Frozen green pea salad is a dish that’s been passed down in my family; you know, the kind of family dish where the “recipe” is really just an index card with a list of ingredients without quantities.
Sweet green peas, crunchy celery, onions, pickles, and salty olives, finished with a creamy healthy mayonnaise dressing. The flavor combination may sound strange at first, but don’t knock it until you try it! I find this salad so satisfying, and I love that it's endlessly adaptable to incorporate whatever you have on hand.
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Quick Look at This Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Easy Frozen Green Pea Salad
- ✅ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- ✅ Chill Time: 12 hours
- ✅ Yield: 8 servings
- ✅ Calories:
- ✅ Tools: Mixing bowl and measuring utensils
- ✅ Why You'll Love It:
- ✅ Tip: Let it Rest! A little time in the fridge pulls the flavors together in the best way.
What Makes This Recipe Unique?
- Enjoy Anytime of Year - We love taking advantage of the growing season to put together a fresh tomato and onion salad, easy green bean salad, and healthy broccoli salad, but when winter sets in, this frozen green pea salad still tastes fresh and bright.
- All Occasion Crowd Pleaser - It works beautifully with potlucks, summer cookouts, holiday feasts or simple everyday dinners.
- Quick and Easy - It’s quick to come together, even last minute. No stove, no oven, no fuss.
- Make Ahead Magic - The flavors meld in the fridge, so it’s even better after a little time to rest.
- Adaptable - You can add protein, eggs, or cheese if you want to bulk it up.
Key Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, check out the recipe card below.
- Homemade Dressing - I use my homemade mustard and healthy mayonnaise recipes, but if store-bought is what you have on hand, that works just fine.
- Frozen Peas (Almost Thawed) - These little pops of sweetness and crunch are the star of the whole dish.
- Diced Red Onion - Adds color and a mild bite that gives the salad freshness and balance.
- Diced Celery - Adds crispness and a fresh, clean flavor that lightens the creamy dressing.
Optional Add-Ins
- Cubed Cheddar Cheese - Adds richness and makes the salad feel a little more hearty and satisfying.
- Crumbled Bacon or Cubed Ham - Gives you a smoky, salty flavor that turns this simple dish into a full meal.
- Diced Hard-Boiled Eggs - Adds protein and a classic, comforting texture that fits right in with the vintage feel of this recipe.
Recipe Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients until completely combined.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine peas, olives, onion, pickles, celery, and any optional additions you are using. Stir gently until ingredients are evenly mixed.
Step 3: Pour dressing over the salad and fold together until all vegetables are coated. Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours before serving.
Tips for the Best Frozen Pea Salad
- Partially Thaw the Peas - You want them cold and firm so they don’t go soft in the dressing.
- Chop Everything Small - You want a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Taste and Adjust - Every jar of pickles and olives is a little different, so salt may need tweaking.
- Let it Rest - A little time in the fridge pulls the flavors together in the best way.
What to Serve It With
This salad is so versatile that you’ll find it fits into just about any season, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Our best whole roasted chicken recipe
- Grilled chicken, burgers or hot dogs
- Summer potluck spreads with tomato and onion salad, easy green bean salad, macaroni salad, and healthy broccoli salad.
- Lunch plates with sandwiches or Instant Pot macaroni and cheese.
- Holiday feasts with this roast goose recipe or a timesaving spatchcock turkey recipe.
Storage Instructions
If you end up with leftovers (which isn’t likely), just scoop the salad into an airtight container and tuck it into the fridge, where it will keep for a couple of days. Give it a good stir before serving leftovers.
The Homestead Kitchen
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Did you try this frozen green pea salad? If so, please leave a star ⭐ rating and your comments in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!
Frozen Green Pea Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls one large bowl for the salad and one small bowl for the dressing.
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise We use this healthy mayonnaise recipe.
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard Try this homemade mustard recipe!
- 1 teaspoon Salt We use Redmond Real Salt. Use that link to automatically get 15% off your order!
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
For the Salad:
- 4 Cups Frozen Peas partially thawed
- ½ Cup Green Olives chopped
- ½ Small Red Onion diced
- ½ Cup Dill Pickles chopped
- ½ Cup Celery diced
- Optional Ingredients cubed cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, or chopped hard-boiled eggs
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients until completely combined.
- In a medium bowl, combine peas, olives, onion, pickles, celery, and any optional additions you are using. Stir gently until ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Pour dressing over the salad and fold together until all vegetables are coated.
- Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours before serving.
Notes
Tips for the Best Frozen Pea Salad:
- Partially Thaw the Peas - You want them cold and firm so they don’t go soft in the dressing.
- Chop Everything Small - You want a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Taste and Adjust - Every jar of pickles and olives is a little different, so salt may need tweaking.
- Let it Rest - A little time in the fridge pulls the flavors together in the best way.
- Grilled chicken, burgers or hot dogs
- Summer potluck spreads with tomato and onion salad, easy green bean salad, macaroni salad, and healthy broccoli salad.
- Lunch plates with sandwiches or Instant Pot macaroni and cheese.
- Holiday feasts with this roast goose recipe or a timesaving spatchcock turkey recipe.
