This Easy Pea Salad recipe only calls for 5 ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes! Made with frozen peas, mayo, ranch dressing, red onion, and diced ham, it’s the perfect side for nearly any occasion.
As a kid, I wasn’t a big fan of green peas. In fact, I pretty much hated them. I had a great aunt that would sometimes keep me, and I remember her trying to force feed me peas. And, it seems like we had peas every single time I was there.
Fortunately, as I’ve gotten older, my disdain for the veggie has shifted from hatred to quite a bit of fondness. Apparently, the 10,000 taste buds we have are replaced every few weeks and as we age the number of taste buds on our tongues decreases. So things that we disliked as kids, taste different as adults.
Now, I’m still not a big fan of canned peas, but I’ll eat them. The ones I love the most are fresh or frozen peas that are just barely cooked or even raw. I think that’s why I love pea salad so much.
What is pea salad?
Pea Salad is a perfect side dish found at potlucks or holiday gatherings. It is generally a short list of ingredients that you toss together, store in the fridge, and serve chilled. While I’m sure it can be found on dinner tables all around the world, I, for some reason, think of this as a Southern side dish. It’s probably because in the South we are notorious for calling something a “salad” that does not actually feature a leafy green at all. I guess it just makes us feel a little better to say it that way. Either way, I’ll take it! Pea salad is one of my favorite side dishes!
In this particular recipe for easy pea salad, frozen peas are combined with a creamy mayo-based dressing and finely diced smoked ham and red onion. This simple combination is my absolute favorite! However, I have seen many other variations feature different ingredients, like chopped celery, diced bell peppers, crumbles of bacon, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Let me know in the comments section if you try this pea salad with one of these other ingredients! I’d love to hear how it turns out!
How to Store Pea Salad
Pea Salad is best stored in the fridge in an airtight container. You can also store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.
However, this is not the kind of dish you can freeze.
Ingredient FAQs
Packet of Ranch Mix – To add some extra flavor, I add a packet of ranch mix to my dressing – a trick I learned from a restaurant a few years back. I find the flavor perfect, but you can always use less of the ranch mix if you like.
Diced Ham – I love to use some of my own baked ham or ham leftovers, but you can make it even easier by using the finely diced ham that comes in a little pack in the cold cuts/sliced meats section of the grocery store.
Peas – While I love using frozen peas to make this classic side dish super easy (and tasty), you can use fresh peas as well. Simply blanch them in some boiling water, rinse in cold water to stop the cooking, and drain them before adding them to the salad. You’ll need about 1 pound of fresh peas, just as with the frozen ones.
Mayo – This will come as no surprise to anyone who has visited even a few of my recipes… I highly recommend Duke’s mayo for really any recipe, but especially this one. It’s just the right mayo flavor to make this side dish shine.
Red Onion – I like the sharp flavor and color of the red onion, but you could opt for a white, yellow, or sweet onion if you prefer. If you’re not a fan of the sharp flavor of red onion, you can soak the diced red onion in cool water before adding the dressing in order to cut a bit of that tang! By soaking for 5 minutes, you will avoid the flavor of your red onion being too overpowering. Then, drain and add it to your dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen peas or fresh*
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 (0.4 to 1.0 -ounce) packet buttermilk ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup finely diced ham
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
Instructions
- Allow peas to thaw and rinse under cold water in colander. Drain well and spread out on a rimmed sheet pan lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix. Add the peas, ham, and onion and fold together to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
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Hi Stacey! I gave this 4 stars because it looks so good. I always use canned peas (the tiny LeSeur kind) in mine. Also hard cooked eggs, a bit of sweet relish, some onion, and small cubes of American cheese. That’s how my family has always made it. I’d like to try yours though, except for the peas! Gotta keep those that I’m used to. Lol! Thanks for another great recipe!
Thanks, Debra! I totally understand staying true to tradition.
Love pea salad, but I add chopped hard-boiled eggs to mine!
Great addition! Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!
To make it vegetarian I used dry roasted peanuts instead of ham. Excellent recipe! I also enjoy your cookbook!
