Pea Salad - I didn't think I'd like it either!

May 25, 2016
Peas, celery, hard-cooked egg, shredded cheddar, and pimentos combine to make Pea Salad???  I didn't think I'd like it ~ but it's really  good!

Pea Salad ~ a wonderful choice for a picnic or potluck!  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


I remember well when my Mom told me about this recipe for pea salad.  We were on the phone discussing recipes for the family cookbook I was pulling together as a gift for our family members.  My immediate thoughts: 

"That.  Sounds. Disgusting.  Peas, hard-boiled egg, pimento, cheddar cheese, and a mayo-based dressing?  All together??  Who thinks of this stuff?  I mean, seriously, were they cleaning out the refrigerator or something???  And she wants to include this recipe in the family cookbook?  I don't even like peas!"


Pea Salad ~ a wonderfully delicious combination of peas, celery, hard-cooked egg, and shredded cheddar.  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com

But it's one of my Dad's favorites.  So ... reluctantly on my part ..., into the family cookbook it went.

That didn't mean I had to try it, though!

Well, not until I set the personal goal of {eventually} cooking every recipe in our family cookbook ... ya know, kind of like Julie cooks through every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook in the movie Julie and Julia.  Here's our family cookbook ... I'm slowly-but-surely cooking my way through it:


(Sidenote:  I worked with The Great Family Cookbook Project to publish it.  If you're ever considering creating a family cookbook of your own, I highly recommend them... they were wonderful to work with.)

So, having faith in my Mom's culinary taste, I took the plunge to try out this recipe when I was having some friends over. 

Generally, my friends know that when they come to my house, they're going to get some truly-Tracey-tried-and-true food ... along with an experiment or two!  And on this given day, Pea Salad was my experiment.

Pea Salad ~ a classic picnic and potluck salad.   www.thekitchenismyplayground.com

I never fill a guest menu with experimental dishes, but I pretty much always take the opportunity of having friends over to try out at least one new-to-me dish.  And I typically make the experimental dish be a side, or a dessert when I'm offering a selection of desserts.  Worst case - when I give it a taste test, I can just choose not to serve the dish if it disappoints!

Well, guess what.  I absolutely loved the pea salad.

I know, I know ... I should have never doubted my Mother.  At 40'ish years old, you'd think I would have learned that by now.

Check out these other tasty vegetable salads:
Pea Salad ~ a classic picnic and potluck salad.  It may sound like a strange combination, but it's really so good!   www.thekitchenismyplayground.com
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pea salad recipe, potluck salad recipes, recipes for potlucks, easy recipes
Salads
American
Yield: about 10-12 servings

Pea Salad

Peas, celery, hard-cooked egg, shredded cheddar, and pimentos combine to make Pea Salad??? I didn't think I'd like it ~ but it's really good!
prep time: 15 Mcook time: 5 Mtotal time: 20 M

ingredients:

  • 1 (24 oz.) package frozen peas
  • 1 c. chopped celery
  • 1/4 c. chopped green onions (I just put in the whole bunch of green onions, chopped)
  • 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
  • 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 (2 oz.) jar pimentos, drained
  • 1/2 c. mayonnaise
  • 3 T. sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. ground mustard
  • 1 tsp. salt

instructions:

How to cook Pea Salad

  1. Thaw peas by running them under cool water. Drain well.
  2. Combine peas, celery, eggs, green onions, cheddar cheese, and pimientos in a large bowl. 
  3. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, and seasonings; stir into pea mixture.
  4. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Created using The Recipes Generator



You might also enjoy these other delicious salad recipes:







Classic Pea Salad ~ This salad's classic for a reason -- because it's really, really good! www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


Affiliate links are included in this post. I receive a small amount of compensation for anything purchased from these links,at Amazon.com at no additional cost to you.


40 comments

  1. I'm trusting you, I printed this to try, very colorful! Nice cookbook and love the cookbook holder.

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  2. I have to say, I'm with you, a pea salad is hard to imagine, yet it looks good. I wonder how it might taste with others cheeses also :)

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  3. I've make a similar salad and I always have to convince people to trust me and just try it. They always like it once they do! It really is a great combination of flavors. Plus, shouldn't you always trust your mom? :)

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  4. I'm going to give this a try for a bbq I'm going to... I hope it goes over well! :D
    -Carrie

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  5. I am trusting your word and will try this…


    Stop by and link up at What’s Cooking Wednesday!

    http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/2011/08/whats-your-favorite-cookbook.html

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  6. You know the first time I had a pea salad I was NOT looking forward to it, either. I was at a family function with my boyfriends' family, though, so I was forced. It was actually pretty good! I'm not a huge pea fan, but if I have to eat them I'd rather eat them in a salad like this. I think we had crumpled bacon in ours, you should try it!

