Description
This refreshing Pea Salad combines tender petite peas with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, toasted almonds, and a creamy herbed dressing for a perfect side dish or light lunch option. Quick to prepare and full of fresh flavors, this salad is great for potlucks, picnics, or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh chives
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Salad
- 4 cups frozen petite peas, thawed
- 8 oz. bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- 4 oz. medium cheddar cheese, cut into tiny cubes or shredded
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, chives, dill, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing well to combine all the flavors.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the thawed peas, crispy chopped bacon, cubed or shredded cheddar cheese, and toasted slivered almonds. Pour the prepared dressing over everything and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for up to 1 day before serving for best flavor integration. Serve chilled as a side dish or a light main course.
Notes
- To toast almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Use low-fat or light sour cream and mayonnaise for a lighter version of this salad.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried herbs if necessary, but reduce quantity to one-third for stronger flavor.
- This salad is best consumed within 24 hours to maintain crisp texture of peas and nuts.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add roasted chickpeas or smoked tofu for protein.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
