Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad

A cool, crunchy, and creamy side salad bursting with bright peas and sharp cheddar bites.
Yield: 6 servings | Chill Temp: Refrigerated | Time: 15 minutes prep + 30 minutes chill

When warm weather arrives—or you just need a refreshing, satisfying side dish—Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad steps in like an old friend. It’s the kind of salad that feels nostalgic, like something you’d find at a potluck table or a family barbecue, yet it’s simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight.

In every bite, you get a mix of textures and flavors:

the sweet pop of peas,
the savory richness of cheddar and ham,
the sharp bite of red onion,
all wrapped in a creamy, tangy dressing that ties everything together.

Unlike leafy salads that wilt or lose their appeal after a few hours, this pea salad actually benefits from a little time in the fridge. The flavors meld, the dressing settles in, and what you’re left with is a salad that tastes even better the next day. It’s a go-to option for make-ahead meals, picnics, and gatherings where you want something easy, colorful, and reliably delicious.

Whether you’re pairing it with grilled meats, serving it alongside sandwiches, or enjoying it as a simple lunch on its own, this Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad has that perfect balance of comfort and freshness.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad

There are plenty of side dishes out there, but this one has a few superpowers that make it stand out:

Fast and fuss-free.
From start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes of prep and then some chill time in the fridge. No cooking over a hot stove, no complicated steps.
Everyday ingredients.
Most of the ingredients—peas, cheese, onion, mayo—are pantry or fridge staples. It’s the kind of recipe you can often make without a special trip to the store.
Crowd-pleasing flavor.
The combination of sweet peas, sharp cheddar, and creamy dressing is classic comfort food. Add in the ham and red onion, and you’ve got layers of flavor in every bite.
Perfect for make-ahead.
This salad actually improves as it rests. Make it in the morning (or even the night before), and it’s ready to go when you are.
Versatile and customizable.
You can keep it simple or dress it up: add bacon, fresh herbs, nuts, or seeds. Adjust the dressing to be lighter or richer depending on your taste.
Great all year round.
In summer, it’s a cool, refreshing side. In colder months, it’s a cozy, creamy salad that still brings brightness and crunch to your plate.

If you love recipes that are easy to assemble, full of texture, and always welcome at the table, this Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad is one you’ll make again and again.

Key Ingredients First

Here are the stars of this salad, the ingredients that give it its signature flavor and texture:

2 cups frozen green peas (thawed)
Sweet, tender, and full of color. Frozen peas are convenient and consistent, making them perfect for this salad.
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese cubes
Sharp cheddar adds a bold, savory bite that stands up beautifully to the creamy dressing and sweet peas.
½ cup diced red onion
Red onion gives a mild, tangy bite and a nice pop of color. It keeps the salad from tasting too heavy or one-dimensional.
½ cup diced ham
Adds a satisfying, savory note and a bit of protein, turning this salad into something more filling and substantial.

These four ingredients are the foundation of the recipe. From here, we’ll build the dressing and add a few extra touches to balance texture and flavor.

Full Ingredient List

For the Salad

2 cups frozen green peas, thawed and drained
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
½ cup diced red onion
½ cup diced ham (cooked; leftover ham works great)
½ cup diced celery (optional, for extra crunch)
¼ cup crisp cooked bacon, crumbled (optional but delicious)

For the Creamy Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (to taste)
1–2 teaspoons granulated sugar or honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for a gentle tang)
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill (optional, for freshness)

This ingredient list keeps things simple while leaving room for you to adjust the taste and texture. You can keep it classic or lean more into tangy, herby, or smoky flavors depending on what you like.

Step-by-Step

Instructions

1. Prepare the Peas

Measure out 2 cups of frozen peas and place them in a bowl.
Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes, or rinse them briefly under cool water to speed up thawing.
Once thawed, drain well and pat dry with a paper towel so the salad doesn’t become watery.

Tip: You don’t need to cook the peas—frozen peas are blanched before freezing, so they’re already tender and safe to eat.

2. Dice the Mix-Ins

Cheddar cheese: Cut the cheddar into small cubes, about the size of a pea or slightly larger. This ensures every forkful has a good balance of peas and cheese.
Red onion: Finely dice the red onion so it blends into the salad without overpowering it. If you’re sensitive to the sharpness, you can soak the diced onion in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
Ham: Dice the ham into small bite-size pieces. Leftover baked ham, deli ham, or even thick-cut ham steaks all work well.
Celery (optional): Dice the celery finely for extra crunch.
Bacon (optional): Cook the bacon until crisp, then let it cool and crumble it.

Place all these ingredients in a large mixing bowl along with the peas.

3. Whisk the Creamy Dressing

In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine:

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1–2 teaspoons sugar or honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (if using)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Taste the dressing and adjust as needed:

Add a bit more vinegar if you like it tangier.
Add a touch more sugar/honey if you want a slightly sweeter balance.
Stir in chopped parsley or dill if you’re using herbs.

4. Combine Salad and Dressing

Pour the creamy dressing over the pea mixture.
Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold everything together until the peas, cheese, ham, and onion are evenly coated.
Be careful not to mash the peas—fold rather than stir aggressively.

At this point, the salad will already look vibrant and inviting, but the real magic happens after it chills.

5. Chill the Salad

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container.
Place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours before serving.

This chill time allows:

The flavors to meld together.
The dressing to slightly thicken and cling to the peas and mix-ins.
The onion to soften just a bit, blending into the salad more smoothly.

6. Final Touches and Serving

Before serving:

Give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing.
Taste and adjust seasoning—add a pinch of salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar if needed.
If you reserved some crumbled bacon, extra cheese cubes, or fresh herbs, sprinkle them over the top for a pretty finishing touch.

Now your Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad is ready to enjoy!

