Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon

This Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon is a simple old-fashioned side dish made with sweet peas, cheddar cheese, sunflower kernels, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, holidays, and summer dinners.

This Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon is an easy cold side dish recipe for cookouts, potlucks, summer dinners, and holiday gatherings.

Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon

I love a good chilled side dish for cookouts, summer potlucks, and family dinners, and this Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon is my allergy-friendly version of the classic pea salad recipe you see at potlucks and BBQs.

Traditional pea salad usually has bacon and sometimes onion, but I skip both. I don’t use bacon because of my alpha-gal allergy, and I also leave out onions and peppers because Thomas is allergic to them. We try to keep everyone alive around here haha.

Instead, this version is creamy, cheesy, crunchy, a little sweet, a little tangy, and full of that classic chilled pea salad flavor without the ingredients I need to avoid. If you can have bacon, you can absolutely add it, but this version is made to be delicious without it.

Since alpha-gal reactions can vary, I choose ingredients that work for me. Sometimes I use dairy-free cheese and sometimes I use a cheese I personally tolerate. Always follow your own allergy guidance and check labels.

Tillamook Cheese seems to be a cheese that alpha gal sufferers can tolerate based on the way they process their cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s made without bacon. This is a great option if you avoid pork or need a bacon-free pea salad.
• No onions or peppers. You still get crunch and flavor without using onion or pepper-based add-ins.
• It’s creamy and classic. Sweet peas, cheese, and creamy dressing give it that old-fashioned potluck salad feel.
• It’s make-ahead friendly. This salad tastes even better after it chills for a little bit.
• It’s easy to customize. Add regular bacon, vegan bacon bits, extra cheese, or more crunchy toppings if they work for you.
• Great for cookouts and potlucks. It’s cold, colorful, and easy to serve.

A Bacon-Free Pea Salad for Alpha-Gal

I make this pea salad without bacon because I have alpha-gal and need to avoid pork. Classic pea salad often includes crispy bacon, but this version is still creamy, flavorful, and full of texture without it.

If you do not have an alpha-gal allergy and you love bacon in pea salad, you can add cooked, chopped bacon before serving.

If you are making this for someone with alpha-gal, double-check all packaged ingredient labels. Some people with alpha-gal also avoid dairy, gelatin, mammal fat, and other mammal-derived ingredients. For a stricter alpha-gal-friendly version, use dairy-free cheddar, a safe mayonnaise, and verified vegan bacon bits if adding a bacon-style topping.

Food allergies and alpha-gal sensitivities can vary from person to person, so always follow your own healthcare provider’s guidance and check labels carefully.

Ingredients for Creamy Southern Pea Salad Without Bacon

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy chilled pea salad:

• Frozen peas – Thawed frozen peas work best because they stay sweet, bright, and crisp.
• Cheddar cheese – Cubed or shredded cheddar adds creamy, salty flavor.
• Celery – Adds crunch without using onions or peppers.
• Sunflower seeds – Adds extra crunch and a little nutty flavor.
• Mayonnaise – Mayo makes the dressing creamy.
• Apple cider vinegar – Adds a little tang to balance the creamy dressing.
• Mustard – Adds flavor and helps the dressing taste less heavy.
• Onion Powder – Adds savory flavor without using fresh onion.
• Garlic Powder – Adds flavor and helps round out the creamy dressing.

• Optional vegan bacon bits – Adds bacon-style flavor and crunch if you find a brand that works for your needs.

Optional add-ins: chopped hard-boiled eggs, shredded carrots, diced cucumber, green onions, diced bell peppers, chopped fresh parsley, extra cheddar cheese, or bacon if you are not avoiding pork.

You could also stir in some plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if you’d like a lighter dressing and want to use less mayonnaise.

Can I Add Bacon?

Yes. If you can have bacon and want a more traditional pea salad, add about 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon before serving.

Since I’m allergic to pork because of alpha-gal, I leave the bacon out. You could also try vegan bacon bits, but be sure to check the label carefully if you’re making this for someone with alpha-gal or another food allergy.

Is This Recipe Gluten Free?

This recipe is made with ingredients that are commonly gluten free, but gluten-free needs can vary by person and brand. Always check ingredient labels and choose certified gluten-free products if needed.

Best Crunchy Add-Ins Without Onion or Peppers

A lot of pea salad recipes use red onion for crunch, but this version skips onions and peppers completely. You still have plenty of options for texture.

• Diced celery
• Sunflower seeds
• Chopped cucumber
• Shredded carrots
• Chopped hard-boiled eggs
• Vegan bacon bits
• Extra cheese

Quick Glance Ingredients for Green Pea Salad:

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed and drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• ¼ cup sunflower kernels
• ¼ cup diced celery

How to Make Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon

Mix the Salad Base

Add the thawed peas to a large mixing bowl and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.

