before assembling.
- You can substitute Dijon mustard in the dressing for an extra tangy flavor.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste for desired spiciness.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, which enhances the flavors.
- Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for an additional protein boost if desired.
