Description
Southern pea salad delights with its creamy blend of tender legumes and crisp vegetables. Midwestern comfort meets fresh flavors in this quick, easy side dish perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounces/453 grams) package of frozen sweet peas, thawed
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (or 1 cup of cooked and chopped ham)
- 2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
- 1/2 cup of chopped green onions
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds
- A sprinkle of cayenne pepper
Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and combine thawed green peas with finely chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled protein (bacon or ham), sliced green onions, and grated cheddar cheese.
- Enhance the mixture with black pepper, salt, garlic powder, celery seeds, and a hint of cayenne, ensuring thorough and even distribution of seasonings.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Gently fold the dressing into the pea mixture, coating each ingredient with the rich, tangy sauce.
- Seal the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
- Present this vibrant, chilled Southern-style side dish at outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or family meals, offering a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
Notes
- Keep peas slightly firm by avoiding overcooking, ensuring they maintain a fresh, crisp texture that adds delightful bite to the salad.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that reduces calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Enhance vegetarian options by replacing bacon with smoked almonds or roasted sunflower seeds, which provide similar crunchy texture and smoky flavor.
- Boost nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or cucumber for extra crunch and vibrant color, making the salad more visually appealing and nutritionally diverse.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg