Old-Fashioned Pea Salad

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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.

Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.

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
  • Black Pepper
Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.

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.

Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.
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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

Easy Bacon Pea Salad is absolute perfection. The simple mixture of peas, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, hard boiled eggs and mayonnaise marries together into the perfect summertime salad fit for any picnic or family get-together.

Creamy Dill Pea Salad

Creamy Dill Pea Salad is a low-fat, salt-free side dish option.

Crunchy Ranch Pea Salad

Crunchy Ranch Pea Salad is the perfect addition to any pitch-in, cook out or family gathering. The crunchy texture comes from celery, cauliflower and a secret ingredient---chopped cashews.

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
Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.

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.

Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.

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.
Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.

Old Fashioned Recipes Using Peas

Creamed Peas (using canned peas)

Creamed Peas using Canned Peas may not be fancy, but it's fast, economical, easy, and my kids love them. All it takes is a can of green peas, butter, flour, milk, salt and pepper.

Old Fashioned Creamed Peas (from frozen)

Old-Fashioned Creamed Peas uses frozen peas that is jazzed up with a white sauce made of butter, half and half and flour.

Rice Pilaf with Peas

Easy Rice Pilaf with Peas is an easy side dish to complement your regular dinner menu.  The recipe consists of five simple ingredients--white rice, broth, butter, onions and peas.  This is an easy way to add some vegetable to your kids diet without complaints.

Creamed Peas and New Potatoes

Creamed Peas and New Potatoes come together quickly on the stove-top and pair perfectly along side of any entree.  This old fashioned side dish tastes just like Mom or Grandma made it.

Kitchen Essentials

I love these Pyrex bowls with lids for easy transport to and from the holiday gatherings.

Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.
Print Recipe
4.60 from 5 votes

Old-Fashioned Pea Salad

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.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy peasy pea salad, old-fashioned pea salad, pea salad with eggs
Servings: 8
Calories: 135kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces canned green peas, drained
  • 2 Tablespoons onion chopped
  • 3 hard boiled eggs chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together gently.
    Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.
  • Chill, if you want, and serve.
    Using just one can of peas, this Old-Fashioned Pea Salad 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.

Notes

  • This is a peas 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 aren’t larger than the peas.
  • 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.
  • Please note that the carb counts, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on the products you use. The auto-calculation is an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 599IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg

Sharing over at Meal Plan Monday #170!

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

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25 Comments

  1. I would like this recipe using FROZEN PEAS…CANNED PEAS HAVE LITTLE TASTE AND NUTRITION VALUE. “OLD FASHIONED” ISN’T GREAT HERE! LOVE THE REST OF RECIPE, ESPECIALLY IF PRE SHREDDED CHEESE IS NOT USED. Shred cheese

    Reply

      4. Yes! It is old fashioned pea salad! I’m 73 and my parents always made this! Canned English Peas, onion, mayonnaise, boiled eggs and salt and pepper! Delicious!!!

  2. This is exactly how I grew up on it, still one of my favorites! Back in the day my mom and grandma cubed a block of cheddar cheese, they didn’t splurge on shredded, so for old times sake, that’s usually what
    I do! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  3. Many recipes suggest Le Sueur peas which are canned young sweet peas. They are a “premium” brand and delicious especially for pea salad.

    Reply

  4. Love this simple cold salad! Just made it for a hot summer day using frozen peas because that’s what I had and it is simply delicious! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  6. My mom was famous for her Mac & Cheese. Now that she has passed on My siblings have made me the keeper of the sacred dish. lol. I’m the youngest of 7 and we can all make her Mac & Cheese but for some reason I have to bring it to every occasion. When my sons have us over for their gatherings they always say ” You’re bringing Nana’s Mac & cheese right?” When we pull into the driveway I hear all of them say “YES! The mac & cheese is here!” I can feel all the love. lol. When I am asked for the recipe I have to put a warning on it. Beware! If you make this and take it to an occasion or party you will forever be the one to have to make it and take it every time. 😉

    Reply
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  14. My mom (born 1928) made this English pea salad with Grandma Hall before marriage. This salad was on our table EVERY holiday, many Sunday dinners and a simple lunch on a hot summer day. Mom served it with butter crackers and we used the crackers as the spoon! We canned 30 qts. of peas ourselves every year and always ran out before the next summer’s pea salads. My great niece has the recipe and made the salad at our last family dinner. Her 4 year-old daughter is gluten free and loves this salad as much as I do! I think Sara adds a dab of sour cream to it. She has to quad the recipe (as we did) to go around!

    Reply

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