Make the Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.

Combine Everything

Pour the dressing over the peas and cheese and stir gently until combined.

Add the Crunch

Fold in the sunflower kernels and diced celery.

Chill Before Serving

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for the best flavor.

Angie’s Kitchen Notes

• Make sure the peas are fully thawed and drained so the salad stays creamy and not watery.
• Sharp cheddar cheese gives the best flavor.
• This salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours.
• You can add extra celery for more crunch.
• Traditional pea salad recipes usually include bacon, but I leave it out because of my allergy and honestly never miss it.

Can I Make Creamy Pea Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes. This pea salad is a great make-ahead side dish. You can make it a few hours before serving and keep it covered in the refrigerator.

If you’re adding sunflower seeds, vegan bacon bits, or bacon, I like to add those closer to serving time so they keep more of their crunch.

Storage and Leftovers

Store leftover Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Give it a good stir before serving leftovers. If the dressing thickens too much in the fridge, you can stir in a small spoonful of mayonnaise to freshen it back up.

Recipe Variations

• Add bacon: If you are not avoiding pork, add 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon.
• Add vegan bacon bits: Use a verified safe brand that works for your allergy needs.
• Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free cheddar or leave out the cheese.
• Add eggs: Chopped hard-boiled eggs make the salad heartier.
• Add cucumber: Diced cucumber gives the salad a fresh crunch.
• Add carrots: Shredded carrots add color, crunch, and sweetness.
• Love Ranch: Add ranch seasoning: Stir in 1 tablespoon dry ranch mix.
• Make it tangier: Add an extra splash of apple cider vinegar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make pea salad without bacon?

Yes. This pea salad is made without bacon, but it still has plenty of flavor from the creamy dressing, cheddar cheese, celery, sunflower seeds, dill, and seasonings.

Why don’t you use bacon in this pea salad?

I don’t use bacon because I have an alpha-gal allergy and need to avoid pork. If you can have bacon, you can add cooked chopped bacon to this recipe before serving.

Can I use vegan bacon bits?

Yes, vegan bacon bits can be a good bacon-style topping, but check the ingredient label carefully if you’re making this for someone with alpha-gal or another allergy. Not every packaged product works for every allergy need.

Is this pea salad alpha-gal friendly?

This recipe is made without bacon or other obvious mammal meat ingredients. However, some people with alpha-gal also react to dairy or other mammal-derived ingredients, so use dairy-free cheddar and carefully checked mayonnaise if needed. Always follow your own allergy guidance and double-check labels.

Do I have to cook the peas?

No. Frozen peas are already blanched before freezing, so you only need to thaw and drain them for this salad. Do not cook them or they may become too soft.

Can I use canned peas?

Frozen peas work best because they stay bright, sweet, and slightly crisp. Canned peas are much softer and can make the salad mushy.

How long does pea salad need to chill?

At least 1 hour is best. This gives the dressing time to coat the peas and lets the flavors come together.

Can I make this pea salad the night before?

Yes. You can make the salad the night before and keep it covered in the refrigerator. For the best crunch, add sunflower seeds, vegan bacon bits, or bacon right before serving.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

Looking for more easy side dishes? Try these next:

• Mozzarella Skull Caprese Pasta Salad
• Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad
• Oven Roasted Carrots

What to Serve With Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon

• French Onion Dip Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
• Chicken Caesar Wraps
• Ranch Chicken Burgers
• Easy Shredded Buffalo Chicken

Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon

Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon

Yield: 5 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This Creamy Pea Salad Without Bacon is a simple old-fashioned side dish made with sweet peas, cheddar cheese, sunflower kernels, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, holidays, and summer dinners.

Print

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed and drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• ¼ cup sunflower kernels
• ¼ cup diced celery

Instructions

Add peas to a large mixing bowl.
Stir in cheddar cheese.
Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and mustard.
Pour dressing over peas and stir gently.
Fold in sunflower kernels and celery.
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Recipe Variations

• Add bacon: If you are not avoiding pork, add 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon.
• Add vegan bacon bits: Use a verified safe brand that works for your allergy needs.
• Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free cheddar or leave out the cheese.
• Add eggs: Chopped hard-boiled eggs make the salad heartier.
• Add cucumber: Diced cucumber gives the salad a fresh crunch.
• Add carrots: Shredded carrots add color, crunch, and sweetness.
• Make it sweeter: Add a little extra honey to the dressing.
• Make it tangier: Add an extra splash of apple cider vinegar.

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