Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad: Your Ultimate Fresh Summer Side Dish
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, our kitchens naturally crave dishes that are as fresh and vibrant as the season itself. This Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad is precisely that—a celebration of spring and summer flavors, offering a delightful crunch and a creamy richness that will captivate your taste buds. Imagine perfectly crisp sugar snap peas, robust sharp cheddar cheese, and savory bits of crispy bacon, all lovingly tossed in a velvety homemade herb dressing. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes, a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and herbaceous notes, making it an indispensable addition to any seasonal meal. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, preparing for a family potluck, or simply seeking a refreshing side for a weeknight dinner, this salad promises to be a standout for its vibrant flavors and satisfying textures.
This particular recipe holds a special place in my heart, deeply rooted in cherished childhood memories. The inspiration for this incredible snap pea salad comes directly from my wonderful Mom. Every summer, without fail, she would gather fresh-picked sugar snap peas from our flourishing garden and transform them into a version of this salad. It was a staple at our family gatherings, a dish that signaled the true beginning of the warm weather season. I’ve strived to keep this rendition as close to her original as possible, retaining the classic combination of crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese that made her salad so memorable.
My personal touch comes in the form of a vibrant, homemade creamy herb dressing, a step up from the bottled ranch she sometimes used, ensuring every bite bursts with fresh, aromatic flavor. It’s a tribute to her legacy, a recipe passed down that continues to bring joy and freshness to our table. The ease of preparation combined with the irresistible flavor profile makes this a perfect recipe to add to your repertoire, especially when you’re looking for a quick yet impressive side dish.
They say, “Mama knows best,” and in the case of this sugar snap pea salad, that sentiment couldn’t be more accurate. This isn’t just any side dish; it’s the quintessential fresh, seasonal accompaniment designed to effortlessly carry us through all the joyful potlucks, lively backyard barbecues, and sunny outdoor gatherings until the very end of summer. Its light yet satisfying profile, combined with its vibrant flavors and irresistible textures, makes it an instant crowd-pleaser. It’s simple to prepare, yet sophisticated enough to impress, perfectly encapsulating the essence of warm-weather dining. Get ready to add this versatile and utterly delicious creamy sugar snap pea and bacon salad to your regular rotation, because once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a family favorite that stands the test of time and becomes a highly anticipated seasonal treat.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients You’ll Need for this Creamy Pea Salad
- Tips for Making the Best Sugar Snap Pea Salad
- More Fresh Salad Ideas
- Get the Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Creamy Pea Salad
Crafting this delightful Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad requires a few simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Fresh sugar snap peas – The undisputed star of our salad, these vibrant green pods are chosen for their crisp texture and sweet flavor. Unlike shelling peas, sugar snap peas boast edible pods, meaning less prep work for you! Look for firm, bright green pods without any wilting or blemishes. Their natural sweetness is key to the salad’s refreshing profile, offering a delightful snap with every bite.
- Crispy bacon chunks – Ah, bacon! The salty, smoky, and utterly irresistible counterpoint to the sweet peas and sharp cheese. Cooking it to a perfect crisp and then chopping it into bite-sized pieces ensures that delightful crunch and savory depth in every forkful. We recommend a good quality thick-cut bacon for the best flavor and texture that truly stands out.
- Cubed sharp cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar adds a wonderful tang and creamy texture that beautifully complements the other ingredients. Cubing the cheese rather than shredding it allows for distinct pockets of flavor and a more substantial bite, enhancing the overall experience. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like white cheddar or even a mild provolone if you prefer, but sharp cheddar is our top pick for its robust character.
- Shallot – A finely diced shallot provides a subtle oniony bite without overpowering the delicate flavors of the peas and herbs. It adds a crucial layer of aromatic depth to the dressing and salad mix, enhancing its overall complexity and providing a gentle pungency. If you don’t have shallots, a very small amount of finely minced red onion can be a substitute, but be mindful of its stronger flavor.
- Mayonnaise – This creamy staple provides the rich and smooth base for our luscious homemade dressing. It contributes a velvety texture that helps coat all the salad ingredients evenly, ensuring every component is infused with flavor.
- Sour cream – Adding sour cream to the dressing introduces a delightful tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and bacon. It lightens the dressing, giving it a refreshing zest that prevents it from feeling too heavy and adds a lovely depth.
