Made with tender green peas, crunchy peanuts, chopped sweet pickles, and tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, it’s a unique blend of textures and flavors that somehow just works—especially when served chilled.

There’s something timeless about a bowl of Grandma’s Pea Salad—cool, creamy, and packed with personality.

With its canned green peas, a generous helping of sweet pickles, and the unexpected crunch of salted peanuts, this salad hits all the right notes of savory, sweet, and tangy.

It’s the kind of dish that’s passed down through generations, showing up at every summer gathering and holiday table with a familiar, comforting smile.

Table of Contents

How to Make Grandma’s Pea Salad

Start out by draining two cans of baby sweet peas. Grandma just used canned peas. I like to use baby sweet peas. They are perfect in this salad.

Chop one cup of roasted salted peanuts! They should be chopped small. We want them to blend with the Peas and not overpower them. I’m pretty sure these peanuts were the big “lure” for Grandma. She loved…L.O.V.E.D. nuts!

Peanuts crushed and chopped with knife for Pea Salad

Drain 1 small jar of sweet pickles. About 8–10 pickles. Chop finely.

TIP: Do NOT use sweet pickle relish! I know it’s tempting. But don’t do it. The juices in the relish don’t bode well for this salad. Thus, you need to get down to work and chop up those slick little sweet pickles.

Place chopped peanuts and pickles into a medium mixing bowl.

Chopped pickles and peanuts side by side in medium size bowl.

Place drained Peas in the mixing bowl on top of the peanuts and pickles. (Yes! I know how strange this recipe sounds…you’re just gonna have to trust me!)

Drained Peas Added to nuts and pickles in mixing bowl

Combining Ingredients

Using a rubber spatula, carefully mix the peas, pickles and nuts together, giving them a gentle toss. This will help when it’s time to add the dressing.

Gently mixing the peas, peanuts, and pickles

Salad Dressing Instructions

Time for true confessions… Grandma didn’t write down the exact measurements. When it came to the “dressing” for this salad, she just wrote “Add mayonnaise or salad dressing” (Miracle “Gag” Whip! This is the one thing Grandma and I didn’t see eye to eye on. I use Mayonnaise. She used Miracle Whip half the time. Don’t do that. Please. Petty, please! Mayo is much better in this recipe!)

I added 1 cup of mayonnaise, which was plenty. If you think it is too dry…add more. Salt and Pepper to taste! Remember that the peanuts are salty, the peas have been in a salt liquid, and the pickles are salty. So be sure to taste BEFORE you salt!

Gently fold in the mayonnaise, being careful not to crush the peas!

Chilling and Serving Salad

Once all the ingredients are combined, cover and chill 4 hours or overnight! As the salad chills, the flavors of the sweet pickles blend with the mayonnaise and create a wonderful base for this salad.

I know this salad is super easy, and you might be thinking “Can just those four ingredients really create a delicious unique salad?” My response… “Cheese and corn chips equals Nachos!” Sometimes simple ingredients create the most delicious recipes!

Pea Salad ingredients all combined and mixed together.

Serve Grandma’s Pea Salad with Peanuts right out of the refrigerator. Give it a little stir beforehand and you’re good to go. You can garnish with a few extra crushed peanuts like I did and a sprinkle of Paprika! Just to spruce it up a bit.

Grandma's Pea Salad with Peanuts in a serving bowl

Recipe Wrap-Up

It’s creamy and crunchy all in one thanks to the Pea and peanut combination! This recipe is going to surprise you! It always takes everyone by surprise.

Now, if you’re not a fan of Pea’s, I wouldn’t expect you to like this salad. If you like peas, then I’d expect you to love this salad, and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it became a regular at your family gatherings, like it did at ours.

I think Grandma would be tickled that I shared her recipe here with all of you today! Grandma truly believed that good food and family went hand in hand together.

Cooking was a way to demonstrate to those you loved just how much they meant to you! (Even if it meant wheat germ in your pancakes!)

Grandma's Pea Salad on a special hand towel.

I believe the same thing. Food made with love is one of the greatest gifts we can give to family and friends.

Other Family Favorite Salad Recipes

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a great week and come back soon!

Happy Nesting!

Printable Recipe

Grandma’s Pea Salad with Peanuts

Tender young canned baby sweet peas are combined with crushed roasted peanuts, sweet pickles and dressing to create a unique and delicious Retro Pea Salad.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 334 kcal

Ingredients

2 cans sweet peas drained
1 small jar sweet pickles about 10 pickles. Drained and chopped.
1 cup roasted salted peanuts finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
Salt and Pepper to taste
Additional chopped nuts and paprika for garnish

Instructions

In a large bowl combine drained peas, chopped peanuts and chopped pickles.
Add 1 cup mayonnaise and stir gently until all ingredients are mixed. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill 4 hours or overnight.
Stir right before serving and garnish with additional chopped nuts and Paprika.

Nutrition

Serving: 3/4 cupCalories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 5gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 781mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About the Author

Meet The Author

Photo Credit: Jenelle Lacy Photography

Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!