7 Layer Salad
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!

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
- 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.
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
“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.”

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!
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!

Seven Layer Salad
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
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.
Shirl says
Best salad with lots of flavour
Courtney says
So great to hear you enjoyed this recipe. It’s definitely a potluck favorite!
TAMARA says
Absolutely delicious
Diane says
I just made it. Taking to my aunts she lost her oldest son. I wanted to do it becaue the salad looks so great. But I assume that everyone would use their own dressing?
Sue says
How many servings does this make? I want to bring to a cookout.
Julie Evink says
It will serve about 12 people. You can find the servings in the recipe card for each recipe!
Judy says
Making this fit a family event this next weekend, want to try the sour cream/Mayo variation adding ranch dressing mix. Would I still use the sugar?
Julie Evink says
Yes I would still add the sugar.
Linda Ferland says
I use romaine & a sugar substitute like Now Xylitol Plus; but, the dish is great!
Julie Evink says
Glad you enjoyed it Linda and could make it work for you!
Sheryl says
Me too!
Shelby N. says
So good! I’ll be honest it looked like a lot of sugar and I was worried lol but it was great! Big hit at my family Thanksgiving gathering! Will definitely make again and will have to try some of the variations.
Julie Evink says
So glad it was a hit Shelby! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Laurie says
Instead of the peas, i put in thawed edamame. Trying to do Keto, so only put in 1-1/2 tbs of sugar. This is such a great recipe!
Julie Evink says
So glad you could make it work for you Laurie!
Becky says
Does this have to be made in a glass dish?
Julie Evink says
No!
Mary Alice Sampson says
I have discovered that if you only mix together the amount you think will be used, the lettuce doesn’t touch the topping and have a chance to wilt. will last easier for 4 or 5 days. With just my husband and I eating on it I make about 1/2 the amount in an 8 x 8 dish
Michelle Sperr says
Great idea Mary Alice – thank you for your tip to keep it fresh for longer! Yum!
Carol says
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Julie says
Since you toss it before eating, it may get soggy in the fridge after it has been tossed. If that doesn’t bother you, I would still say only a day or two.
Judy says
Why does the dressing get,thinner and thinner and run like milk. It gets soggy!
Julie says
Hmmm, how long did it sit? It shouldn’t get to a milk-like consistency.
BeLinda says
I don’t thaw out the peas, I don’t add sugar, and I use green onions but basically the same old recipe that my Grandma Emma made when I was little.
Julie says
Perfect!
Diahn says
How many green onions should I use for seven layer salads
Julie says
I would do 1/4 cup chopped!
D. Morgan says
This is great. I like to mix the sugar with the mayo and add a heaping tablespoon of Parm cheese. It adds a lot of flavor.
Julie says
Thanks for sharing! I might have to try adding that next time!
AJ says
My old 70s recipe mixes heavy cream in with the mayo for spreadabity. Tastes delicious, then sprinkle the sugar over all. Yummy!
Julie says
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer says
Can you just mix the mayo and sugar together and then put over top rather than seperate?
Julie says
Yes, I think that would be fine.