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    Home » Side Dishes » Southern English Pea Salad

    Southern English Pea Salad

    Published: Jun 3, 2022 by Anne Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    You're going to love this English Pea Salad! Tender English peas nestled in a creamy dressing with a hint of crispness and sweetness from sweet pickle relish. Shredded cheddar cheese adds a little twang, and the pimento adds a splash of color (this really is a pretty salad).

    pea salad in white bowl on white serving tray with small white bowl of chopped parsley

    My version of English Pea Salad has no egg, no sour cream, and no apple cider vinegar. But you could certainly add a chopped hardboiled egg (no rules here other than keeping it simple and tasty). Sour cream and vinegar are not needed thanks to the sweet pickle relish (oh how we love the addition of relish!).

    Why This Recipe Works

    If it ain't easy, it ain't on my blog!

    Canned peas - I like using canned peas for this recipe because (1) I have yet to find frozen peas that don't have a hard shell -- even after they're thawed and cooked, and (2) because fresh peas require blanching. And you know that I'm all about easy recipes, so I wanted this recipe to be easy, delicious, and mouth-watering (and it is!).

    No cooking - this cold pea salad is perfect for those hot summer days when you don't really want to heat up the kitchen. Another cold summer salad you may like is my Shoe Peg Corn Salad. It's easy and delicious, just like this English pea salad!

    One bowl - just one bowl or casserole dish is all you need. Mixing everything in the same dish makes for less clean up, right!

    What Goes In It

    Easy-to-find ingredients are what's up with this English Pea Salad!

    ingredients measured out in individual containers

    Canned English Peas - for this recipe, I prefer Del Monte Fresh Cut Sweet Peas

    Sweet Pickle Relish - adds a subtle sweetness and a little twang

    Celery, Green Bell Pepper, and Green Onions - add fresh flavor and crispy crunch.

    Mayonnaise - adds creamy goodness!

    Shredded Cheddar Cheese - use regular or sharp cheese.

    Smoked paprika - I bet you haven't had this in your pea salad before! This is what I call Southern Flair - that little bit of extra flavor.

    Jar of Pimento - this is fairly tasteless but adds some lively color to the salad.

    How to Make It

    Start with a little prep and then toss everything into one container! I told you, this English Pea Salad is super easy! Here's how to fix it:

    all ingredients mixed up in silver bowl

    Prep by chopping the celery and bell pepper, and snipping the green onions with your scissors. Drain the English peas and pimento.

    pea salad in white bowl on white serving tray with small white bowl of chopped parsley

    Mix all the ingredients in your favorite casserole dish or bowl. For optimal flavor, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long will it stay fresh?

    English pea salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge. Keep it covered!

    Can you freeze it?

    No, I don't recommend freezing it. So go ahead and eat it up or share the leftovers.

    Expert Tips

    Use a high-quality brand of canned English peas. They'll be very tender on the outside and creamy on the inside with a nice flavor. Get the "no salt added" version if you're watching sodium.

    Chop the celery and bell pepper about the same size as the peas. I like to keep them uniform in size with the pea - this texture is really nice and pairs well with the shredded cheese.

    Additions and Substitutions

    Southern pea salad sometimes contains the following additions -- it just depends on who is making the recipe 🙂

    Peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs

    Cooked, crispy bacon

    Ham (diced into small pieces)

    salad in white bowl on white serving tray with small white bowl of chopped parsley

    More Fabulous Side Dishes

    • Easy and Delicious Southern Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • Southern Baked Beans
    • Roasted Parmesan Potatoes in Oven Recipe - Easy Slice and Bake
    • Easy and Delicious Spinach Parmesan Casserole

    Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook for delicious recipe ideas!

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    If you tried this recipe, please rate it and leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

    salad in white bowl on white serving tray with small white bowl of chopped parsley

    Southern English Pea Salad

    You're going to love this English Pea Salad! Tender English peas nestled in a creamy dressing with a hint of crispness and sweetness from sweet pickle relish. Shredded cheddar cheese adds a little twang, and the pimento adds a splash of color (this really is a pretty salad).
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin For Later Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Optional Chill Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 271kcal
    Author: Anne Clark

    Equipment

    • large mixing bowl
    • measuring cup(s)
    • measuring spoons
    • Mesh strainer

    Ingredients

    • 15 ounces canned sweet peas, drained I use one can Del Monte Fresh Cut Sweet peas
    • 4 ounces jar diced pimento, drained
    • ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
    • ½ cup celery (diced pea size) About 1-½ stalks
    • ¼ cup green bell pepper (diced pea size) About ½ bell pepper
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 3 green onions, chopped Use scissors to cut green onions
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
    • salt and pepper to taste taste test before adding salt because the peas and cheese already contain salt
    • fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) optional

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Taste test and add salt or pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
    • For best results, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving to allow time for the flavors to meld together.

    Notes

    Placed the pimento in a mesh strainer over a bowl.  With the back of a spoon, gently press down on the pimentos to release all the liquid.
    This salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days, covered, in the refrigerator.
    Freezing the salad is not recommended.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mykitchenserenity or tag #mykitchenserenity on Instagram!!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 347mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1291IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.

    « Low-Carb Breakfast Casserole
    Cajun Shrimp Stew »

    About Anne Clark

    Hi! I'm Anne, the founder and content creator at My Kitchen Serenity, a food blog focused on serving the needs of busy moms and dads who are looking for easy and delicious recipes for the family.

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    Hi. I’m Anne and I’m happy to share with you my easy, family-friendly recipes. I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, and what I’ve learned is that most busy families appreciate easy homemade meals. Now that the kids are grown, my passion is creating and sharing flavorful food for you and your family to enjoy as well. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] 

    I’d love to hear from you!

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