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Traditional Seven Layer Salad
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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!
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!
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Traditional Seven Layer Salad Recipe
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!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 20 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 399kcal
Ingredients
- 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: 1portion | Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 18.3mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 1.6mg
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LEAVE A COMMENT
I have made this type of salad for years. I mix the torn lettuce, red onion, shredded carrots, and peas in the bottom of a 13×9 Tupperware dish. On top of that I put a layer of chopped hard boiled eggs. I mix the mayo with the sugar and add a heaping tablespoon of parm cheese, then spread it on top of the eggs with a spatula. I sprinkle the top with shredded cheese and finish off with crumbled crisp bacon. The salad is delicious and the dressing is thoroughly mixed. Don’t use bacon bits.
Sounds like delicious way to mix it up!
Love this recipe, just rinse the peas in cool water and layer as you instructed. Thank you for posting. Thanksgiving salad made.
Oh the memories, my mom always loved this recipe.
I was the one to make and bring this for many of our family gatherings. The thing I did differently was to add sour cream to the mayo topping. Prefect ..
thanks for sharing, I wish I could once again make it for my mom .
Awww I’m glad it could give you a trip down memory lane, Dorothy!
WE don’t like peas. What would be a good substitute?
You could do broccoli or cauliflower or even shredded carrots in place of the peas!
I used to work at a rehab facility where we taught the girls different recipes and what not. That was the first time I’d ever had it and boy did I love when they fixed it! I was trying to think of something quick and delicious for a dinner at work and I came across this and it looks just like the recipe we used there! Except I prefer to fry my own bacon… the grease that drips off of it gives it a little something extra! I’m definitely fixing this next week! Yum!
Wonderful! I’m so glad you found the recipe!
Just wondering, wouldn’t the lettuce go brown?
It shouldn’t! We’ve been making this for years and have never had an issue with brown lettuce ?
I made your seven layer salad tonight for our potluck dinner at church tomorrow. I made a smaller size for my hubby and myself. He said it is the best. We didn’t even let it set over night. It is delicious. Thanks for sharing.
That’s awesome Alma! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
The nutrition information is for 1gram?
Is that correct?
No it’s for 1/12 of the recipe if you look at the top of the recipe card. Not sure why it shows 1 g under it.
One of my favorite salad.
It’s a classic but so good!
Do you use best foods mayonnaise or Miracle whip dressing?
Regular mayo, not miracle whip
I have made this Seven Layered Salad many times over the years. You are absolutely right, it is a family favorite and a staple at the holiday dinners. I have made it using canned Le Sueur peas on occasion and I have made it using the frozen peas, however I have never heard of cooking the frozen peas before adding them to the salad.
It’s my Mom’s recipe and I guess I just did as she told me! But you are right, the peas probably wouldn’t need to be cooked!
I don’t cook my peas for this salad! I rinse them in warm water and then dry them off
That’s a simple way to go about it!
Do you have to make this the night before?
You probably don’t have to do overnight, you could do a few hours if you were short on time. Refrigerating just helps to set all the layers. I did see one other comment that said they had it without refrigerating overnight, you could certainly try it!
I have made this many times and
the LeSeur peas are the best !
Perfect! I’m glad you love it!
I add the sugar plus some grated parmesan cheese to the mayo then spread on top of the layers.
Great twist on it!
Your recipe is identical to the one that my grandmother taught me to make, except instead of eggs, we used radishes. No holiday meal is complete without Mamaw’s seven layer salad. I’m feeling very nostalgic now. Thanks..
That’s awesome! I’ve never heard of using radishes!
Can u use miracal whip?Mary
If you prefer the taste of Miracle Whip, yes you can sub it out.
Love this salad. I don’t put celery in it. I put the bacon on top of the cheese so it stays crispy.
Ooooo great idea!
This recipe is actually an 8 layer salad
But I would leave out the onions.