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  7. I put grated carrots in mine instead of pimento. I also put in crumbled bacon when I'm in the mood!

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  8. My family has always served a similar pea salad at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And now it's a favorite at my in-law's holidays too. In fact, I don't think they'd allow me in the door if I forgot to bring it.

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  9. I wonder how it would taste with Greek yogurt instead of the mayonnaise. I often use the yogurt as a substitute for mayo and sour cream.

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    1. I would certainly think that would work. It'll probably give just a bit different 'tang' to it ... you know what I mean? ... but if you're used to substituting Greek yogurt for mayonnaise, then I would think your taste buds are already accustomed to that flavor difference. I say give it a try!

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  10. I always add a little frozen peas to my potato salad. Yummy....

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  11. My Mother who passed away at 97 always made what she called english pea salad.. It always had cooked carrot coins in it along with eggs onion and cheese .One of my favorites

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  12. We add red apples with the peels still on, cut up into bite sized pieces. My Mother-In-Law brought it to our home and I didn't want to try it, but did. It is now one of my favorite salads ;)

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  13. I forgot to mention that dill pickle relish or cut up pickles are also a part of her pea salad.

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  14. I make a.similar pea salad it uses green giant canned.peas ( only) diced boiled eggs a dash of salt,pepper,granulated garlic an mayo to bring it all together how much depends.on how many people your making it for and your taste

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  15. Just like my Mother used to make it although she used Miracle Whip but no added sugar since Miracle Whip has enough sweetness.

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  16. I love that you have a family cookbook, and that it includes this! It looks great! PINNED because I need to try this, maybe then my kids will eat their peas! :-)
    Cathy@ three kids and a fish

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  17. I'm a bit wary of the pimento, but otherwise, I've had many a salad bar dinners that looked similar to this. Yumm!

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  18. I just love a Pea Salad and your recipe looks delicious! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your post with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  19. I have never even heard of pea salad, but now I can't wait to try it! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

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  20. Looks so delicious! Thanks for the recipe. Love also your other salad recipes. You're really a salad master :-)

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  21. This dish was always on my grandmother's table. I never tried it when I was younger but it's looking every yummy right now! Thanks so much for the memories and for inspiring me to try something new! Pinning!

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  22. Always trust your Momma :)

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  23. LOL, I use to think the same thing about Pea Salads! But once I tried them I loved them! I've never put pickle relish in a pea salad though so I'm going to try your version. It looks delicious! I've used small cubes of cheddar cheese and I some times add shredded or chopped imitation crab meat...delicious also!

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  24. Is your cookbook for sale? I have printed and used most of your recipes and they are just awesome, so delicious. But would like to purchase this cookbook you have shown of the family favorites.
    Elizabeth
    elizabedu3@aol.com

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    1. You're so sweet, Elizabeth! Thank you so very much for your kind words ... they made me smile. :-) Unfortunately, no, the family cookbook is not for sale. But perhaps someday I'll do a version that is. Thank you for being a reader of The Kitchen is My Playground!

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  25. I adore pea salad…it makes you feel like you're being healthy!

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  26. LOVE pea salad! At every family union all my 60 years! :-) I add a little bacon to it.

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  27. I had this just yesterday at a picnic with crumbled bacon added! very good.

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  28. Our family loves Pea Salad and your recipe looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
    Miz Helen

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  29. Made this for lunch today and it is excellent! I was too lazy to go out to the garden for green onions so I used a red onion instead and didn't have pimentos so used red pepper.

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  30. Our family loves Pea Salad very much.Your recipe is so good.Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe. You just help me to make my lunch. Very informative blog-site.

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  31. I love pea salad and yours is alot like mine except I add some purple onion to mine. You can also add some bacon to it.

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  32. I love pea salad but I think it is much like making potato salad . Every family or cook seems to have a bit different version. Yours is pretty much a a basic guideline and how I make mine but I do use mayo as I do not like Miracle Whip. Bacon bits is a great addition.

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  33. We had a local restaurant whose pea salad I still yearn for. I once asked the restaurant owner for the recipe. She said she makes it just like potato salad but with LeSeur peas instead of potatoes. Well, I have never made a decent potato salad, so I've never tried to duplicate her pea salad. Maybe this will work.

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  34. Could you use the englih peas in the canned Drained? Are they to soft, Thanks

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  35. Congratulations!
    Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday Top Ten this week! Thanks so much for sharing with us and hope you have a great week.
    Miz Helen

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  36. I printed your recipe out a few years ago and got hooked immediately. Made for the umpteenth time today for a family gathering. I always double the recipe as there is never any left!! Who knew, right? Thank you.

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    1. Great, we love hearing when readers and their families enjoy the recipes.

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  37. Made this pea salad and it was delicious
    Will definitely make again

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