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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes » English Pea Salad

    Published: Jun 9, 2022 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    English Pea Salad

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    English pea salad in a white bowl on a white countertop
    English pea salad on a white plate on a white countertop
    English pea salad on a white plate on a white countertop
    English pea salad in a white bowl on a white countertop

    English Pea Salad is a delightfully simple side dish with tender sweet peas, ham, cubes of cheese, and red onion in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise and ranch dressing.

    Perfect side dish salad for a baby shower, picnics, potlucks, and last-minute family gatherings. 

    English pea salad on a white plate on a white countertop

    This classic pea salad is one of those old fashioned recipes that stands the test of time — and for good reason. It’s easy, delicious, and you don’t even really need a recipe for it! 

    Just start with peas, cheese, ham, and mayo, then let your imagination take it from there. 

    Plus, it’s an excellent way to use up leftover ham. 

    I kept this classic salad pretty simple -- it's just frozen peas, ham, cheese, and red onion in a tangy dressing of mayo and ranch.

    But feel free to add hard boiled eggs, bacon bits, fresh dill, green onion, sliced radishes, bell pepper … there are a million ways you could take this. 

    It’s a delicious and hearty side dish for a summer barbecue, church picnic, and lazy days when you just want to make something simple and delicious. 

    Check out these easy salad recipes next:

    • Red Skin Potato Salad
    • Mediterranean Orzo Salad
    • Zesty Quinoa Salad
    • Watermelon & Cucumber Salad

    You’re Going to Love This

    Ham, peas, cheese, mayo, and ranch — what’s not to love? 

    Easy cold salad for when you don't feel like cooking during the hot summer months.

    Leftover ham? Sounds like a great reason to make English Pea Salad to me!

    Great make-ahead salad that’s even more delicious the next day.

    Ingredients

    English pea salad ingredients

    Frozen peas. Frozen petite green peas are sweet and tender and perfect for this green pea salad.

    In the grocery store, you may also see them called sweet peas, baby peas, or baby sweet peas. Because they’re so tiny, they just need a minute under cold water to defrost them — there’s no need to cook them. 

    Ham. Great way to use leftover ham. You can also use bacon. Or ham AND bacon!

    Cheese. Any type of cheddar cheese will work really well in this English pea salad recipe. I used cheddar-jack, but sharp cheddar cheese is also delicious. Use any of your favorite cheeses!

    Mayonnaise. Mayo, Miracle Whip, either is fine here. 

    Ranch dressing. I made this creamy English pea salad with ranch dressing for a little buttermilk-herb flavor, but blue cheese dressing would also be awesome! 

    Red onion. Red onion has a sweet and mild onion flavor without being too overpowering. 

    Expert Tips

    Frozen petite peas have a bright green color, sweet flavor, and tender skins. Just give them a quick rinse under cold water to defrost. 

    Use whatever cheese you please. I like to use sharp cheddar or cheddar-jack. 

    Add your favorite flavors by tossing in some bacon, hard-boiled eggs, sliced radishes, or blue cheese. 

    Recipe FAQs

    Do frozen peas need to be cooked?

    No. Frozen peas are just fresh peas that have been quickly blanched before frozen, so you can quickly defrost them and toss them into salads just the way they are.

    Can you use canned peas in pea salad?

    Frozen sweet peas are the best option for making this cold pea salad, but you can use canned. I recommend using ones labeled “sweet peas” or “very young small sweet peas.” They’ll be the sweetest and tenderest. Canned peas are softer than frozen peas and may smush a little, so be careful stirring. They’re also not as bright green, so your salad won’t have the same vivid green color.

    How long does pea salad keep?

    Store English Pea Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    What are English peas?

    English peas are really just regular old garden peas, also sometimes called sweet peas. They're the ones that come in a pod that is inedible, so they need to be shelled before eating.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Step 1

    Defrost the frozen peas. Place them in a colander and run cold water over them to defrost. 

    Step 2

    Cut the ham and cheese into ¼” to ½” cubes. Dice the red onion. 

    Step 3

    In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and ranch dressing. 

    English pea salad dressing in a white bowl

    Step 4

    Add the peas, ham, cheese, onion and a little salt and black pepper. Gently toss until completely coated. 

    English pea salad recipe ingredients in a white bowl

    Storage

    Store English Pea Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    English pea salad in a white bowl on a white countertop

    Hungry for more great side dish recipes?

    • Apple Kale Slaw (No Mayo)
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Pea and Asparagus Salad
    • Tzatziki Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe
    • Maple Balsamic Glazed Carrots

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    English pea salad in a white bowl on a white countertop

    English Pea Salad Recipe

    Cara Lanz
    English Pea Salad is a delightfully simple side dish with tender sweet peas, ham, cubes of cheese, and red onion in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise and ranch dressing. Perfect side dish salad for a baby shower, picnics, potlucks, and last-minute family gatherings.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 339 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 oz. frozen petite peas
    • 8 oz. cheddar cheese, cubed colby-cheddar and sharp cheddar are both excellent!
    • 1 cup ham, cubed
    • ¼ cup red onion, diced
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup ranch dressing
    • salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Defrost the frozen peas. Place the frozen peas in a colander and run them under cold water to defrost them.
    • Cut the ham and cheese into ¼” to ½” cubes. Dice the red onion.
    • In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and ranch dressing.
    • Add the peas, ham, cheese, and onion and gently toss until completely coated.
    • Store English Pea Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Notes

    Frozen petite peas have a bright green color, sweet flavor, and tender skins. Just give them a quick rinse under cold water to defrost. 
    Use whatever cheese you please. I like to use sharp cheddar or cheddar-jack. 
    Add your favorite flavors by tossing in some bacon, hard-boiled eggs, sliced radishes, or blue cheese.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 13gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 598mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 733IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 221mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love dreaming up easier, and sometimes healthier twists on dishes from the heartland.

    This is where I share my recipes, tips, and inspiration for a happy home.

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