Simple Garden Pea Salad Recipe With Red Onions And Cheese

Summer picnics call for a refreshing pea salad with red onions and cheese that brings instant smiles to every gathering.

Crisp green peas mingle beautifully with sharp cheese crumbles and thinly sliced red onions.

The cool, creamy texture creates a delightful contrast of flavors and colors.

Each bite promises a burst of freshness and crunch that makes this side dish irresistible.

Sweet peas blend perfectly with tangy cheese, creating a balanced and light accompaniment.

Creamy dressing coats every ingredient, ensuring maximum flavor in every forkful.

You’ll want to make this simple yet stunning salad for every outdoor meal and potluck.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen peas directly from the freezer?

No, always thaw the peas first and drain excess water. This prevents watery texture and ensures the salad’s consistency remains creamy and well-mixed.

• Is it possible to make this salad vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon and add extra cheese or consider using vegetarian bacon alternatives like tempeh or coconut bacon bits for similar smoky flavor.

• How long can this pea salad stay fresh in the refrigerator?

The salad stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Just give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.

• Can I substitute the mayonnaise with another dressing?

Greek yogurt or sour cream work great as mayo substitutes. They provide similar creaminess while slightly reducing the calorie content of the salad.

Why Pea Salad with Cheese Just Works

• Enjoy the perfect balance of creamy cheese, crispy bacon, sweet peas, and zesty red onions that create an irresistible taste explosion in every bite.
• Prepare this dish in advance and let it chill, allowing flavors to develop and intensify, making it ideal for potlucks, picnics, and busy weeknight dinners.
• Serve as a delightful side dish that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for summer gatherings, barbecues, and family meals.

Everything in This Cheesy Pea Salad

• Peas: Frozen green vegetables that serve as the base of the salad.
• Bacon: Crispy meat that adds a savory crunch and rich flavor to the dish.
• Red Onion: Sharp and tangy vegetable that provides a zesty bite to the salad.

• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Dairy components that bring creamy texture and rich flavor to the salad.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy condiment that binds the ingredients and adds a smooth, tangy element.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad.

How to Mix Pea Salad with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Gather your ingredients and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Thaw frozen peas by spreading them on a plate, allowing any excess water to drain.

Cook bacon until it reaches a perfect crispy texture, then chop into delectable bits.

Finely dice the red onion and shred the cheeses to create a mouthwatering base for your salad.

• Frozen peas
• Bacon
• Red onion
• Cheddar cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

Step 2: Create The Flavor Fusion

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine all your prepared ingredients.

Pour in creamy mayonnaise and mix thoroughly, ensuring every morsel gets a luxurious coating.

Stir with enthusiasm to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Step 3: Elevate The Taste Profile

Sprinkle salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

Gently mix and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed.

Remember that bacon and cheese already contribute a salty punch, so start with a light hand.

Step 4: Allow Flavors To Mingle

Cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.

This resting period allows the ingredients to develop a more complex and harmonious flavor profile.

Step 5: Serve And Delight

Before serving, give the salad a final stir to redistribute the dressing.

Present the chilled salad and watch as your guests dive in with excitement!

Helpful Tips for Chilling and Flavor

• Drain thawed peas thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to maintain their firm texture and prevent excess moisture.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy, then let it cool completely before chopping to ensure maximum crunch in the salad.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like gouda or pepper jack to add unique flavor profiles and keep the dish interesting.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and meld, resulting in a more delicious and cohesive dish.
• Swap mayo for Greek yogurt and use turkey bacon to create a lighter, healthier version of the classic pea salad.

Storage Advice for Pea Salad

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the salad sealed tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Not recommended due to mayonnaise-based dressing, which separates and becomes watery when thawed. Cheese and peas lose texture and quality during freezing.
• Best enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator. If you prefer a slightly warmed version, let the salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
• Stir the salad before serving to redistribute dressing and revive the ingredients. Add a small splash of fresh mayonnaise if the mixture seems dry after refrigeration.

Tasty Pairings for Cheesy Pea Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy, salty notes of the pea salad.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or baguette to soak up the mayonnaise and add delightful texture contrast.
• Match with Grilled Proteins: Accompany the salad with barbecued chicken, smoky grilled salmon, or juicy pork chops to balance the cool, creamy dish.
• Create a BBQ Sidekick: Position this pea salad as the perfect summer cookout side, enhancing hearty grilled meats with its refreshing, tangy profile.

Swaps and Add-Ins for Pea Salad

• Vegan Pea Delight: Replace bacon with crispy tempeh bits, use vegan mayonnaise, and swap dairy cheese for nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese crumbles. Perfect for plant-based eaters seeking protein-packed alternatives.
• Low-Carb Protein Punch: Substitute peas with cauliflower florets, keep bacon and cheese, and use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Ideal for keto diet followers wanting fewer carbohydrates.
• Herb-Infused Garden Blend: Add fresh chopped dill, chives, or parsley to enhance flavor complexity. Incorporate roasted garlic or green onions for an extra aromatic dimension. Great for herb enthusiasts wanting more depth.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Mix in diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle smoked paprika. Add chopped cilantro for a zesty southwestern-inspired version. Perfect for those craving a spicier profile.

Pea Salad Recipe With Red Onions And Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Zesty Pea Salad brings garden-fresh flavors to your summer table, dancing with crisp red onions and creamy cheese crumbles. Each cool, crunchy bite promises a delightful blend of textures you’ll savor from first to last forkful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) frozen peas, thawed and drained
• 6 strips bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) diced red onion

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) real mayonnaise

Seasoning:

• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the base ingredients by gently thawing frozen peas on a plate, ensuring no excess moisture remains. Crisp bacon in a skillet until golden brown, then finely chop into delicate crumbles.
2. Finely dice red onions to provide sharp, zesty flavor contrast and shred both cheddar and mozzarella cheeses into uniform pieces.
3. Transfer thawed peas into a spacious mixing bowl, incorporating crispy bacon fragments, shredded cheese varieties, and diced red onions.
4. Introduce creamy mayonnaise, thoroughly blending until each ingredient receives an even, luxurious coating, guaranteeing consistent flavor distribution.
5. Delicately season with salt and pepper, tasting to achieve a balanced profile that complements the inherent saltiness from bacon and cheese.
6. Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop a rich, cohesive taste profile.
7. Prior to serving, gently fold the salad to redistribute dressing and ensure optimal texture. Present chilled for a refreshing, tantalizing side dish.

Notes

• Choose fresh or frozen peas for the best texture, ensuring they’re not mushy or overcooked when thawing.
• Crisp bacon adds delightful crunch, but vegetarian options can swap it with toasted sunflower seeds or crispy chickpeas for similar texture.
• Reduce mayonnaise calories by using Greek yogurt or a light mayo blend for a healthier version without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg