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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Love this! Just like my mom’s.
I love that when I go to print the recipe, I’m able to scale back for the number of people I’m serving. Love this recipe.
Perfect! This is the salad of my youth. Recipe is perfect and I only changed egg amount (6) because I needed them for something else lol
Thanks for a great recipe!
Made it twice already. Once at a Thanksgiving party and by popular demand a second time for a pre-Xmas party. Everyone loved it!
Yummy made this for friends it was loved by all
Question: Would having the recipe be suitable for 2 people?
I grew up having 7 Layer Salad whenever we’d go to any gathering my “aunt” would have. It was 1 of the things she always made and was my sisters favorite. I was pickier then but I love it now. My fiance and I are salad lovers and we adore the sadly & unjustly maligned iceberg salads. They’re not only delicious they are an amazing vehicle for a wide array of healthy veggies and of course pairs perfectly with bacon or cheese! Not to mention it holds up longer than any other lettuce. But I digress…
He has never had 7 Layer Salad and I’ve always thought it makes a great Easter addition. Unfortunately, most if not all 7 Layer Salad recipes are to feed a large crowd for parties or potlucks (it will only be 2 of us). Mind you we would love leftovers (if they will hold up and not get too soggy) but I just don’t need more than maybe 4 servings.
Hi Suzanne! This makes 12 servings so you would really have to scale it back for 2. It does make excellent leftovers though! So maybe I suggest trying to half the recipe. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Looks Delicious!
Healthy deliciously
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Sonis!
I love this salad, especially for church dinners.
THIS SALAD IS AWESOME! We love it We also loved your Dorito Taco Salad. My husband adored it. Thanks so much and I lovve your blog!
Thank you GrammaSue! I’m so glad you loved it!
I would like to try some of these recipes.
I’ve always seen (& made) this salad with the dressing on top, and the cheese under the dressing. It’s a terrific salad, and best presented in a Trifle dish.
Can you make this the day before?
Yes, this can sit overnight.
I made it using the same ingredients, but added a layer of sliced mushrooms and a layer of yellow bell pepper and it was great.
We’re having a busy weekend, full of family and fun. I offered to bring salads to two events. I made this one, yesterday, and it was such a hit, that my husband asked me to make it, again, today! This is going into my regular rotation!
I’m so glad you loved it Melissa!!
this is much easier in a 9 x 13
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you enjoy your New Red Plate and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
Your salad is delicious looking. I can see it at a big get-together or for our next barbecue.
Madonna
Looks good! I think I could just eat this for dinner! I will have to give it a try!
-Jennie
I’m hosting a linkup and would love for you to stop by!
This looks AMAZING, Holly! DELISH! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us this week!
Yum! This made me hungry. Thanks for sharing at Mz Helen’s Full Plate!