Flavor Variations and Creative Twists

One of the best things about this salad is how easy it is to customize. Here are some ideas to make it your own:

1. Lighter & Fresher Version

Use Greek yogurt in place of some (or all) of the mayonnaise for a lighter dressing with a bit more tang.
Add extra fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives for a garden-fresh flavor.

2. Extra Smoky & Savory

Increase the bacon and reduce or omit the ham for a bacon-forward version.
Add a small pinch of smoked paprika to the dressing for a gentle smoky flavor.

3. Sweet & Crunchy Twist

Add ¼ cup of raisins or dried cranberries for little bursts of sweetness.
Toss in ¼ cup chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, or sunflower seeds for extra crunch.

4. Cheese Lover’s Salad

Mix sharp cheddar with other cheeses like pepper jack, Colby, or smoked gouda.
Add a small handful of grated Parmesan to the dressing for extra richness.

5. Veggie-Packed Version

If you want to sneak in a few more vegetables:

Add diced bell pepper, cucumber, or carrot for more color and crunch.
Stir in a handful of corn for a sweet, sunny twist.

These variations let you adapt the salad to whatever you have on hand or to match the theme of your meal.

How to Serve Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad

This salad is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with many main dishes.

As a Side Dish

Serve it chilled alongside:

Grilled meats (chicken, steak, pork chops, sausages)
Burgers or hot dogs at a cookout
Baked or fried fish
Roasted or rotisserie chicken

It brings a cool, creamy contrast to hot, savory mains and adds a nice splash of color to the plate.

As Part of a Buffet or Potluck

Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad is ideal for:

Potlucks
Family gatherings
Holiday tables
Picnics and BBQs

It holds up well on a buffet, and because it’s not delicate like leafy greens, it doesn’t wilt quickly.

As a Light Meal or Lunch

This salad is satisfying enough to enjoy on its own or with a few simple additions:

Serve it with crusty bread or crackers.
Spoon it over a bed of lettuce for a more traditional salad presentation.
Add extra ham or some grilled chicken for more protein and make it a full lunch.

Tips & Helpful Tricks

A few small details can take this salad from good to great:

Thaw and drain the peas thoroughly.
Excess water from peas can thin the dressing and make the salad watery. Patting the peas dry helps the creamy dressing cling better.
Cut everything into small, even pieces.
Keeping the cheese, ham, and vegetables roughly the same size as the peas gives you a perfect mix in every bite.
Adjust the dressing to your taste.
Think of the dressing as flexible:
- More vinegar = tangier
- More sugar/honey = sweeter
- More yogurt or sour cream = tangier and lighter
- More mayo = richer and creamier
Give it time to chill.
The salad is good right away, but even better after at least 30 minutes in the fridge. If you can, let it sit for a few hours.
Add bacon just before serving.
If you’re using bacon, reserve some to sprinkle on top at the last minute so it stays crisp.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing

Make-Ahead

This salad is perfect for making ahead:

Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Give it a stir just before serving. If the dressing has thickened a lot, you can loosen it with a tablespoon of milk, cream, or a bit more yogurt.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The salad stays fresh for about 3 days. After that, the peas may lose some of their brightness and the dressing can become a bit looser.

Can You Freeze It?

Freezing is not recommended for this salad.
The texture of the peas and the creamy dressing can change significantly after thawing, becoming watery and less appealing. For the best flavor and texture, enjoy it freshly made or within a few days from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad is one of those recipes that feels both familiar and special at the same time. It brings together simple ingredients—peas, cheese, ham, onion, and a creamy dressing—and turns them into a dish that fits almost any occasion.

It’s:

Quick to make
Easy to customize
Perfect for making ahead
Loved by kids and adults alike

Whether you’re filling up a summer picnic table, rounding out a holiday meal, or prepping lunches for the week, this salad is a reliable choice that always delivers flavor, color, and comfort.

With just a few minutes of chopping and stirring, you can create a bowl of creamy, crunchy goodness that feels like a classic side dish you’ve been making for years—even if today is your first time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use canned peas instead of frozen?

You can, but frozen peas are strongly recommended. Frozen peas stay bright, firm, and sweet, while canned peas are much softer and can make the salad mushy. If you do use canned peas, drain and rinse them very well, and handle them gently when mixing.

Can I make this salad without ham?

Yes, absolutely. You can:

Simply leave out the ham for a vegetarian version (as long as your cheese and dressing ingredients fit your preferences).
Replace ham with crisp bacon, smoked turkey, or even chickpeas for extra protein.

Can I make the dressing lighter?

Yes. To lighten the dressing:

Use Greek yogurt for part (or all) of the mayonnaise.
Reduce the amount of mayo and increase the amount of yogurt or sour cream.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, as yogurt can be tangier than mayo.

You’ll get a creamier, tangy salad with less richness but still plenty of flavor.

How long can this salad sit out at a party?

Because the dressing is dairy-based, it’s best to follow food safety guidelines:

At room temperature, the salad can sit out for about 2 hours.
In warmer outdoor settings, keep it on ice or return it to the refrigerator between servings.

Can I add pasta to this salad?

Yes! If you want to turn this into more of a pea and pasta salad:

Add 1–2 cups of cooked, cooled pasta (such as small shells, macaroni, or rotini).
Increase the dressing ingredients slightly so the salad stays creamy.
Adjust salt and pepper after adding the pasta, since it will absorb some of the seasoning.

What can I serve with Creamy Pea & Cheddar Salad?

This salad pairs beautifully with:

Grilled chicken, steak, or pork
Burgers and hot dogs
Baked ham or roast turkey
Sandwiches and wraps
Fried or baked fish

It’s flexible, so you can serve it with almost any main dish that needs a cool, creamy, and colorful side.