7 Layer Salad

Looking for a make-ahead salad or side dish for the holidays or a party? This traditional 7 Layer Salad is what you need. With layers of chopped lettuce, peas, celery, onions, bacon, cheese and a dressing this is always a favorite recipe!

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Is it just my family or do you have “staple” recipes at every holiday? I can assure this Seven Layer Salad recipe is one of those! Layers of chopped lettuce, peas, onion, celery, bacon, hard boiled eggs topped with mayonnaise and sugar.

Yes, I know. That mayonnaise and sugar layer kind of throws you for a loop but just trust me on this one. It’s amazing!

If you want to feel really fancy layer it in a trifle bowl otherwise a 9×13 inch glass casserole pan works great.

This 7 Layer Salad is the perfect side dish or salad for your next holiday gathering, pot-luck or just because! I assure you that everyone will love it and this salad will become your new “go to” side dish!

Why You’ll This Seven Layer Salad Recipe!

• Super easy to feed to a crowd with layers of flavor!
• It is best enjoyed when it’s made ahead of time to let the flavors meld together. Perfect for when hosting a party so you have less to do on party day!
• So many different options for layers so you can make it your own with your favorite ingredients!

Ingredients for 7 Layer Salad

• Iceberg lettuce – If you prefer romaine lettuce, spring mix or crispy head lettuce that can be used too. Traditionally the iceberg lettuce is called for in most recipes. Make sure the lettuce is dry before adding it to the salad so it doesn’t get soggy.
• Frozen peas – These will have better flavor and texture than canned peas. 
• Onion – Use chopped yellow onion, red onion or even green onion.
• Celery – Adds a little crunch!
• Bacon – Skip the grease splatter and make your bacon in the oven. Make sure it’s nice and crispy.
• Hard boiled eggs – These are super easy to make on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot. In a real pinch you can buy them at the grocery store!
• Cheddar cheese – For extra flavor use a sharp cheddar, but mild cheddar will taste great too!
• Mayonnaise – If you prefer Miracle Whip this can be substituted, but it will be sweeter.
• White sugar – The perfect addition for just the right amount of sweetness in this salad. 

Healthy Substitution Idea!

A quick and easy substitute for the mayonnaise in this recipe is using low fat Greek yogurt.

We recommend swapping half of the Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and not all of it, but feel free to do what you like.

How to Make 7 Layer Salad

1. Layers – Grab your 9 x 13 inch glass dish or trifle bowl and start assembling the layers. Start with a layer of chopped lettuce then top with peas, onion, celery, bacon and eggs.
2. Dressing – Next it’s time to top with a layer of mayonnaise and then sprinkle on the sugar.
3. Finish – The last layer is shredded cheese. After that place the cover on the glass dish or seal with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator at least 6 hours or overnight for the sugar to meld with the mayonnaise.

Switch Up The Layers!

This 7 Layer Salad can be made so many ways here is a list of other ingredients that can be used in the layers if you’d prefer this ingredients or it’s just a great way to switch it up!

• Parmesan Cheese – Sprinkle this in with the Mayonnaise for a delicious taste.
• Meat – Diced ham or turkey would be a great addition to add.
• Cauliflower – Small florets would add a great crunch.
• Tomatoes – Slice sweet cherry tomatoes in half, dice Roma tomatoes or use fresh garden tomatoes for another layer.
• Red Bell Pepper – Seeded and sliced thinly or you can even dice it up.
• Spinach – Add a layer of spinach on top of the lettuce to add more greens to your salad!
• Sour Cream – In some variations they use half mayo and half sour cream for a tangier dressing.
• Ranch Seasoning – Sprinkle some ranch in with the Mayo to change the dressing flavor profile.

What People Are Saying About This Recipe

How far ahead of time can I make this salad?

We recommend making this at least 4-6 hours before you serve it so the flavors can meld together, but you can make it up to 24 hours in advance.

How long do leftovers last?

This is best served and enjoyed in one day because when the dressing mixes with the lettuce it will start to get soggy. It will be safe to eat for up to three days after you make it though. Add some fresh lettuce and enjoy for up to three days.

