The Best Southern Pea Salad Recipe

This creamy Southern pea salad with bacon, cheddar, and a sweet, tangy dressing is the perfect easy side dish for Easter, potlucks, and family dinners.

There are certain dishes that show up at every Southern table, and pea salad is one of them.

I will be honest. Growing up, I did not always reach for the pea salad first. I was heading straight for the deviled eggs or banana pudding. Somewhere along the way, I had a bite of one that was just right: creamy, a little sweet, a little tangy, and filled with crisp bacon. I thought, ‘Now wait a minute. Where has this been all my life?’

That is the thing about Southern cooking. Sometimes it is the simplest dishes that surprise you the most.

This is the kind of salad that disappears fast at Easter lunch, church potlucks, or any spring gathering. It is cool, creamy, and just the right balance of flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• A perfect make-ahead side dish
• Creamy, sweet, and tangy all at once
• Loaded with bacon, cheese, and flavor
• A classic Southern favorite for Easter and potlucks

What You’ll Need to Make the Best Southern Pea Salad

The full printable recipe card below includes the exact measurements.

• Frozen green peas
• Bacon
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise, preferably Duke’s
• Sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Red onion
• Sharp cheddar cheese, cubed and shredded

How to Make Southern Pea Salad

1. Cook the bacon until it is crisp, then crumble it and set it aside.
2. Stir the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Add the thawed peas, diced red onion, and cheddar cheese.
4. Gently fold everything together until it is well coated.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours so the flavors can come together.
6. Stir in the bacon just before serving so it stays crisp.

Tips for the Best Pea Salad

• Make sure the peas are fully thawed and drained so the dressing stays creamy.
• Let the salad chill before serving. This makes all the difference.
• Add the bacon last so it does not become soggy.
• If the onion is strong, soak it in cold water for a few minutes first.

The little touch of garlic powder takes this pea salad from a simple side dish to something people keep going back for. It does not overpower the other ingredients. It simply adds depth and makes you wonder what makes the salad so good.

Perfect for Entertaining

This is one of those dishes that fits right in on nearly any Southern table. Serve it for Easter dinner, Sunday lunch, backyard cookouts, or church potlucks.

It is especially good alongside ham, fried chicken, or barbecue.

Storage Tips

• Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Give it a gentle stir before serving again.
• Enjoy it fresh. Freezing is not recommended.

A Little Final Thought

There is just something about a cold, creamy salad sitting on a Southern table next to a big ham and a glass of sweet tea that feels like home.

This pea salad is one of those quiet little dishes that may not look fancy, but it sure knows how to steal the show.