Old-Fashioned Pea Salad Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

June 19, 2018February 21, 2023

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This Old-Fashioned Pea Salad is simple to make but is always a crowd-pleaser at our family gatherings. You just combine all the ingredients, mix and this pea salad is ready to serve. The simple ingredients include canned peas, onion, hard boiled eggs, celery, salt and pepper, cheddar cheese and mayonnaise.

Old-Fashioned Pea Salad Recipe

This is one of those classic recipes that is always on the table when our mom’s siblings (and their families) gather for a meal. Our Aunt Terri has made this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad for years. If she does not bring it, she hears about it the entire time the family is together.

What is the one dish that is a must have at your family gatherings? Does the same person have to make it every time or can anyone in the family volunteer to bring it?

Barbara asked Aunt Terri if she would let us share it here on our blog and she graciously agreed.

Pea Salad Ingredients

• Canned peas (also called canned sweet peas), drained
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Onions, chopped
• Celery, diced small
• Mayonnaise
• Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt
• Pepper

English Pea Salad

Using just one can of peas, this recipe is perfect for a side dish for a normal meal without too many leftovers. However, it can easily be doubled (or tripled) for cookouts and pitch-ins. This pea salad can be eaten right away or chilled for later.

This is a humble salad but it is sure to please. We love how simple the ingredients are and how fast this pea salad is to throw together. And,the celery gives this salad a great crunch with the canned peas.

This salad uses three hard-boiled eggs. If you are going to the trouble of making hard-boiled eggs, go ahead and make a few extra for deviled eggs or this Luscious Lettuce Salad in a Jar.

Pea Salad Variations

What are some easy pea salad variations?

Pea Salad is a very versatile old fashioned type of salad. If you don’t have all the ingredients for the classic version, search your refrigerator and create your own with what you have. Here’s three of our favorite pea salad recipes to help inspire you to create your own.

Bacon and Cheese Pea Salad

Creamy Dill Pea Salad

Crunchy Ranch Pea Salad

What can I add to pea salad to make it taste better?

Essentially you can throw in anything but the kitchen sink to make your pea salad taste better. Here are 20 great pea salad ingredients.

• crispy bacon or real bacon bits
• ham
• hard boiled eggs
• celery
• onion
• shredded cheese, any variety
• diced apples
• sour cream
• red onions
• cooked pasta
• relish
• chopped dill pickles
• vinegar
• green or red peppers
• Worcestershire sauce
• sugar
• mustard
• Ranch dressing
• water chestnuts
• raw cauliflower
• lemon juice or zest
• Green yogurt
• green onions

How To Make Classic Pea Salad Recipe

Step By Step Instructions

It’s simple, actually almost too simple.

1. Drain the peas.
2. Chop the onions.
3. Hard boil and chop or slice the eggs.
4. Chop the celery.
5. Add them all to a large mixing bowl, and mix with salt, pepper, shredded cheddar cheese and mayonnaise.

Storage Instruction

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

This easy peasy pea salad will chill nicely, and even taste better after a couple hours in the refrigerator.

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full instructions and ingredient amounts for pea salad with eggs.

Recipe FAQs

• This is a pea salad recipe using canned peas. Be sure to drain the peas well before adding to the salad.
• Chop the onions and celery into a small dice or chop so that they aren’t larger than the peas.
• We use shredded cheddar cheese but feel free to substitute in your favorite type of cheese instead.
• Double or triple this recipe for a pitch-in or potluck!
• Eat immediately if desired, or let it chill for a few hours in the fridge to let the flavors marinate together.
• If you are looking for a lighter, low-fat option, try our Creamy Dill Pea Salad which features frozen peas and sour cream. Or if you love all things bacon, try our Easy Bacon Pea Salad.

Old Fashioned Recipes Using Peas

Creamed Peas (using canned peas)

Old Fashioned Creamed Peas (from frozen)

Rice Pilaf with Peas

Creamed Peas and New Potatoes

Sharing over at Meal Plan Monday #170!

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.