Green Pea Salad With Easy Creamy Dressing

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 03/30/21
Green Pea Salad With Easy Creamy Dressing

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 3 mins
Total: 18 mins
Servings: 5 to 6 servings

This green pea salad is as pretty as it is flavorful, with bright green peas, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, red onion, and celery. Use a combination of red, yellow, and orange bell pepper for even more color.

Serve this salad with any summer meal or cookout, or take it along to a potluck event or picnic.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh or frozen green peas
  • 1 small carrot, shredded
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup light or regular ranch-style dressing
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Green Pea Salad With Easy Creamy Dressing ingredients

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  2. Steam the peas on the stovetop or microwave oven following the package instructions.

    steam the peas

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  3. Put them in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

    rinse the peas in a colander

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked cooled peas with the bell pepper, onion, and celery.

    combine the cooked cooled peas with the bell pepper, onion, and celery in a large bowl

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  5. In a small bowl, combine the ranch-style dressing, mayonnaise, and seasonings.

    combine the ranch-style dressing, mayonnaise, and seasonings in a small bowl

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  6. Stir the dressing mixture into the vegetables and stir until well coated.

    pour the dressing over the green pea salad

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

  7. Chill the salad for at least 2 hours before serving.

    Green Pea Salad With Easy Creamy Dressing in a bowl

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Tip

  • Make this a few hours in advance and chill thoroughly for best flavor.

Recipe Variations

The salad ingredients are adaptable as well.

  • Add some diced cooked bacon to the salad for a smoky flavor
  • Make it with about 1/2 cup of shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
  • Chopped hard-boiled eggs are a popular addition to many kinds of salads, and would be excellent in this one. Chop or slice one or two hard-boiled eggs; stir into the salad or use as a garnish.
  • For extra herb flavor, a teaspoon of chopped fresh dill or chives to the dressing mixture if you'd like.