7 Layer Salad
Sharp cheddar cheese, creamy dressing, salty bacon and crisp vegetables make for the delicious & beautiful 7 Layer Salad. Delicious as a side or main, it goes well with soup and bread!
The Best 7 Layer Salad
Welcome to the delightfully tasty and surprisingly filling 7 Layer Salad!
This seven layer salad recipe boasts 7 beautiful layers topped with mouthwatering, easy homemade dressing that makes for a gorgeous, eye-catching centerpiece at any holiday gathering.
Let’s find out what the seven layers look like, and how they add to this salad’s overall greatness!
What Are the Ingredients in a Seven Layer Salad?
So, what’s in a 7-layer salad, anyway? You’ll find that the seven layer salad consists of 7 layers, including: 5 layers of veggies, 1 layer of dressing, and 1 layer of toppings. (And let’s face it, pizzazz!).
A typical seven layer salad includes bacon, mayo with sugar, lettuce, cheese, and peas, with the remaining vegetable ingredients being easily swapped according to preference.
What is a 7 Layer Salad?
A 7 Layer Salad is a salad that is made with 7 key ingredients that are typically layered in a transparent serving dish, such as a trifle dish.
The clear dish showcases every beautiful layer in the 7 Layer Salad, which includes a creamy homemade dressing to seal in the freshness of the veggies, then a topping of bacon, etc.
When serving, you can elect to keep the layers somewhat intact with dressing atop, or my preferred method: mixing the entire salad before serving.
How to Make a 7 Layer Salad
To make a 7 layer salad, you’ll first do a good bit of washing and chopping, then layering and topping. Easy, right? Let’s begin.
First, make sure you have a glass trifle bowl. Clean and set aside.
Wash and Chop
First, make sure to wash and chop all vegetables as needed. This way, you’ll be ready for each layer as we place them.
Prepare the 7 Layer Salad Dressing
Next, prepare the dressing. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, parmesan cheese, sugar, salt and pepper to a small bowl.
Whisk together until well mixed. Then, cover and refrigerate until needed.
Create the 7 Layers
Now, we’ll start placing each of the layers of this beautiful 7 Layer Salad.
Layer 1: Lettuce
Use shredded or chopped lettuce—about 1 head of lettuce worth for the first layer. You may need to add or subtract from that head depending on its size.
Layer 2: Tomatoes
For the second layer of the salad, we’ll use grape tomatoes that have been halved. These are juicy and delicious.
Layer 3: Red Onions
I’ve use about 1 onion’s worth of chopped onion to add a little crunch and crispness to the salad.
Layer 4: Cauliflower
For the fourth layer, you can use cauliflower or broccoli, but I find that cauliflower compliments the creamy dressing so well.
Layer 5: Peas
Simply thaw a bag of frozen peas for the fifth layer of vegetables. Make sure to pat the peas dry so the salad isn’t too soft or mushy.
Layer 6: Salad Dressing
Now, grab the homemade dressing you just made for this 7 layer salad. Spread the dressing into an even layer.
Layer 7: Toppings
The seventh layer includes a tangy layer of shredded cheddar cheese and bacon.
This is garnished with fresh dill and green onions for bright color.
Enjoy the tastiest and most gorgeous seven layer salad!
Q&A
Can you make 7 layer salad the night before?
Yes, you can, but I recommend keeping the dressing and toppings layers separate and adding only before serving for best results.
This salad is best served within 1 day of assembling.
How Long Does 7 Layer Salad Last in the Fridge?
The 7 Layer Salad lasts about 2-3 days in the fridge. However, serving the first day or two is best.
Can I change any of the ingredients in this salad recipe?
Yes, you can! In fact, I’d encourage it after trying this recipe as is. If you still want to make changes, feel free.
But this recipe is best as-is. I always encourage changes after you try the original. 😉
Tools You Need
- Glass Trifle Bowl with Acacia Lid
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Small Whisk
- Glass Mixing Bowls
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Do you love it?
This recipe was so fun to make! I hope you have as much fun as Erik and I did. Remember to take a pic of your creation and tag us @beamingbaker and #beamingbaker on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! ‘Til next time…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
Print7 Layer Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8–12 servings 1x
Description
Sharp cheddar cheese, creamy dressing, salty bacon and crisp vegetables make for the delicious & beautiful 7 Layer Salad. Delicious as a side or main, goes well with soup and bread!
Ingredients
Tools Needed
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1 head lettuce – rinsed, dried, and shredded or chopped
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion (about 1 onion), chopped
- 2 cups chopped vegetables of choice (cauliflower, artichoke hearts, celery, etc.) – I used cauliflower florets – some folks prefer hard boiled eggs instead for this layer.
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
Topping
- 8–10 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup ready to eat bacon of choice (I used vegan bacon)
- Fresh dill and green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Set aside a glass bowl such as this glass trifle bowl.
- Add Dressing ingredients to a medium bowl: mayonnaise, sour cream, parmesan cheese, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk until well mixed. Keep covered in refrigerator until needed.
- Layer each Salad ingredient in a single, even layer in the bowl: lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onion, vegetables of choice, and peas.
- Retrieve Dressing from the fridge. Spread evenly over the salad.
- Sprinkle Topping ingredients over the dressing: cheddar cheese, bacon, fresh dill and green onions.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator until chilled. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dishes, Salads, Dinner
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
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I just made this last week and it turned out perfect. The layers are so bright and flavorful. I can’t wait to make again
That’s awesome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. 😊
I loved this salad. There is so much going on in terms of both flavor and texture. Will definitely be making again!
Yes! It’s a great way to bring in a lot of wonderful flavors and textures to any meal.
I brought this salad to an early Friendsgiving party the other day, and everybody loved it.
Aww how sweet of you! Glad to hear it was a hit. 🙂
This 7 layer salad looks so presentable for a group dinner! Made it for some friends and they all loved it.
Woohoo! Glad it was able to impress your friends, Ali! 🙂
Every bite does indeed look amazing! All of the flavors are incredible. And I love these vibrant colors.
Yay! The colors might be my favorite part, too.