Do I toss the salad together before serving?

It’s really up to you! If you do this everything is mixed together and coated with the yummy dressing, but if you don’t everyone will get dressing in their scoop of salad.

Servings Suggestions

• We love serving this Pineapple Ham for the holidays with our famous salad. Another grate ham option is a honey baked ham.
• I would also recommend these Mini Meatloaves or Sweet and Sour Meatballs as a main dish.

More Of My Favorite Side Salads!

• Bean Salad is loaded with five different types of beans, corn and a delicious dressing as the final touch.
• Cold Pesto Pasta Salad is perfect for backyard parties during the summer! Full of flavor with white kidney beans, homemade pesto, pine nuts and Italian Salad Dressing!
• Keep it light healthy with a Greek Salad! Don’t worry it’s still bursting with flavor from a homemade dressing.
• Chef Salad is loaded with veggies, deli meat, hard-boiled eggs and topped with dressing. It’s a great salad for sharing!
• Ambrosia Salad is the perfect side dish, also known as 5-Cup Salad.
• Nothing like a classic Tuna Pasta Salad to beat the heat in the summer!
• Buffalo Chicken Jar Salad – Easy, Light and Healthy Lunch Full of Flavor!
• Refreshing, classic Creamy Cucumber Salad is a summertime favorite at any picnic, party or potluck! 

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

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4.97 from 226 votes

Seven Layer Salad

Perfect Make Ahead Salad or Side Dish for Holidays and Potlucks. This 7 Layer Salad Recipe has Chopped Lettuce, Peas, Celery, Onions, Bacon, and Cheese!

Prep:20 minutes mins

Refrigeration Time:6 hours hrs

Total:6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
• ▢ 16 ounces frozen peas thawed
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped onion
• ▢ 1 cup chopped celery
• ▢ 1 cup bacon crumbles
• ▢ 6 hard boiled eggs chopped
• ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons white sugar
• ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

• Spread chopped lettuce in the bottom of a trifle bowl or 9 x 13 inch glass dish. Top with peas, onion, celery, bacon and eggs. 
• Spread mayonnaise over the top of vegetables. Sprinkle with sugar. Spread cheddar cheese over the top.
• Place cover on glass dish or seal with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator overnight. 
• Toss before serving if desired.

Tips

How far ahead of time can I make this salad?
We recommend making this at least 4-6 hours before you serve it so the flavors can meld together, but you can make it up to 24 hours in advance.

How long do leftovers last?
This is best served and enjoyed in one day because when the dressing mixes with the lettuce it will start to get soggy. It will be safe to eat for up to three days after you make it though. Add some fresh lettuce and enjoy for up to three days.

Do I toss the salad together before serving?
It’s really up to you! If you do this everything is mixed together and coated with the yummy dressing, but if you don’t everyone will get dressing in their scoop of salad.

SWITCH UP THE LAYERS!

Parmesan Cheese – Sprinkle this in with the Mayonnaise for a delicious taste.

Meat – Diced ham or turkey would be a great addition to add.

Cauliflower – Small florets would add a great crunch.

Tomatoes – Slice sweet cherry tomatoes in half, dice Roma tomatoes or use fresh garden tomatoes for another layer.

Red Bell Pepper – Seeded and sliced thinly or you can even dice it up.

Spinach – Add a layer of spinach on top of the lettuce to add more greens to your salad!

Sour Cream – In some variations they use half mayo and half sour cream for a tangier dressing.

Ranch Seasoning – Sprinkle some ranch in with the Mayo to change the dressing flavor profile.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1portion, Calories: 399kcal (20%), Carbohydrates: 11g (4%), Protein: 17g (34%), Fat: 31g (48%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Cholesterol: 141mg (47%), Sodium: 642mg (28%), Potassium: 416mg (12%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 7g (8%), Vitamin A: 1120IU (22%), Vitamin C: 18.3mg (22%), Calcium: 191mg (19%), Iron: 1.6mg (9%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.