- Fresh dill, parsley, and basil – This trio of fresh herbs is what truly elevates this dressing from good to extraordinary. Fresh dill brings a unique, slightly tangy and grassy note. Parsley adds a clean, verdant freshness. Basil offers a sweet, aromatic warmth. Using fresh herbs is non-negotiable for the best flavor; dried herbs simply won’t achieve the same vibrant, invigorating results. Their combined aroma makes the dressing sing!
- Salt and pepper – The essential seasonings that tie all the flavors together. Seasoning to taste is crucial, allowing you to perfect the balance of flavors according to your preference and ensure the salad is perfectly seasoned.
Tips for Making the Best Sugar Snap Pea Salad
Creating a truly exceptional Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad is all about paying attention to a few key details. Follow these tips to ensure your salad is perfectly crisp, flavorful, and beautifully presented:
- Make the sugar snap peas the star. To truly let the sugar snap peas shine in this salad, it’s paramount to start with the freshest, highest-quality peas you can find. Seek out peas that are firm, plump, and a vibrant green color – signs of optimal ripeness and crispness. Avoid any that appear wilted, shriveled, or yellowing, as these will lack the desired texture and sweet flavor. Before chopping, take a moment to ‘string’ the peas. This simple step involves pinching off the end and peeling away the tough string that runs along the seam of the pod. While some modern varieties are ‘stringless,’ many still benefit from this quick preparation for a smoother eating experience. Here’s a great quick video if you want a visual guide! This ensures every bite is pure, unadulterated enjoyment.
- Use my homemade dressing recipe, or use store-bought ranch dressing. While a good quality store-bought ranch dressing can certainly work in a pinch, I passionately advocate for using our homemade herb dressing recipe. The difference is truly night and day! The fresh dill, parsley, and basil infuse the dressing with an unparalleled brightness and aromatic complexity that simply cannot be replicated by pre-bottled versions. The subtle tang of sour cream combined with the rich creaminess of mayonnaise creates a perfectly balanced base that allows the fresh herbs to sing. Crafting your own dressing not only allows you to control the quality of ingredients but also to customize the flavor profile to your liking. However, if time is short, a high-quality ranch dressing will still yield a delicious salad.
- Mix the salad in a different bowl than you plan to serve it in. This might seem like a minor detail, but it’s my secret weapon for beautifully presented salads, especially when entertaining! When you mix a salad, the dressing often splatters on the sides of the bowl, leaving an unappetizing, sloppy residue. To achieve that pristine, picture-perfect look, simply mix your creamy sugar snap pea salad in a separate, larger mixing bowl. Once all the ingredients are evenly coated and distributed, gently transfer the finished salad into your chosen clean, attractive serving bowl. This quick trick elevates the visual appeal of your dish, making it look professional and inviting without any extra effort, perfect for any potluck or gathering.
- It holds up great. One of the fantastic advantages of this salad is its excellent shelf life, making it an ideal candidate for meal prep or advance preparation. While I personally find it tastes best and offers the freshest crunch when assembled and served on the same day, it undeniably holds up beautifully in the fridge for several days. The flavors meld and deepen over time, making it even more delicious. If you’re planning to prepare it further in advance, consider keeping the components separate. You can cook the bacon, cube the cheddar, trim and chop the sugar snap peas, and whisk together the dressing up to 3 days ahead of time. Store each element in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Then, simply combine everything right before you’re ready to serve for that optimal fresh taste and texture, particularly the satisfying crispness of the peas and bacon.
- Feel free to get creative. Like many great salads, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable, inviting you to unleash your culinary creativity! The core components – peas, bacon, cheddar, and a creamy dressing – create a versatile canvas for experimentation. Don’t be afraid to swap out the cheese; crumbled feta or creamy goat cheese would introduce a delightful tang, while finely grated Parmesan could add a salty, umami depth. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the bacon or replace it with crispy roasted chickpeas for a textural crunch. To boost the vegetable content, consider adding finely diced cucumbers for extra freshness, sweet cherry tomatoes halved, or even fresh corn kernels for a pop of sweetness. For a heartier meal, grilled chicken or shrimp would make an excellent addition. A sprinkle of toasted pecans or slivered almonds could also introduce another layer of texture and nutty flavor. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to tailor it to your palate and what you have on hand!
