Classic Southern Pea Salad is a delightful dish that takes you straight to the heart of Southern cooking. It’s a vibrant, colorful salad that brings together the earthy sweetness of peas, the richness of hard-boiled eggs, and the crispy goodness of bacon. This dish is not only a great side for barbecues and picnics, but it also shines at family gatherings or potlucks. What makes it truly special is its versatility — you can enjoy it as a light lunch or augment it with ham for a more filling meal.
Why you’ll love this dish
There are plenty of reasons to add Classic Southern Pea Salad to your recipe repertoire. For starters, it’s a quick and easy dish to whip up, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal prep time and using frozen peas, it’s also incredibly budget-friendly. Plus, the combination of flavors has universal appeal; kids and adults alike will enjoy every bite! Whether you’re serving it at a summer picnic or as a refreshing side at a holiday meal, this salad delivers comfort and satisfaction.
"This salad was the hit of our barbecue! Fresh, tasty, and a breeze to make. I can’t wait to make it again!" – A satisfied home cook.
The cooking process explained
Preparing Classic Southern Pea Salad is as easy as 1-2-3! You’ll start by combining your ingredients in a large bowl. From there, it’s simply a matter of mixing everything together until you have a cohesive, flavorful salad. The beauty of this recipe is that you can customize it to your liking with optional ingredients or swaps, making it as unique as your own cooking style!
What you’ll need
To make this refreshing salad, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 (16-ounce) package of frozen sweet peas, thawed
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (or you may use 1 cup of cooked and chopped ham as an optional substitute)
- 1/2 cup of chopped green onions
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Feel free to get creative with the ingredients; for instance, if you are avoiding bacon, you can easily skip it altogether or substitute it with a vegetarian alternative.