How creative! Thanks for sharing, Judy! So glad you enjoyed it!
I made your pea salad…then I had to make another batch as the first batch was half eaten before guest came. Sooooo good
Sounds like a GREAT problem to have! So glad y’all enjoyed it!
I’m printing this out so I can make it tomorrow. First we have to finish the Devilled Ham in the fridge….your recipe!
Hope you enjoy both, Carol!
Can you use can peas for this salad?
You can, but I much prefer the texture of frozen.
If I use canned peas how many do I need? I’m also planning on adding mushrooms to mine
You’ll likely need about 3 (15-ounce) cans, but might need to add a little extra mayo as well.
Brings back memories of family favorites my sister-in-law used to make this all the time.
🙂
So good.
Thanks, JimmieLee!
I have made this before from you Stacey and a ton of your other recipes. DELICIOUS. YOU ROCK IN THE KITCHEN!!!
Thanks so much, Sharri!
I have some good ranch dressing I need to use up. Can it be used in place of the powdered mix?
Yep, just swap the mayo and dressing mix in my recipe for some of your prepared ranch. Keep in mind you might need less if the dressing is thinner.
I love pea salad, I put boiled eggs and pimento in mine
Sounds good! I’ve seen where quite a few people have mentioned that.
Loved! 🎈A favorite of the Church ladies!
So glad y’all loved it, Sara!!
I added 2 small boiled eyes and a squeeze honey Dijon mustard. And cheese. Yummy!!! 😋
Glad to hear it turned out great for you!
Pam, Nor so sure about the boiled eyes??
Not sure about the boiled eyes??
Cant wait to try this. My mom used to make a similar salad but she bought peas with pearl onions in them. It was always a hit.
Sure hope you’ll enjoy it!
What do you think of the boiled eggs with the ham as a combination? Is it too much? too strong? And if ham is a no, what about bacon with the eggs? Bacon and eggs are a couple. How would they get along with the peas?
Are you thinking about adding ham and boiled eggs to the pea salad? If so, I think that sounds GREAT!
This was absolutely divine. And the trick to soaking the red onion to take that sharp bite out was brilliant.
Yesterday we had dinner at church and mt mama brought a pea salad. It was 1 can of peas, draIned, 2 Boiled eggs, chopped, onion to taste and with 2 tbsp of mayo. It was pretty good
Not like yours. Mama’s, recipe needed a little love and attention.
Stacey, don’t you repeat that to anyone, lol.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Soaking the red onion really does make a difference. Your mama’s pea salad sounds like a classic! Sometimes a little tweak can elevate even the simplest recipes. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, lol! Thanks for sharing!
I love this pea salad it’s so refreshing! I’ve taken it ti church pot lucks & always get asked for the recipe. The only thing I do is add two bags of peas to the recipe. I make this all year round thank you Stacey!
I’m so glad you love the pea salad! It’s awesome to hear it’s a hit at potlucks.
Really good, I like a little more crunch, so I added finely chopped celery.
Thanks, Barbara! Finely chopped celery sounds like a great way to add some extra crunch. I’ll have to try that next time!
So good,whole family loved your pea salad, and I know it will be great with diced ham.
Making again soon.😊🤭😊
I’m so glad to hear your whole family enjoyed the pea salad! Hope you all love it just as much the second time around! 😊
It’s a little salty for me but if you cut the amount of ranch dressing it would be very good
Thanks for the feedback! I totally get that—ranch can definitely be a bit much for some folks. Cutting back on it sounds like a great idea. Hope you give it another try!
I added one half cup of finely chopped celery.
That sounds like a great addition! Celery can add a nice crunch and fresh flavor. How did y'all like the dish with the celery added?
❤️❤️❤️!! My picky family devoured this at lunch yesterday… Not a drop of leftovers… Half of them prefer sweet and the other half prefer dill–i met them half way and used Miracle Whip, 4 chopped boiled eggs, a can of dromedary pimiento, 6 (maybe 8) pcs chopped bacon added at serving, and a cup of coarse chopped sweet gherkin pickles and made dill mustard devilled eggs, too as my compromise… I had to omit the Ranch Dressing–MSG 😞
Oh, and cubed cheddar!!
