With seven delicious salad ingredients plus an eighth layer of creamy homemade dressing, this easy seven layer salad recipe has something for everyone to love! Crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and hard boiled eggs add some protein to the fresh vegetables, and a parmesan dressing brings everything together perfectly. 7 Layer Salad is exactly the recipe you need for your next potluck! You might also like to bring another classic potluck dish such as Orange Pretzel Salad, or Funeral Potatoes.
Why You’ll Love This Salad Recipe
Ingredients In 7 Layer Salad
Here’s what you need to make this classic potluck salad: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Iceberg Lettuce: Wash and dry the lettuce and chop into easy-to-eat pieces. Cherry Tomatoes: slice the tomatoes in half. If you’re using larger tomatoes, chop them into bite-sized pieces. Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion tastes best if you soak it in cold water for 30 minutes before adding it to salads. The water helps to take away some of the onion’s bite. Frozen Peas: Let the peas thaw before adding them to the salad, and drain away any extra liquid. Hard Boiled Eggs: Cook 6 hard boiled eggs, then peel and cool them. Cut 2 or 3 of them into slices that can face the outside of the glass dish, and roughly chop the rest. Layer Salad Dressing: This is so easy! Mayonnaise, grated parmesan cheese, white sugar, and ground black pepper. Cheddar Cheese: I suggest that you buy your cheese in a block, and grate it yourself. It’s cheaper this way, and also much tastier. Bacon: You need about 8 slices of bacon, diced, and cooked until crispy. Turkey bacon can also be used. Optional: Sliced green onion (only the green parts) adds flavor and color to the top of the salad.
How To Make a Seven Layer Salad
These images show the order of the layers in a 7 layer salad. I suggest you keep them in this order to make the colors pop!
Recipe Tips
Skip low fat mayo. The flavor just isn’t as good, plus lower fat mayonnaise can be watery. Try a different cheese. Colby Jack is another option you can try. I suggest using an orange cheese for the visual impact. Prep everything first, then assemble the salad. I find it much easier to actually make the layered salad if I’ve already chopped, cooked, and prepared the ingredients. Add more layers! You don’t have to stop at seven. Add another layer of your favorite veggie, like chopped bell peppers, sliced cucumber, or baby spinach.
Storing Tips
Leftover 7 layer salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but it’s best if enjoyed as soon as possible. The veggies will get a bit wilted from the dressing as time passes.
What To Serve With 7 Layer Salad
Layered salads are a traditional potluck favorite, so try seven layer salad with some of these delicious casseroles to recreate that experience at home:
John Wayne CasserolePizza CasseroleBroccoli Chicken CasseroleSloppy Joe Casserole
Need an easy dessert recipe to bring to a potluck? Try an old-fashioned Mayonnaise Cake or easy Sopapilla Cheesecake. 7 Layer Salad is also a perfect side dish for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or your favorite summer holiday party! Now that you know how to make this classic seven layer salad recipe, you can whip it up whenever you’re asked to bring a dish to pass! Be sure to Pin the recipe to save it for next time. © Little Sunny Kitchen
