Okay, so picture this: you’re at a backyard BBQ, the grill is sizzling, and you need something bright, something *different*, to cut through all that smoky goodness. That’s where my absolute favorite **BBQ Pea Salad** swoops in! It’s not your grandma’s plain old pea salad, nope. This one has a secret weapon: a little kiss of smoky BBQ flavor that just makes your taste buds sing. I stumbled upon a version of this years ago at a potluck, and I was hooked. Seriously, I went back for thirds. It was so unexpected and so darn good, I knew I had to figure out my own take on it. Ever since then, this has been my go-to for any summer gathering, picnic, or just when I need a quick, refreshing side dish that feels a little bit special. Trust me on this, you’re going to want this recipe in your life!

Why You’ll Love This BBQ Pea Salad

Okay, why is this **BBQ Pea Salad** going to become your new best friend? Let me tell you! It’s seriously the easiest thing ever.

It takes maybe 15 minutes to whip up – no cooking involved, woohoo!
It’s absolutely perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a simple weeknight side.
That little touch of BBQ sauce gives it a flavor twist you won’t find in typical pea salads.
It’s naturally vegetarian, which is always a plus.
And honestly? It just tastes like happy summer days!

It’s a total winner, trust me.

Gathering Ingredients for Your BBQ Pea Salad

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You don’t need anything fancy for this **BBQ Pea Salad**, just some simple stuff you probably already have or can grab easily. We’re talking about two cups of frozen peas, make sure they’re thawed! Grab about half a cup each of chopped celery, chopped red onion, and chopped red bell pepper for that crunch and color. You’ll also need a quarter cup of shredded cheddar cheese. For the creamy, tangy dressing, you’ll need a quarter cup of good mayonnaise, two tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Don’t forget salt and black pepper to taste!

Equipment You Need for BBQ Pea Salad

Good news! You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this **BBQ Pea Salad**. Just a few basics from your kitchen will do the trick. You’ll definitely need a good-sized bowl for mixing up all those yummy veggies and cheese. Grab a smaller bowl for whisking together the dressing – that’s where the magic happens! And of course, you’ll need your trusty measuring cups and spoons to make sure you get those proportions just right. See? Easy peasy!

Crafting Your Delicious BBQ Pea Salad

Okay, now for the fun part – actually making this amazing **BBQ Pea Salad**! It’s super straightforward, I promise. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing salad in no time. We’re going to build this beauty layer by layer, starting with the base, then adding that yummy dressing, and finally, letting it chill to perfection.

Mixing the Base for BBQ Pea Salad

First things first, let’s get our main players together. Grab that big mixing bowl you set aside. Toss in your thawed peas – make sure they’re nice and drained so you don’t end up with a watery salad, nobody wants that! Add in your chopped celery, red onion, and red bell pepper. Look at all those beautiful colors! And finally, sprinkle in your shredded cheddar cheese. Give it all a gentle stir just to get things acquainted. This is the foundation of our delicious **BBQ Pea Salad**!

Whisking the BBQ Pea Salad Dressing

Now for the star of the show, that smoky, tangy dressing! In your smaller bowl, put in your mayonnaise. Add the BBQ sauce – use your favorite kind, that’s the key! And finally, pour in the apple cider vinegar. Now, grab that whisk and go to town! Whisk it all together until it’s completely smooth and looks like a beautiful, creamy, slightly orange dream. Taste it! Does it need a little more tang? A little more smoky flavor? Adjust it until it’s just right for you. This dressing is what takes our pea salad to the next level.

Combining and Chilling Your BBQ Pea Salad

Okay, we’re almost there! Take that gorgeous dressing you just made and pour it all over the pea and veggie mixture in the big bowl. Now, grab a spoon or a spatula and gently stir everything together. Make sure every single pea and piece of veggie is coated in that delicious BBQ dressing. You want it all mixed in evenly! Once it looks perfectly coated, give it a taste again. Now is the time to add salt and black pepper. Start with a little, stir, and taste again. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away! Once you’ve got the seasoning just right, cover the bowl tightly. This next step is crucial: pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time lets all those amazing flavors meld together and really get to know each other. Trust me, it makes a huge difference! The longer it chills, the better it gets, honestly.

Tips for Perfecting Your BBQ Pea Salad

Okay, you’ve made the salad, now let me share a couple of little things that just make this **BBQ Pea Salad** absolutely perfect every single time. First off, seriously, make sure those frozen peas are totally thawed and drained really well. Like, *really* well! Nobody wants a watery salad, right? Just give them a good shake in a colander. Also, don’t be shy with the seasoning. Taste it after you mix in the dressing and again after it’s chilled. Sometimes those flavors need a little extra salt or pepper to really pop. And finally, that chilling time? It’s not optional! That 30 minutes (or longer!) in the fridge is where the magic happens and all those flavors become best friends. Patience is key here!

Variations on Your BBQ Pea Salad

Okay, while I absolutely adore the classic version of this **BBQ Pea Salad**, sometimes you just want to mix things up a little, right? Here are a few easy ways to play with it. If you like a little kick, just add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing when you’re whisking it. It gives it a nice little warmth without being overpowering. Feeling like corn? Go for it! You can totally swap out maybe half a cup of the peas for thawed frozen corn. It adds a different kind of sweetness and texture. And if you’re not keeping it strictly vegetarian, adding some crispy, crumbled cooked bacon bits is an absolute game-changer. They add a salty crunch that is just *chef’s kiss* with the smoky BBQ flavor. So many yummy ways to make it your own!

Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Pea Salad

Got questions about this delicious **BBQ Pea Salad**? Don’t worry, I’ve probably been asked them before! Here are a few common ones:

Q: Can I use light mayonnaise?
Absolutely! You can swap out the regular mayo for light mayo if you prefer. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be great.

Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?
Definitely! While cheddar is my favorite in this **summer salad**, you could try Monterrey Jack, a little smoked Gouda, or even just leave the cheese out if you prefer.

Q: How long does this BBQ Pea Salad last in the fridge?
Properly covered, this **picnic salad** usually stays good for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving again.

Q: Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?
You sure can! You’ll just want to blanch them quickly in boiling water for a minute or two until they’re tender-crisp, then drain and cool them completely before adding them to the salad. Frozen peas are just super convenient, though!

Estimated Nutritional Information for BBQ Pea Salad

Just a quick note about the nutrition for this **BBQ Pea Salad**. Based on the ingredients I use, a single serving (which is about a cup) comes out to roughly 250 calories. You’re looking at maybe 18g of fat, about 7g of protein, and around 15g of carbs. This is just an estimate, though! Keep in mind that the exact values can totally change depending on the specific brands of mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and cheese you use. So, think of these numbers as a general idea rather than set-in-stone facts, okay?

Enjoy Your BBQ Pea Salad

So there you have it! My absolute favorite **BBQ Pea Salad** recipe. It’s seriously easy, packed with flavor, and just perfect for pretty much any occasion. I really hope you give it a try! When you do, please come back and leave a comment below to let me know what you thought – I love hearing from you! And if you snap a picture, tag me on social media so I can see your delicious creation. Happy salad making!

Secret 250-Calorie BBQ Pea Salad Shocks Palates

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and flavorful pea salad with a smoky BBQ twist.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the thawed peas, celery, red onion, red bell pepper, and cheddar cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
Pour the dressing over the pea mixture and stir to combine.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

For a spicier salad, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
You can substitute frozen corn for some of the peas.
Add cooked bacon bits for extra flavor and crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 250
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: pea salad, BBQ salad, summer salad, picnic salad