{"id":3545,"date":"2026-04-30T00:31:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T00:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/recipes.hopemakers.online\/2026\/04\/30\/dump-a-whole-pork-tenderloin-in-the-slow-cooker-with-3-simple-ingredients-and-your-husband-will-swear-you-spent-all-day-cooking-recipes\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T00:31:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T00:31:05","slug":"dump-a-whole-pork-tenderloin-in-the-slow-cooker-with-3-simple-ingredients-and-your-husband-will-swear-you-spent-all-day-cooking-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/?p=3545","title":{"rendered":"Easy Creamy Bacon Pea Salad (Best Classic Potluck Side Dish for Quick Dinner & Meal Prep)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Engaging Introduction:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s always that one dish at a potluck that disappears before you even get a second scoop\u2014and more often than not, it\u2019s this creamy bacon pea salad. It\u2019s nostalgic, comforting, and surprisingly addictive. The combination of crispy bacon, sweet peas, and a rich, tangy dressing hits every craving in one bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


[adinserter block=”5″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for an easy recipe<\/strong> that works for everything from quick dinners<\/strong> to meal prep<\/strong> and backyard barbecues, this is it. No complicated steps, no fancy equipment\u2014just simple ingredients coming together into a crowd-pleasing, high-protein side dish<\/strong> that people will ask you to make again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why You\u2019ll Love This Recipe:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • \u00a0Quick & easy recipe<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 ready in just 15 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u00a0Perfect for\u00a0meal prep and potlucks<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u00a0Creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory in every bite<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u00a0Uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u00a0A satisfying\u00a0high-protein side dish<\/strong>\u00a0everyone loves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    Ingredients:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • 4 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1\/4 cup red onion, finely diced<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1\/2 cup mayonnaise<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1\/4 cup sour cream<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1 tablespoon sugar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1\/2 teaspoon salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 1\/4 teaspoon black pepper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      Instructions \/ Method:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Step 1: Prepare the Peas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Place the frozen peas in a colander and rinse with cool water until thawed. Shake off excess water and spread on paper towels to drain completely. Excess water will thin the dressing and make the salad watery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step 2: Cook the Bacon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, approximately eight to ten minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then crumble or chop into small pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step 3: Make the Dressing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step 4: Combine the Salad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


      [adinserter block=”7″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In a large bowl, combine the thawed peas, crumbled bacon, cubed cheddar cheese, and diced red onion. Pour the dressing over the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step 5: Toss and Chill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Toss everything gently until the peas and other ingredients are evenly coated with dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step 6: Serve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Stir the bacon pea salad before serving, as the dressing may have settled. Garnish with additional crumbled bacon or a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired. Serve cold or at cool room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      Is This Recipe Healthy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      This bacon pea salad can absolutely fit into a balanced diet<\/strong> when enjoyed in moderation. It offers a mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, making it more satisfying than many traditional side dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Peas<\/strong>\u00a0provide fiber and plant-based protein<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Bacon and cheese<\/strong>\u00a0add protein and richness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • The creamy dressing adds flavor but should be portion-controlled<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        If you\u2019re focused on weight loss or healthy eating<\/strong>, consider smaller portions or pairing it with lean proteins and fresh vegetables. It also works well as part of a meal prep plan<\/strong> for busy weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        Calories & Nutrition:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Estimated per serving (based on 6 servings):<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Calories: ~320\u2013360<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Protein: 10\u201312g<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Carbohydrates: 18\u201322g<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Fat: 22\u201326g<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          This makes it a moderate high-protein side dish<\/strong> with satisfying fats that help keep you full longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          Tips for Best Results:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Dry peas thoroughly to avoid a watery salad<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Use\u00a0freshly cooked crispy bacon<\/strong>\u00a0for the best texture<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Chill for at least 1 hour\u2014flavor improves significantly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Cut cheese into small, even cubes for better distribution<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Taste and adjust seasoning before serving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n\n\n\n

            Variations & Substitutions:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Add 1 cup of pasta for a\u00a0pea pasta salad<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Swap half the peas with corn for extra sweetness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Use turkey bacon for a lighter version<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Add fresh dill or mint for a bright flavor twist<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Substitute cheddar with feta or goat cheese for tanginess<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Make it dairy-free with vegan mayo and no cheese<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n


              [adinserter block=”6″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Engaging Introduction: There\u2019s always that one dish at a potluck that disappears before you even get a second scoop\u2014and more…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3547,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[43,239,94,45,240,47,241,242],"class_list":["post-3545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recipes","tag-cooker","tag-dump","tag-ingredients","tag-pork","tag-simple","tag-slow","tag-tenderloin","tag-whole"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/recipes.bollyent.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}