Easy Old Fashioned English Pea Salad

When you need a simple side dish that refreshes in summer months or brings elegant flavors for any occasion, makes this easy old-fashioned English pea salad.

Honestly, this classic pea salad is one that everyone loves for a summer barbecue, church picnic, or baby shower.

A Classic Salad For Any Occasion

The classic salad can easily be added to your Easter menu, too.

Bursting with color and fresh flavors in a creamy sauce along with bacon and cheese for good measure, there’s a good reason this simple side dish is always gone faster than I can make it!

Southern English pea salad is a class act all the way. On the one hand, it’s incredibly easy. On the other, it has a distinguished look to it that makes it good for both casual and formal gatherings.

This old-fashioned recipe melds tender sweet peas with a few other ingredients coated with a creamy dressing. I always remember it being a part of the side dish options for gatherings at my family’s house. My mom made it all the time.

In fact, I absolutely loved helping her make this cold pea salad as a child. Now my kids love to help me make it. 

Ingredients For Old Fashioned English Pea Salad

This is such an easy recipe and a classic side dish. You most likely have the majority of ingredients the recipe requires, so it should be budget-friendly, as well.

• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Ranch dressing
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Frozen sweet peas
• Cooked and crumbled bacon
• Red onion, diced
• Hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How To Make Old Fashioned English Pea Salad

1. Add the sour cream, mayo, ranch dressing, sugar, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Next, add the bacon, red onion, eggs, and cheese and mix.
3. Finally, add the English peas and mix well. Serve.

The dressing is super simple. A creamy delight made only from sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, and a little sugar, salt, and pepper to balance it out.

Mixed all together, it is the kind of salad that everyone piles onto their plates, even for second and third helpings. 

One of the best things about this English pea salad recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. So no matter the reason you’re making it, you can throw it together and have time to relax and enjoy your guests. 

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by adding the sour cream and mayonnaise to a large bowl.

If you don’t like sour cream, you can add some Greek yogurt instead.

Next, add the ranch dressing to the bowl.

Now, add the sugar, salt, and black pepper to the bowl and mix well.

Add the bacon bits and diced red onions.

For this recipe, I used precooked and crumbled back and pre-diced onions. It helps makes things go faster if you want to get the recipe ready in a hurry.

Add the eggs to the bowl.

The eggs are optional in this recipe.

Next, add the shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl and mix.

Finally, add the peas to the bowl and mix well to combine the ingredients.

I used frozen peas for this recipe, but you can also use fresh peas.

I took the peas out of the freezer when I got this recipe started, so they would be easier to mix and not get mushed. It’s not necessary, but I think it helps.

You will need to give the salad some time to thaw before serving. If you don’t have time to wait, you can use thawed peas.

How To Store The Green Pea Salad

Store the green pea salad in an airtight container or cover with some plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will still taste great the next day if you have any leftovers.

Optional Ingredients

• Fresh dill to sprinkle on top.
• Cubes of cheese instead of shredded.
• A little bit of pickle relish to add some different flavors.
• Diced bell pepper
• Green onion

More Delicious Sides

• Crock Pot Jiffy corn pudding
• Pineapple casserole
• Jiffy cornbread dressing
• Cold veggie pizza from Mom Loves Baking

Easy Old Fashioned English Pea Salad

This English pea salad recipe will be a perfect match for your next potluck. It stores and transports easily in an airtight container, too.

If you want to go the extra mile for presentation, bring along a fancy glass bowl to serve it in when it’s time to set out food.

With classic creamy pea salad on the menu, it’s easy to make a great impression without a fuss. And as any southern girl will tell you, nice girls don’t make a fuss. We make delicious pea salad instead!