Traditional Seven Layer Salad

Looking for a make-ahead salad or side dish for the holidays or a party? This traditional Seven 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!

Now, you might gasp at the next statement. I never knew how to make a 7 layer salad recipe before the moment I made it for you! Feel special, ok? I do things just for you!

Typically my cousin or my Mom bring it to every holiday and I bring something else. For some reason I let them get away with that because I thought it looked a little bit tedious. What on earth was I thinking? So easy! And it looks so pretty!

If you want to feel really fancy layer it in a trifle bowl!

This recipe is super adaptable and easy. You can really adjust to it to your taste preferences. Add more, cut out ingredients, add different ones, really anything goes!

Ingredients Needed for Seven Layer Salad

• Iceberg lettuce (Layer 1)
• Frozen peas cooked (Layer 2)
• Onion (Layer 3)
• Celery (Layer 4)
• Bacon crumbles (Layer 5)
• Hard boiled eggs (Layer 6)
• Cheddar cheese (Layer 7)
• Mayonnaise & White sugar (Dressing)

How to Make Seven Layer Salad

• 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.
• Dressing – Next it’s time to top with a layer of mayonnaise and then sprinkle on the sugar.
• 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.

This the perfect side dish or salad for your next holiday gathering, pot-luck or just because!

I love that you can make it the night before so there’s less to do the day of your party.

I assure you that everyone will love it and this Traditional Seven Layer Salad will become your new “go to” side dish!

Tips for Making Traditional Seven Layer Salad

• In a pinch? By the packaged hard boiled eggs at the grocery store!
• I used these bacon crumbles instead of frying my own bacon. This is a big bag and I love having them in the fridge for throwing in recipes! I order them on Boxed.com.
• Mix things up by adding your favorite vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower etc.
• Get really crazing and add some ranch seasoning mix with the mayonnaise for a fun ranch twist!
• Make sure this sits for at least 4-6 hours or overnight before you serve it for that sugar to not be “crunchy” when you eat it. It will get soaked up into the mayonnaise layer and provide just the right amount of sweetness.

What main dish goes well with 7 Layer Salad?

• 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
• Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
• Greek Salad

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Traditional Seven Layer Salad Recipe

Julie Evink

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

4.8 from 34 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Refrigeration Time 6 hrs

Total Time 6 hrs 20 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 399 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 c. chopped iceberg lettuce
• 16 oz package frozen peas cooked drained and cooled
• 1/4 c. chopped onion
• 1 c. chopped celery
• 1 c. bacon crumbles
• 6 hard boiled eggs chopped
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp white sugar
• 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

 

• Spread chopped lettuce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch glass dish or trifle bowl. 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.

Notes

• In a pinch? By the packaged hard boiled eggs at the grocery store!
• I used these bacon crumbles instead of frying my own bacon. This is a big bag and I love having them in the fridge for throwing in recipes! I order them on Boxed.com.
• Mix things up by adding your favorite vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower etc.
• Get really crazing and add some ranch seasoning mix with the mayonnaise for a fun ranch twist!
• Make sure this sits for at least 4-6 hours or overnight before you serve it for that sugar to not be "crunchy" when you eat it. It will get soaked up into the mayonnaise layer and provide just the right amount of sweetness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 17gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 642mgPotassium: 416mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1120IUVitamin C: 18.3mgCalcium: 191mgIron: 1.6mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!