This traditional seven-layer salad is perfect for potlucks, parties, or family dinners. The layers of lettuce, tomatoes, peas, hard-boiled eggs, cheddar cheese, homemade dressing, and bacon make this salad epic.
Traditional Seven Layer Salad Recipe
This classic seven-layer salad is one of my favorite side dishes to bring to events. It always gets amazing feedback and looks great on the table.
The layers of basic salad ingredients look amazing when layered in the trifle bowl.
One thing to know is this recipe makes a lot of salad! I would say at least 8-10 people could enjoy this salad recipe if not more. It depends on if it is the main attraction for a meal or a side dish.
You can make additional seven-layer salad dressing and serve it on the side if you know the people you are serving like a saucy salad.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic 7 Layer Salad! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Frozen Peas
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Bacon
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- Sugar
- Salt and Pepper
Optional - You can add additional layers by adding in red onions, red bell peppers, green onions, cauliflower, celery, turkey, olives, romaine lettuce, chicken, blue cheese, or parmesan cheese
Hard Boiled Eggs - We make quick and easy air fryer hard-boiled eggs for this recipe.
Cherry Tomatoes - You can use any tomato that you enjoy in this recipe. We like the look of the cherry/grape tomatoes in this make ahead 7 layer salad.
Bacon - You can change it up and use diced ham or even hamburger if you want a different flavor.
Cheese - Feel free to use any cheese that you enjoy.
Equipment Needed
- Trifle Bowl/Serving Bowl: I like to serve this 7-layer salad in a trifle dish so you can easily see the layers, and it looks fantastic on the table.
- Knife/Cutting Board: You will need a knife and cutting board to chop the lettuce and slice the tomatoes.
- Plastic Wrap: You’ll need cling wrap to cover the salad in the refrigerator.
- Glass Bowls - These work great for serving guests
How to Make 7 Layer Salad
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Chop lettuce and add it to the trifle serving bowl.
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar in a bowl until mixed.
- Add tomatoes, frozen peas, hard-boiled eggs, and shredded cheese into the trifle bowl, making sure to layer up the side. Smooth each layer before adding another to ensure a clean look and visible layers.
- Spread dressing evenly over the salad to the edge of the bowl.
- Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Top with chopped bacon right before serving.
Preparation and Storage
Make-Ahead: This layered salad recipe is easy if you prep your ingredients, including the veggies and the dressing, beforehand! Once you have the components ready to go, it’s as easy as layering, which we do in this order, from bottom to top:
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Green Peas
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Shredded Cheese
- Creamy Dressing (Mayo, Sour Cream, White Sugar)
- Bacon
Storage: Cover the serving dish with plastic before refrigerating, and enjoy this salad within two days for the best crispness with the vegetables.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions:
- Optional: Create additional layers or replace existing ones by adding red onions, red bell peppers, green onions, cauliflower, celery, turkey, black olives, avocado, romaine lettuce, chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, feta cheese, blue cheese, or parmesan cheese.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: We make quick and easy air fryer hard-boiled eggs for this recipe.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Use any bite-sized tomato you enjoy in this layered salad recipe! We like the look of the cherry/grape tomatoes in this make-ahead 7-layer salad.
- Cheese: Feel free to use any cheese that you enjoy!
- Bacon: You can change it up and use diced ham or hamburger if you want a different flavor.
- Sour Cream: Feel free to replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier layered salad.
Vegetarian Option: This seven-layer salad recipe is vegetarian if you swap the bacon with a meat-free alternative!
Vegan Option: In addition to the guidance for vegetarians, vegans should use plant-based hard-boiled eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
Gluten-Free: The ingredients in this layered salad, including the homemade dressing, are all naturally gluten-free.
Smaller Serving Size: This traditional 7-layer salad is for groups, as the written recipe makes ten servings. Make a seven-layer salad for one by scaling the ingredients down and layering them in a mason jar.
Make It Spicy: There are many fun ways to spice up this classic layered salad! Add hot sauce or your favorite spicy seasoning to the dressing, or add a layer with chopped jalapeños for a Tex-Mex take.
Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 6 grams of sugar per serving. Use a sugar-free alternative to white sugar to make it sugar-free.
Tips for the Best 7-Layer Salad
- You can easily change the order based on your preference. However, you want to keep the lettuce on the bottom so the other layers seal it, which keeps air from making contact with it and turning it brown.
- I like to mound the lettuce into a cone shape to make the tomatoes layer easily.
- We top the salad with bacon right before serving.
- You can make an extra helping of seven-layer salad dressing to serve on the side if you know the people you serve like a saucy salad.
What to Serve with Seven-Layer Salad
This colorful, traditional 7-layer salad comes together quickly for groups and proves that we eat with our eyes as much as our taste buds. Pair this fresh side dish with other potluck favorites for an all-American lunch or dinner shared with friends and family. Here are some menu planning suggestions.
Sides: Broccoli Casserole, Apple Stuffing, Funeral Potatoes, BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Air Fryer Baked Potato, Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream, Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Yams, Southern Style Green Beans, CrockPot Bourbon Baked Beans
Main Dishes: Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, Stovetop Meatloaf, Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers, CrockPot Rosemary Pork, Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings, CrockPot Macaroni & Cheese with Ham, CrockPot Salisbury Steak, CrockPot Ham & Cheese Grits
Desserts: Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake, Lemon Bars, Lemon Icebox Pie, Best Rice Krispie Treats, Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler, Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding, Bisquick Apple Cobbler, Bisquick Peach Cobbler, Molasses Cookies, Banana Bread, Classic Chocolate Brownies
Drinks: Coke Slushie, Red Robin Freckled Lemonade, CopyCat McDonald's Sweet Tea
When to Serve
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Potlucks
- Family and Friend Gatherings
- Cookout Side Dish
Great Salad Recipes
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Traditional Seven Layer Salad
Ingredients
- ½ head iceberg lettuce
- 1.5 cups frozen peas
- 4-5 Hard Boiled Eggs
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 6-8 Bacon
- 1.5 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 2 Tablespoon White Sugar
Instructions
- Chop lettuce and add it to the trifle serving bowl.
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar in a bowl until mixed together.
- Add tomatoes, frozen peas, hard boiled eggs, shredded cheese into the trifle bowl making sure to layer up the side.
- Spread dressing evenly over the salad to the edge of the bowl.
- Cover trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Top with chopped bacon right before serving.
Kitchen Tools
- trifle dish
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