Bright & Zesty Irish Pea Salad Recipe for Refreshing Meals

Childhood memories of my grandmother’s hearty Irish pea salad always bring a smile to my face.

Crisp green peas dance with creamy textures in this classic dish.

Memories flood back from summer picnics where this salad took center stage.

Unexpected ingredients create a delightful harmony of flavors that surprise and delight.

Crunchy bacon bits add a smoky twist to the cool, refreshing mix.

Simplicity meets culinary magic in this recipe that feels like a warm embrace.

Dive into a bowl of comfort that connects generations through one delectable bite.

What Makes Irish Pea Salad a Fresh Classic

• Quick Prep Magic: Toss together this Irish pea salad in mere minutes, making it perfect for busy cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Bomb: Combine creamy mayo, tangy cheese, crispy bacon, and sweet peas for a mouthwatering mix that will have everyone asking for seconds at potlucks and family gatherings.
• Versatile Side Dish Champion: Pair this vibrant salad with grilled meats, sandwiches, or enjoy it as a standalone lunch option that brings excitement to any meal.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep Star: Prepare this dish in advance and let it chill in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making mealtime stress-free and delightful.

Ingredients for Irish Pea Salad Dishes

• Peas: Sweet and tender green peas that form the core of this refreshing salad.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and tangy cheese that adds rich flavor and creamy texture.
• Bacon: Crispy and smoky meat that provides a savory crunch to the salad.
• Red Onion: Zesty and sharp onion that brings a bright, pungent flavor.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base that creates a smooth and rich dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar, Dijon Mustard: Tangy ingredients that balance and enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that boost the natural taste of the ingredients.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb that adds a fresh and aromatic finishing touch to the salad.

How to Toss a Classic Irish Pea Salad

Step 1: Whisk Creamy Dressing

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Blend these ingredients thoroughly until smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 2: Mix Salad Components

• Thawed peas
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbled bacon
• Diced red onion

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring every morsel gets evenly coated with the tangy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Marinate

Transfer the salad to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.

This resting period allows the flavors to dance and mingle, creating a more delicious taste experience.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and added herbaceous flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Present the Irish Pea Salad chilled, ready to delight taste buds with its creamy, savory, and refreshing profile.

Tips for Crisp and Creamy Irish Pea Salad

• Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the ingredients blend and enhance taste.
• Replace bacon with crispy roasted sunflower seeds or smoked almonds for a plant-based protein crunch.
• Substitute cheddar with feta, goat cheese, or a dairy-free alternative for different flavor profiles.
• Make this salad a day in advance to intensify the dressing's tangy and creamy qualities.
• Soak diced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharp bite and mellows the flavor.

Variations for Irish Pea Salad Fans

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace bacon with roasted sunflower seeds or crispy chickpeas for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap peas with diced cucumber or cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a fresh crunch.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use vegan mayonnaise, dairy-free cheese alternative, and omit sour cream for a lactose-free recipe that keeps the original flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Spin: Add diced kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh mint instead of parsley to give the salad a Greek-inspired transformation.

Pairings for Irish Pea Salad Sides

Select a light, zesty Sauvignon Blanc that complements the creamy texture and cuts through the richness of bacon and cheese.

Choose a crisp, hoppy American pale ale that balances the salad’s tangy dressing and provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy elements.

Grill tender grilled chicken breasts seasoned with herbs, which harmonize with the salad’s creamy dressing and add protein-rich depth to the meal.

Serve warm, crusty sourdough bread to soak up the delicious dressing and provide a satisfying textural counterpoint to the cool, creamy pea salad.

Storing Irish Pea Salad for Later Meals

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the salad fresh and crisp.
• Avoid freezing this salad as mayonnaise and sour cream separate and become watery, compromising texture and taste when thawed.
• Best served cold directly from the refrigerator; do not microwave or heat to maintain the salad's original creamy consistency and crunch.
• Before serving stored salad, give it a quick stir and add a small splash of apple cider vinegar to revive the flavors and restore moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen peas directly from the freezer?

Yes, simply thaw the peas at room temperature or run them under cold water before adding to the salad to remove any ice crystals.

• Is there a substitute for sour cream if I don't have it?

Greek yogurt works perfectly as a replacement and provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture.

• How long can I keep this Irish Pea Salad in the refrigerator?

The salad stays fresh for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

• Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Skip the bacon or replace it with vegetarian bacon bits or chopped nuts for added crunch and protein.

Irish Pea Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 17 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Fresh garden peas dance with crispy bacon in this traditional Irish pea salad, bringing creamy textures and zesty flavors to your table. Cool and refreshing, it offers a delightful side dish you can enjoy alongside hearty meals or as a light lunch.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (710 milliliters) frozen peas, thawed
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cooked bacon, crumbled

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard

Seasoning and Garnish:

• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) finely diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chopped fresh parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a zesty dressing by vigorously blending mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Introduce thawed green peas, sharp cheddar cheese shreds, crispy bacon crumbles, and finely diced red onion into the creamy mixture.
3. Delicately fold the ingredients, ensuring each component is luxuriously enrobed in the tangy dressing.
4. Seal the bowl and nestle in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
5. Just before presenting, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the surface for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
6. Serve the salad thoroughly chilled, offering a cool, creamy, and textural culinary experience.

Notes

• Chill ingredients beforehand to ensure a crisp, refreshing salad texture that prevents wilting and maintains vibrant flavors.
• Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon or coconut bacon to create vegetarian and lighter dietary options without compromising taste.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calories and increase protein content while maintaining a creamy dressing consistency.
• Allow salad to marinate longer than 30 minutes for deeper flavor infusion, with maximum recommended time being 8 hours to prevent soggy peas.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: No cooking method
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 233 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 395 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg