I’ve eaten a lot of questionable things standing over my kitchen sink at 9 a.m. Until Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Almonds entered my life, I never imagined peas would be one of them.
Peas are not exactly a vegetable that garners love and esteem. More often, they are lumped into categories in the realm of, “things my toddler won’t eat” and “green foods to choke down because they are good for you.” An ardent veggie lover, even I don’t rush to cook up a side of peas for dinner, and if a restaurant offered peas as an option (which I rarely see), I would probably choose an alternative vegetable. Poor peas. No love for you—until now.
Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Almonds has taken peas from “baby food” to “food I cannot stop impulsively shoving into my face and will eat directly from the fridge,” an esteemed category typically reserved for my favorite chocolate chip cookies and Slow Cooker Honey Pulled Pork. Even Ben, who considers peas to be his least favorite vegetable, could not stop eating this healthy green pea salad.
The key to pea irresistibility is the toppings: chopped roasted almonds for warmth and crunch, red onions for bite, and a bit of crispy bacon for smokiness. (I also blame applaud the bacon for this pea salad’s addictive properties, same as I do in this bacon-y lentil and potato Pea Salad.) Vegetarians can obtain a similar effect by omitting the bacon and using smoked almonds instead of the regular roasted almonds called for in the recipe.
At the heart of the salad is a creamy, honey-sweetened dressing. Classic green pea salad calls for gobs of mayo, which completely negates the positive effects of the vegetables (plus, I have a lifelong mayo phobia.)
In the mayo’s place, I made an easy, healthy dressing with Greek yogurt, which tastes rich and creamy, but is loaded with protein and calcium.
I quickly mixed the yogurt with honey for sweetness and a little apple cider vinegar for balance, tossed it with the peas, and voila!
A creamy pea salad that tastes just as decadent as the original, but is filled with good-for-you ingredients. Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Almonds is my current favorite for summer picnics and potlucks, or for an easy, healthy dinner side dish.
I leave you in peace with the peas, courtesy of Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Almonds.
Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Almonds
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon cooked*
- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces shelled petite peas fresh or frozen and thawed
- ¼ cup whole roasted almonds roughly chopped
- ½ small red onion finely chopped
Instructions
- If necessary, cook the bacon according to one of my easy methods listed below. Once cool, chop into small pieces and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add the peas, almonds, and red onion. Toss gently to coat. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- *Easy bacon cooking methods: Air Fryer Bacon and Oven Baked Bacon.
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Another great way to get that smoky flavor for vegetarians would be (I am partial here) Penzey’s smoked Spanish paprika. I made deviled eggs once and used this and actually had a vegetarian ask if there was bacon in them.
Martha, smoked paprika is one of my all-time favorite spices, and Penzeys is one of the best places on earth! That is a great tip. Thanks for sharing!
Peas never looked better! Loving the lightened up dressing made with Greek yogurt – smart!
Wow, peas really never looked better! I’m not a huge fan of peas but once you throw bacon and almonds on it…i’m all over them!!! great dish!
Bacon and almonds for LIFE Julie. No veggie stands a chance ;-)
I love peas! We actually eat them all the time – my whole family (even the kids!) love them! :) But baby food peas are nasty. Just wrong.
I’m totally with you on the ‘No-thanks-I’ll-pass-on-the-mayo’ thing. But Greek yogurt … is there a shovel that I can use? Cause I love it!!!
I think my mom used to make a pea salad years and years ago, but I don’t remember ever actually eating it! I can’t wait to make this … pinning quick quick!!
I love peas, but never make them because I’m the only one who likes them. When my kids were little I made them all the time. Now they too reject those poor peas. This salad looks delicious and easy enough to prepare for one :D
Haha I actually love peas and so does my 3 year old so this salad is right up my alley: ) It looks fantastic and I love the flavors in here! Especially the greek yogurt dressing – yum!
Peas can be so amazing when they’re ‘done right’. I love them, particularly with goats cheese, mint or lemon. This combo looks DIVINE. I think the bacon alone would make my husband eat an entire bowlful! I love the idea of the crunch from the almonds and that gorgeous yoghurt dressing. Yum! x
So when I eat this BY THE HANDFUL…you won’t judge? K good. I actually think the.boy lived off of canned peas before I met him. Pretty sure these would put those to shame.
I am totally with you, I never think about green peas. Not my vegetable of choice, but this looks fantastic! I can’t wait to try it!
Creamy dressing, almonds and bacon work pea miracles! Thanks so much :)
I happen to fall into the “I love peas” category. Although not ever at 9 am! I am loving the yogurt dressing mixed with the peas and bacon. This sounds great!!!
haha I do really like peas I just tend to forget about them! But I feel like I wouldn’t forget about them with this recipe! Looks so good! And I love your photos!
Its the bacon…. Bacon makes EVERYTHING taste good. LOL! :) I don’t actually mind peas these days (wont order them in a restaurant or anything) but Ill eat them. As a kid, I avoided them like the plague, they fell into the green foods that taste awful category. This would work a treat as a side, beef daube maybe?!
I made this today…absolutely amazing. Will try with smoked paprika next time!
Sue, comments like this never ever fail to make my day! I am so glad. Thanks for taking time to share your review, and I am sure smoked paprika will be delicious too!
Is this regular or turkey bacon? I actually never had turkey bacon before, so am wondering if one or the other would be best with the peas or if it doesn’t matter :)
Great question! I use only regular bacon because honestly, I don’t care for the taste or texture of turkey bacon, and I feel the real-deal is worth the splurge. If it works better for your diet/tastes, however, you can certainly use turkey bacon instead.
I added 1/4 tsp of smoked paprika, a tad more regular salt on top of the kosher salt in the recipe (adjusted a little to taste), and I couldn’t help myself: about a heaping TSP of mayo (less than what most recipes require anyway!) and it was wonderful. The original recipe is great and I loved it but it was a smidgen too sweet with the baby peas and honey so that is why I made those adjustments and also to make my bf eat it (however, it says something because this man hates most veggies and ate a full serving of this!). Thanks for a great recipe! Unique taste and lovely texture, will make again.
I am so, so excited to hear this! I bet the addition of smoked paprika was absolutely fabulous too. Thank you so much for trying the recipe and for letting me know how it turned out!
I have always wondered what more can I do with peas that is exciting and creative. With almonds and bacon, this is a must-try recipe! Thank you for this!
Thank YOU Jinky. I hope you love it!
What is the nutritional value of a serving? Did I miss that somewhere?
Hi Lana! Regarding nutritional info, this is something that I’ve actually started adding to all of my new recipes, effective January 2016 (you’ll see it in the recipe box at the bottom). Unfortunately, it’s pretty time consuming, so I’m unable to go back and add it to past recipes. If you’d like the nutritional info for any of my older recipes (or really any other recipe or food), you can actually calculate it yourself for free at myfitnesspal.com (this is how I calculate the new recipes on my blog). I’m sorry I can’t give you the information for this exact recipe, but I hope that My Fitness Pal will be a helpful resource for you.