Last Updated January 2nd, 2023 at 06:24 pm by Lisa
A 7 Layer Salad recipe is also called an overnight salad because it can hold without wilting overnight! Famous for its colorful charm, this great party food idea serves large groups for picnics, potlucks, cookouts, or as a BBQ side.
Put this easy salad together up to a day ahead. Have it ready to go chilling in your fridge overnight complete with the dressing on top. You can toss it together at the party, or just let people dig right into this gorgeous layered salad recipe...
How To Make Seven Layer Salad
This version has classic traditional seven layer salad ingredients, but you can use what you love. I listed lots of ideas to inspire you, and probably some are already in your fridge.
As this salad chills, the flavors and taste get better! It is a wonderful crunchy creamy mix with a bit of sweetness in the dressing, and saltiness from the bacon.
Salad Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Mix the dressing, stir ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
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Layered Salad
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce and or romaine lettuce
- 6 hard boiled eggs chopped
- 12 slices bacon crumbled
- 6 green onions
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (sliced grape tomatoes or regular)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
Top 7 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 the back of a spoon to gently press each layer flat.
- Use a pastry bench scraper to pick up chopped ingredients saving time.
- 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.
Prep The Salad Ingredients
Cook the bacon until crispy, and crumble.
Chop the tomatoes, and green onions, and grate the cheddar cheese.
Boil the eggs. Try my steam boiled method for perfect peel eggs every time! It is a total game-changer and saves time.
Assemble Your 7 Layer Salad
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 trifle bowl which makes it a pretty salad for parties.
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 the back of a spoon to gently press down the layer to keep it flat, this helps you build even layers.
LAYER 3: Place the crumbled bacon on next, and smooth gently with a 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 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 spoon.
The Top 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 and seal 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!
Other Ingredient Swaps and 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.
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. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese would be really good too.
Vegetables: grilled, fresh or sauteed corn, sugar snap peas, broccoli, celery, mushrooms, cauliflower, red onion, shredded carrots, cucumbers, red bell peppers, avocados, or green or black olives.
Dressings: Green Goddess, Ranch Dressing, or a Lemon Vinaigrette.
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.
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.
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. This special salad dressing is thick and doesn't drip down and wilt the salad.
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, that adds lots of creaminess without making the salad wilt!
More Party Food and Cookout Side Dishes
These summer side dishes and BBQ sides like Easy Pasta Salad, 7 Layer Salad, Watermelon Salad, Macaroni Pasta Salad, or Cowboy Baked Beans are the recipes 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 with no mayo!
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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 hard boiled chopped
- 12 slices bacon crumbled
- 6 green onions
- 2 cups tomatoes sliced grape tomatoes or regular
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
Instructions
Make The Dressing
- Mix the Seven Layer dressing: ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
- You will need a deep large glass bowl like a salad bowl or a trifle bowl. An inexpensive clear plastic salad bowl will work well too.
- Cook the bacon until crispy. Boil the eggs and peel them. Chop the tomatoes, green onions, 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 a pretty salad.
- 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 top of the lettuce. PRO TIP: Use a large spoon to gently press down the layer to keep it flat, this helps you build the layers.
- LAYER 3: Place the crumbled bacon on next, and smooth gently with the back of a 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 chopped 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 seal the salad well. Chill in the fridge until 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.
Excellent post!
Thanks
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!