Southern pea salad is a refreshing and creamy side dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or alongside grilled meats. It typically features peas, bacon, cheese, and a creamy dressing. Here’s a classic recipe to make Southern pea salad:
6. **Enjoy:**
– Serve chilled as a side dish or as part of a larger spread. It pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a refreshing addition to any meal.
### Tips:
– **Variations:** Feel free to customize your Southern pea salad by adding extras like diced bell peppers, celery, or hard-boiled eggs.
– **Make-Ahead:** You can make this salad a few hours ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
– **Storage:** Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors may intensify as it sits, making it even more delicious the next day.
This classic Southern pea salad is creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor—a perfect addition to any Southern-inspired meal or gathering.
Ingredients:
1 (16-ounce) package of frozen sweet peas, thawed (canned peas work too)
2 eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (or 1 cup of cooked and chopped ham, optional)
1/2 cup of chopped green onions (substitute with regular onions if preferred)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (feel free to use your favorite cheese)
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds (or 1/2 cup of chopped celery)
A sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of sour cream
Instructions:
Combine the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed sweet peas, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon or chopped ham (if using), chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Season:
Sprinkle in the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, celery seeds (or chopped celery), and a dash of cayenne. Stir thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Dress It Up:
In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until they form a smooth mixture. Pour this dressing over the pea mixture and gently stir to coat all the ingredients.
Chill and Serve:
Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. This time allows the flavors to blend together wonderfully.
Enjoy:
Serve this Classic Southern Pea Salad as a refreshing side dish at your next barbecue or family gathering. It’s a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s bound to become a new favorite!”