Delicious Irish Pea Salad (Printer-Friendly Version)

Chilled salad of peas, cheddar, celery, & red pepper in creamy dressing. Refreshing, tangy, and vibrant.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 3 cups frozen peas, thawed and patted dry
02 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced into 1/4-inch cubes
03 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely minced

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
10 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Ensure frozen peas are fully thawed and thoroughly patted dry with paper towels. Dice cheddar cheese into 1/4-inch cubes. Finely chop celery, red bell pepper, and red onion into uniform pieces.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, gently combine peas, diced cheddar, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion, taking care not to crush the peas.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Pour the dressing over the pea mixture. Fold gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably 2 hours, to allow flavors to blend.
05 - Before serving, stir the salad gently to distribute the dressing. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Garnish with reserved cheese cubes if desired.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For optimal texture, ensure peas are thoroughly dried after thawing to prevent a watery salad.
02 - This dish is an excellent make-ahead option as the flavors improve after refrigeration.
03 - To mellow the onion's bite, soak minced onion in cold water for 5 minutes before adding.