This recipe is prepped up to 24 hours ahead, making it the perfect potluck recipe.
Seven layer salad has crisp lettuce and fresh flavorful toppings under a under a simple 4-ingredient dressing.
Everyone raves about this salad; I can’t wait for you to try it!
7 Layer Salad is A Favorite Side Dish Because…
- Seven layer salad is pretty, easy, and goes with everything!
- Why stop at 7 layers? Mix and match more toppings for fresh and crispy goodness in every bite.
- Assemble ahead and garnish just before serving, perfect for potlucks, the holidays, or as a make-and-take side dish.
What are the Seven Layers?
- Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce has high water content so it stays nice and crunchy—it’s the perfect base for this recipe.
- Veggies: Tomatoes add juicy freshness, frozen peas add a pop of sweetness, and green onions add flavor.
- Bacon: Crispy, crumbled bacon adds a salty, smoky flavor. You can either bake your own or use bacon bits.
- Quick Tip: If using bacon bits, cook them in a skillet or the microwave to add a little more crisp
- Egg: I love hard boiled eggs in this recipe; I find the air fryer is the easiest way to cook them!
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese has a bold flavor that stands up to the other ingredients.
Dressing for 7-Layer Salad
While it sounds simple, this dressing is creamy and delicious. It’s made with staple ingredients you likely have on hand.
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, and sugar according to the recipe below. This is spread over the salad, keeping it fresh.
Variations
- Lettuce: Use other varieties of sturdy crisp lettuce like romaine, kale, or even add in shredded Brussels sprouts.
- Veggies: Try chopped celery, sliced radishes, diced bell peppers.
- Cheese: Use your favorites like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, blue cheese crumbles, or feta cheese.
- Dressing: I have included our favorite ranch style dressing in the notes if you’d like to change it up.
How to Make 7 Layer Salad
- Whisk dressing ingredients together according to the recipe below.
- Add the lettuce to the bottom of a clear bowl. Top lettuce with tomatoes, peas, onions, and eggs.
- Spread dressing overtop and cover with plastic wrap.
- Top with cheese and bacon before serving.
Serving Tip
I love how this salad looks in a clear bowl or trifle dish. For easier serving, it can also be spread into a 9×13-inch glass baking dish.
Storing Seven-Layer Salad
If storing leftover 7-layer salad, leave the dressing on top to keep the lettuce more crisp. You may need to drain any liquid that accumulated in the bottom. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Did you make this 7 Layer Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below.
7 Layer Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes or sliced cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups frozen peas thawed
- ½ cup sliced green onions or diced red onion
- 8 hard boiled eggs cooled, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese lightly packed
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and seasoned salt for the dressing. Set aside.
- Wash and dry the lettuce very well. Place lettuce in the bottom of a large trifle bowl (or 9×13 pan).
- In order, top with tomatoes, peas, green onions, and boiled eggs. Spread the dressing on top right to the edges.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Top with cheese and bacon before serving.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to substitute other vegetables for the layers. Options include bell peppers, corn, sliced celery, mushrooms, or radishes, sundried tomatoes or shredded carrots, cabbage, zucchini, or brussels sprouts!
- To make ahead, assemble all the layers except cheese and bacon, cover, and chill. Just before serving, layer cheese and bacon on top.
1 cup mayonnaise
¾ cup sour cream
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
salt & pepper to taste
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad, Side Dish
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Would you have any flavour suggestions for replacing the bacon? We have a couple of vegetarians (not vegan, so cheese is fine). Thank you
You can leave the bacon out (or put it on the side for those that would like to add it). You could also try adding chopped smoked almonds before serving. As an alternative, many stores sell vegan/vegetarian bacon options but I haven’t tried them and would tend to leave it out instead—the salad has so many other flavors and textures I think it’ll be great without.
I’ve made this for many years and my family loves it. add a little here and there to make it your own.
Would love to see recipes for 1
Thank you for the feedback Rita. If you click the print button, you can reduce the servings on many recipes (although all of them may not work to reduce for 1).
How long will leftovers last in the fridge?
If storing leftover 7-layer salad, leave the dressing on top to keep the lettuce more crisp. You may need to drain any liquid that accumulated in the bottom. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also find this info in the post!
Wonderful!!
Great
Holly,
I made your seven layer salad and it turned out perfect, and tasted yummy I follow you on Pinterest and I just love your recipes.
Thank you
This 7 layer recipe looks delightful however I am allergic to mayo so what other dressing could I add?
Hi Linda, you could use any creamy dressing that you prefer for this recipe. It will change the flavor but would still be delicious!
Delicious….
Love this salad. I added sliced water chestnuts for some crunch. So many possibilities…
Can I possibly put this together tonight? The dinner I’m hosting will be 27 hours from tonight.
Yes, this salad is great prepared overnight.
My family has been making this recipe for years. We had been making it differently so I decided to try Holly’s version. I made it as a side to our family Easter meal. I’ve never made it with hard boiled eggs or made a dressing. We always used just mayonnaise. I will definitely be making this again, this way. It was delicious and the addition of the eggs, sugar and seasoned salt was perfect. I love Holly’s recipes and am so glad to have found these.
So glad you enjoyed it, Pam!
I accidentally layered the bacon and cheese then spread the mayo mixture over it. I could have sworn that is how I used to make it tears ago, and the flavor of the bacon seeped down and made it even more tasty. it is in the fridge. to late for me to remove the bacon and cheese. I hope it comes out ok…
I am sure it will still taste delicious, Donna. Enjoy!