Glad to hear you were able to make it your own!
You made an entirely different dish than the one posted! Glad you enjoyed it, but I’d prefer to know how the original recipe worked for you
Used dried onion which I moistened and microwaved for 30 seconds, then added 1/4 cup sour cream, and topped with smoked paprika.
I’m trying this tonight but I’m going to add raisins along with the other ingredients.
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
How’d the raisins go..? We love carrot/raisin/pineapple salad!
Now I have to read the carrot raisin pineapple salad. This reading is making me hangry. I also have to make the pea salad. Sounds like heaven.
I make mine exactly the same. I am suprised you aren’t adding cubed cheddar., and boiled eggs, I’m sure yours is great–but I bet mine is better. LOL
Ha! I have another recipe that calls for the cheese. 🙂
Excellent for church pot luck
I’ve never added the ranch seasoning to pea salad, but I might have to try it. I do love ranch dressing. I typically add 1/4″ cubes of diced colby-jack cheese, and chopped boiled eggs. I’ve never added any kind of meat to mine, either, but ham or bacon either one sounds good.
My mom used peas, cheddar, green onions and mayo. She called “green & gold salad”.
The ranch gives it some great flavor! Enjoy!
This pea salad was really good! Even my non pea eaters liked it.
Thank you. I’m looking forward to trying some of your other recipes.
So glad y’all enjoyed it!
What to have for tonight’s dinner was still up in the air until this recipe showed up in my inbox just an hour ago. I love pea salad and I had everything in my fridge and freezer, so it’s now in my fridge waiting for me. Thanks for posting this.
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Excellent for church pot luck
Yep! Absolutely perfect! Thanks, Rhonda!
Oh no! Bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion and mayo with a bit of sugar is what I know and love!
I tried this last night. I didn’t have any ham, but the recipe was still delicious. Initially I did not add the whole packet of ranch dressing mix, but after shilling in the refrig overnight, It need a little punch, so I added the rest of the ranch mix. Next time I am going use the pea salad as a base and add finely diced parmesan or provolone, finely diced celery, and more of what strikes my imagination. This recipe is a definite keeper.
Thanks, Richard! Glad you liked it!
Oh! I like the parmesan idea!! Have you tried it yet..?
just the best to get out of a rut with other salads
Thanks, Susan!
I’m making it for sun. Dinner, anyway just looking for different ideas, thanks
Easy to prepare! Piquant flavor makes it perfect for summer suppers!
Thanks, Mary!
Please tell me I can make this for Thanksgiving not just summer. This is totally what my mom use to make.
Absolutely! You do you! 🙂
Add 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese cubed at 1/2 inch.
Oops! I meant, 1/2 cup 1/4 inch cubed sharp cheddar!
This sounds like a great addition too!
I think we grew up in the same neighborhood by the looks of the recipes! I love this, but my mom always added chopped boiled eggs.
Forgot the rating!!
I LOVE this recipe with eggs as well!
I just made this pea salad for the second time. It came together even faster this time since I put the peas out to thaw and drain while I went for a hike. It makes enough to serve for at least two meals for the four of us and gets better and better with time. Thanks for another favorite recipe, Stacey!
So glad to hear you’ve enjoyed this one!
Made this for a church luncheon. Everyone enjoyed it. Came home with a clean dish.
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!
This salad is one of my favorite salads, but I never thought about using the ranch dressing package with the mayo . I will be using your recipe from now on, however not boing to crazy about ham I cut up small chunk’s of cheddar cheese. Thanks for posting this recipe. I will be making this right away.
That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is really making my mouth water. Thanks, making out my grocery list!
Hope you enjoy it!
Readers…..you must try this recipe. It is a delightful salad!
Thank you!
This Easy Pea Salad sounds wonderful. I like quick & easy!! Have a blessed day.😊
Quick and easy is my favorite too!
I’m really looking forward to making this, so simple and I love a good pea salad!
So easy!