While this recipe is specifically designed to highlight the unique crispness and sweet crunch of sugar snap peas, you certainly can experiment with other pea varieties, but be aware that the final texture and flavor profile will differ significantly.
- Snow Peas: These are thinner and more delicate than sugar snap peas. If you use snow peas, you’ll lose some of that satisfying, robust crunch that makes this salad so special. They are also sweeter and have a flatter shape, which changes the mouthfeel and overall textural experience of the salad.
- English/Garden Peas: These are the peas that need to be shelled, as their pods are not edible. If you choose to use garden peas, be prepared for the extra effort of shelling them. The peas themselves will be softer and sweeter than sugar snap peas, resulting in a different texture in the salad. You won’t get the delightful “pod crunch” that is characteristic of a snap pea salad.
- Frozen Peas: Using frozen peas is a convenient option, especially if fresh sugar snap peas are out of season or hard to find. To prepare them for this salad, simply rinse them thoroughly in a colander under cold running water. This will quickly thaw them. After thawing, it’s crucial to pat them completely dry with paper towels to prevent watering down the dressing, which could make the salad soggy. While frozen peas won’t have the same vibrant, firm snap as fresh ones, they will still contribute a lovely sweetness and green color to the salad. They work best if you’re prioritizing convenience over the ultimate crisp texture.
This Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad isn’t just delicious; it’s also a fantastic way to incorporate fresh, seasonal vegetables into your diet. Sugar snap peas are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making this not only a delightful dish but a wholesome one too. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, juicy burgers, smoked pulled pork, or flaky fish for a complete and satisfying meal. It’s also robust enough to be a light lunch on its own, especially if you add extra protein. Its vibrant colors and irresistible taste make it a perfect centerpiece for any spring or summer table.
More Fresh Salad Ideas for Your Summer Gatherings
If you’re looking for more refreshing and crowd-pleasing salad ideas to complement your warm-weather meals, check out these other fantastic recipes:
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad
Creamy Sugar Snap Pea and Bacon Salad
8
servings
20 minutes
30 minutes
50 minutes
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Ingredients
-
6
slices
bacon -
¼
cup
sour cream -
2
tablespoons
mayonnaise -
1
teaspoon
chopped basil
(see Notes) -
1
teaspoon
chopped dill -
1
teaspoon
chopped parsley -
Salt and pepper
, to taste -
1
lb
sugar snap peas
, chopped -
6
oz
sharp cheddar cheese
, cubed -
1
shallot
, diced
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Instructions
-
Cook bacon on the stove top or on a sheet pan in a 375°F oven until crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then roughly chop.
-
In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, basil, dill, parsley, and salt and pepper until well combined and smooth.
-
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the chopped sugar snap peas, cubed cheddar cheese, diced shallot, and crispy bacon with the prepared dressing until everything is evenly coated and distributed. For best presentation, dump the mixed salad into your final serving bowl, if different, and cover with plastic wrap.
-
Chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and up to several hours before serving. While I like to assemble this salad the day I plan to serve it for maximum freshness, it will keep wonderfully in the fridge for several days, allowing the flavors to meld even further.
Notes
- Fresh herbs: I like a very herby dressing for maximum flavor. Feel free to reduce the amounts slightly if that’s your preference for a milder herb profile. Fresh herbs will always give you the best flavor and aroma, and I prefer to use all 3 (dill, parsley, and basil) for a well-rounded taste. If you don’t have one of the fresh herbs, simply leave it out or double up with what you do have on hand.
- To make ahead: This salad is best when combined the day you plan to serve it to maintain the crispness of the peas and bacon. However, all of the individual components can be prepped ahead of time: bake the bacon until crispy, chop the cheddar cheese into cubes, trim and chop the sugar snap peas, and whisk together the creamy herb dressing. Store each component separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days, and then assemble the salad when you’re ready to serve.
Calories:
218
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
6
g
,
Protein:
9
g
,
Fat:
18
g
,
Saturated Fat:
8
g
,
Cholesterol:
38
mg
,
Sodium:
272
mg
,
Potassium:
187
mg
,
Fiber:
2
g
,
Sugar:
3
g
,
Vitamin A:
874
IU
,
Vitamin C:
34
mg
,
Calcium:
186
mg
,
Iron:
1
mg
American
Salad
Annalise Sandberg
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