Last Updated April 21st, 2022 at 04:31 pm by Lisa
Seven-Layer Salad also known as an overnight salad or "7 Layer Salad", is a colorful party food recipe that serves large groups for picnics, potlucks, cookouts, or as a BBQ side.
Put this easy salad recipe together up to a day ahead, and have it ready to go to your party chilling in your fridge overnight complete with the dressing on top.
This version has classic ingredients, but you can use what you love. I listed lots of ideas to inspire you, and probably some are already in your fridge. You can toss it together at the party, or just let people dig right in...
How To Make a 7 Layer Salad
You Will Need...
Other Ingredient Ideas
Here are ways to mix it up, and inspire you to create your own custom layers...
Lettuce: besides romaine and iceberg, people love fresh spinach, baby spring mix, or butter lettuce.
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Meats: diced chicken or turkey, sliced salami or pepperoni, shredded rotisserie chicken, or sliced ham.
Cheeses: white cheddar, pepper jack cheese, or Colby cheese would all be delicious. You can shred or cut small cubes of cheese.
Veggies: grilled, fresh or sauteed corn, sugar snap peas, broccoli, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, red onion, shredded carrots, cucumbers, bell pepper, avocados, or green or black olives.
Dressings: Green Goddess, Ranch Dressing, or a Lemon Vinaigrette.
PRO TIP: When using other dressings besides the one in this recipe (that is VERY thick), don't add these to the salads until right before serving or the salad will wilt down and be watery.
Garnishes: You can decorate the top of the salad and sprinkle more cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped eggs, or fresh herbs like chives and dill.
Absolutely! That is why this recipe is so beloved across America. The thick dressing stays on top, and seals in the crisp salad layers until serving time.
lettuce
hard-boiled eggs
crumbled bacon
grated cheese
green onions
green peas
However, there are endless variations and options. Many recipes have all kinds of subs and alternatives, but the ultimate sign of a classic layered salad is THE 3 INGREDIENT DRESSING!
Easy 7 Layer Salad Dressing
With 3 simple ingredients; sour cream, mayonnaise, and sugar, this creamy dressing goes so well on the bright-colored crisp salad...
How To Make Seven Layered Salad
Mix the classic seven-layer dressing
Stir ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
Prep Ingredients
Cook the bacon until crispy, and crumble.
Chop the tomatoes, green onions, and grate the cheddar cheese.
Boil the eggs. Try my steam boiled method for perfect eggs every time!
LAYER 1: Finely chop the lettuce and place it in the bottom of the bowl.
TIP: Use extra ingredients toward the outside edge of the glass trifle bowl which makes it pretty!
LAYER 2: Slice 2 or 3 eggs into long quarters and position facing out of the bowl, then finely chop the rest of the eggs and sprinkle on the lettuce.
TIP: Use a large spoon to gently press down the layer to keep it flat, this helps you build the pretty layers!
LAYER 3: Place the crumbled bacon on next, and smooth gently with the large spoon.
LAYER 4: Sprinkle on the green onions, and spread them around using the spoon to smooth out that layer.
LAYER 5: Now, place the tomatoes on and adjust and smooth them out using a large spoon.
LAYER 6: Sprinkle on the grated cheddar cheese, and be generous! Everyone loves the cheese.
LAYER 7: Now the frozen petite peas go on, try to make the layer even, and smooth with your large spoon.
Dressing Layer
- Use a small spatula, offset spatula, or bread knife to spread the dressing on top, and take it to the edge of the glass bowl. This helps to keep the ingredients chilled and the dressing won't drip down, it is thick enough to stay on top until the next day.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Serve within 24 hours. Garnish with more bacon, cheese, green onions, or egg if you wish. Toss and serve, or let people dig right in!
Top Seven Layer Tips
- Chop the ingredients fairly the same size, to help them lay flat and get even layers.
- As you build the layers, use a large spoon to gently press each layer flat.
- Use more ingredients toward the edge of the glass bowl, that's the pretty part. It's ok if you don't have enough to completely cover the layer, just build the outside ring that people see.
- Precise measurements don't matter that much, I often swap out things I have on hand or try new combinations that sound good.
- The BEST part of this potluck wonder is that it really stays crunchy for up to 24 hours, just spread the dressing to the edge of the dish.
More Party Food and Cookout Side Dishes
Make some summer side dishes and BBQ sides like Macaroni Pasta Salad, Easy Pasta Salad, Cobb Salad, or Cowboy Baked Beans the recipe everyone will be talking about at your next party!
An easy classic side dish, Coleslaw with an EASY Mason jar dressing made in 15 minutes including slicing cabbage!
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7 Layer Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Salad Layers
- 2 cups iceberg and or romaine lettuce
- 6 eggs boiled and chopped
- 12 slices crumbled bacon
- 6 green onions
- 2 cups tomatoes (sliced grape or regular)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
Instructions
Prep
- Mix the dressing: ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the bacon until crispy. Boil the eggs. Chop the tomatoes, green onions, and grate the cheddar cheese.
- LAYER 1: Finely chop the lettuce and place it in the bottom of the bowl. PRO TIP: Use extra ingredients toward the outside edge of the glass bowl which makes it pretty!
- LAYER 2: Slice 2 or 3 eggs into long quarters and position facing out of the bowl, then finely chop the rest of the eggs and sprinkle on the lettuce. PRO TIP: Use a large spoon to gently press down the layer to keep it flat, this helps you build the pretty layers!
- LAYER 3: Place the crumbled bacon on next, and smooth gently with the large spoon.
- LAYER 4: Sprinkle on the green onions, and spread them around using the spoon to smooth out that layer.
- LAYER 5: Now, place the tomatoes on and adjust and smooth them out using a large spoon.
- LAYER 6: Sprinkle on the grated cheddar cheese, and be generous! Everyone loves the cheese.
- LAYER 7: Now the frozen petite peas go on, try to make the layer even, and smooth with your large spoon.
3 Ingredient Dressing Layer
- Use a small spatula, offset spatula, or bread knife to spread the dressing on top, and take it the edge of the glass bowl. This helps to keep the ingredients chilled and the dressing won't drip down, it is thick enough to stay on top until the next day.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge unti you are ready to serve. Garnish with more bacon, cheese, green onions, or egg if you wish. Toss and serve, or let people dig in!
Notes
Top Seven Layer Salad Tips
- Chop the ingredients fairly the same size, to help them lay flat and get even layers.
- As you build the layers, use a large spoon to gently press each layer flat.
- Use more ingredients toward the edge of the glass bowl, that's the pretty part. It's ok if you don't have enough to completely cover the layer, just build the outside ring that people see.
- Precise measurements don't matter that much, I often swap out things I have on hand or try new combinations that sound good.
- The BEST part of this potluck wonder is that it really stays crunchy for up to 24 hours, just spread the dressing to the edge of the dish.
This is such a great salad. I LOVE the dressing. Such a beautiful salad for parties! Thanks for another great recipe Lisa.
I absolutely loved this easy to make salad!!! So easy to make and simple ingredients. Perfect for our summer picnics!