Creamy Ham and Pea Salad: The Perfect Make-Ahead Side Dish
This creamy ham and pea salad is a crowd-pleasing classic that’s simple to make and full of flavor. With sweet green peas, savory ham, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a creamy ranch dressing, it’s a delicious way to use up leftover ham or whip up a last-minute side dish for a potluck or barbecue. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to mix everything together, and it tastes even better after chilling overnight.
Ham and Pea Salad
If you love easy cold salads like this one, you’ll want to check out some of my other favorites like my classic pea salad, this refreshing layered fruit salad, or a crisp Italian sub salad that’s always a hit. These types of salads are great for meal prepping, serving a crowd, or bringing to summer gatherings when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
This ham and pea salad is perfect any time of year but especially shines during spring and summer. It’s a great way to stretch leftover ham, and the creamy ranch base gives it a fresh, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a standalone light lunch.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
It’s a delicious way to use up leftover ham
Comes together quickly with just a handful of simple ingredients
Perfect for make-ahead lunches, potlucks, or picnics
The sweet peas pair perfectly with the salty bacon and creamy ranch
It chills beautifully, making it even better the next day
Easy to customize with different cheeses or add-ins like diced pickles or hard boiled eggs
How to make Ham and Pea Salad with Bacon
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Serve cold.
Tips & Tricks
- Thaw your peas in the fridge or run them under cool water in a strainer to speed things up.
- Chop everything into small, uniform pieces so you get a bit of everything in each bite.
- Let it chill overnight if possible. The flavors meld beautifully and make it even tastier.
- You can easily swap the ranch for a homemade dressing or a mix of sour cream and mayo if you prefer.
FAQs
Ham & Pea Salad
Ham and Pea Salad is the perfect side dish to serve to use up your leftover ham as it combines peas, ham, bacon, cheese, onion, and ranch to create a creamy salad the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
- ½ pound cooked ham, diced
- 6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- ⅓ cup ranch salad dressing
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Serve cold.
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
