7 Layer Salad with a ripe tomatoes, sweet peas, crispy bacon, and creamy dressing is a Sunday favorite in our house!
This seven layer salad recipe is simple to make and can be prepared a full day ahead. It’s perfect for an easy meal or to bring to your next potluck along with classic tuna casserole, and strawberry pie!
7 Layer Salad
7 Layer Salad
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7 Layer Salad Ingredients
- Lettuce – Any lettuce (or combination of lettuces) you like will work, but we’re partial to romaine.
- Tomatoes – Sweet cherry tomatoes, halved.
- Eggs – Hard boiled and chopped (here’s how we make classic hard boiled eggs, and here’s how we make hard boiled eggs in the instant pot).
- Peas – Frozen peas, thawed.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bacon – Cooked to crispy and crumbled (here’s how we cook bacon in the oven, and here’s how we cook bacon in the air fryer).
- Dressing – Mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar.
How do you make a seven layer salad? (step-by-step)
⭐ First, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar. Set aside.
⭐ Then, fill a large bowl about halfway with lettuce. Then layer the tomatoes, eggs, and peas, making sure to place some all the way to the edge.
⭐ Next, layer the cheese and then the bacon, leaving a little to use as a topping/garnish.
⭐ Finally, spread the mayo & sour cream mixture over the top, and then sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can you make a 7 layer salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
What kind of lettuce for seven layer salad?
We use romaine for our recipe, but any kind will work. Often times I’ve seen iceberg used and I like to use a spring mix on occasion.
What are the different layers?
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Egg
- Peas
- Cheese
- Bacon
- Dressing
Storage and leftovers
How long do the leftovers keep?
If the lettuce has gotten dressing on it, you’ll want to finish the leftovers within about 24 – 48 hours as the moisture will cause the lettuce to wilt and become unappetizing.
Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
How can I keep the salad longer?
If you want the salad to last more than a day or two in the refrigerator, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve, or have the dressing on the side for folks to add on their own.
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Try it with other dressings like chunky blue cheese dressing, homemade ranch dressing, or red wine vinaigrette.
✅ Add other veggies and salad favorites like bell pepper, celery, olives, or capers.
✅ Mix up your cheeses! Try Mexican blend cheese, parmesan, blue cheese crumbles, or even provolone.
What to eat with a seven layer salad (serving suggestions)
I love this as a soup, salad, sandwich combo for lunch get togethers. Grilled cheese, club sandwiches, and chicken sliders are all great options.
For soup try our chicken zoodle soup, dill pickle soup, or split pea soup.
More delicious salad recipes
- Salmon cranberry salad bowl
- Butternut squash salad
- Antipasto salad
- Shaved brussels sprouts salad
- See all our easy salad recipes!
Other awesome side dishes
- Air fryer potatoes
- Fried cabbage recipe
- Homemade creamed corn
- Sautéed vegetables
- See all our side dish ideas!
Tools we love
- Santoku knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced.
- Ceramic bowls– there is literally no such thing as too many bowls. I heart bowls. So much.
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How to Make a 7 Layer Salad
7 Layer Salad
Ingredients
DRESSING
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar white, granulated
SALAD
- 1 to 2 heads lettuce chopped (about 8 cups of lettuce)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 8 large eggs hard boiled & chopped
- 12 ounces frozen peas thawed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pound bacon cooked crispy & crumbled
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar. Set aside.
- In a large bowl add lettuce, then layer the tomatoes, eggs, and peas, making sure to place some all the way to the edge.
- Layer the cheese and then the bacon, leaving a little to use as a topping/garnish.
- Spread the dressing over the top, and then sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon.
Notes
Nutrition
7 Layer Salad
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Dana says
Love this classic potluck favorite! Definitely bookmarking this recipe to use many times over the summer!
Kristyn says
We make this salad all summer long! It’s delicious, hearty, & everyone’s favorite!!
Betsy says
I JUST made this for Easter! This was one of my MIL’s favorite dishes to make and since she passed away my FIL hasn’t had it. I made it for Easter JUST for him and he was so happy! He loved it and was so happy to take the leftovers home. The layers in this salad are so gorgeous in the clear glass trifle bowl and the flavors of each layer are so perfect together. Love this salad and loved being able to make it for my FIL this Easter!