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I’ve been making, eating, and enjoying 7 Layer Salad for the past 40+ years. This classic Midwestern side dish is a staple at potlucks, barbecues, neighborhood block parties, and family reunions, and it’s just as tasty now as it was back then.
If you’re from Ohio, you probably want to toss the salad before serving. It sounds crazy to me, but that’s how they do it! And to the sub-section of the population that adds hard-boiled eggs to your salad, please carry on. That sounds like a fabulous addition.
With over 500 5-star reviews, you can trust that this version is the very best and the one that will take you on a trip down memory lane – right back to your own childhood where you loved a hearty bowl of 7 Layer Salad, too.
Table of Contents
7 Layer Salad Ingredients:
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes:
- Lettuce: Iceberg, crispy head lettuce, or Romaine.
- Red onion: I love the color of this one, but you can substitute white, yellow, or sweet onion if you prefer. Tame harsh raw onions by soaking in ice water for 10 minutes, then draining well.
- Celery: A few ribs for extra crunch.
- Peas: Run frozen peas under cold water until thawed and drain well.
- Mayonnaise: Plain, good quality mayo like Hellman’s or Best Foods is perfect.
- Sugar: A little sugar transforms your mayo into salad dressing, but you can leave it out if you want to.
- Cheddar cheese: Or change the cheese to the one you love like smoked provolone, blue cheese, or feta cheese.
- Bacon: You could layer in some turkey or ham instead of the bacon.
How to make Seven Layer Salad:
Before you begin, you should decide on what bowl to use for your layered salad. A clear glass bowl shows off all the hard work you put into chopping the vegetables. And a clear glass bowl with straight sides makes it easy to assemble.
- First layer: In the bottom of the bowl, spread the shredded lettuce
- Second layer: A thin layer of chopped red onion
- Third layer: Chopped celery
- Fourth layer: Peas
- Fifth layer: Spread the mayo over everything and sprinkle with a little sugar
- Sixth layer: Shredded cheddar cheese
- Seventh layer: Crispy chopped bacon
4. Cover the salad up with plastic wrap and chill for a at least a couple hours.
How to Make 7 Layer Salad Ahead of time:
This salad is a make-ahead marvel! The salad needs to chill for a couple of hours anyway, but you can safely make it a full day ahead if needed. The flavor gets better as it sits! The key to make Seven Layer Salad in advance is to ensure all of the layers are totally dry. Spin that lettuce in a salad spinner or blot with clean kitchen towels. Your peas should go in thawed, not frozen. Celery and onion aren’t water-logged anyway, so you’ll be good to go there. And the mayonnaise layer provides a nice moisture barrier for the cheese and bacon. I’m always surprised at how well the leftovers hold up here, too!
7 Layer Salad Recipe Tips & Variations:
- Hard Boiled Eggs: Not in my Seven layer salad! But many people say that’s how they make it.
- Miracle Whip: Substitute Miracle Whip for the mayo if you are a Miracle Whip fan. The only difference between them is that the salad dressing Miracle Whip already has added sugar, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Sour cream: Some cooks love mixing half mayo, half sour cream for a tangier dressing.
- Parmesan cheese: A few tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese taste great added to the mayo.
- Extra veggies: Change out your layers for different vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, scallions
- More toppings: Not traditional, but avocado, olives, and crunchy fried onions are so good!
More delicious salads:
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Seven Layer Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head lettuce shredded
- 1/2 cup red onion diced (see note 1)
- 2-3 celery ribs sliced (about 1 cup)
- 12 ounces frozen peas thawed (see note 2)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (see note 3)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 pound bacon fried and crumbled
Instructions
- Spread the lettuce evenly in the bottom of a glass bowl. Top with red onion, celery, and peas.
- Spread mayonnaise on top of celery and sprinkle with sugar. Top with cheddar cheese and bacon. Cover and chill.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Red onion: I love the color of this one, but you can substitute white, yellow, or sweet onion if you prefer. Tame harsh raw onions by soaking in ice water for 10 minutes, then draining well.
- Peas: Run frozen peas under cold water until thawed and drain well.
- Sugar: A little sugar transforms your mayo into salad dressing, but you can leave it out if you want to.
Hi!
How could I divide this up to make mason Jar salads for lunch meal prep? I don’t want to mess up the flavor!
Hi Amanda, I would build the salad in a different order to make sure it stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy. I would either put the mayo dressing at the bottom of the jar or pack it separately. I would then put the onions, celery, and peas. I would then add the bacon and cheese, and top with the lettuce. Hope this helps! – Meggan
This is just the recipe about which I was thinking! Plus, some wonderful suggestions to modify. Thanks so much!!!
You’re so welcome, Mary Kathleen! I hope you love it! – Meggan
This sounds awesome. Just one question. When you serve this salad, you don’t mix it? You serve it as is?
Hi Lennie, I serve it as is, but others mix it first. It’s up to you! – Meggan
Finally! This is it! My Mother-in-law gave me this recipie years ago. I made it so often, the amounts anð assembly instructions were memorized. Fast forward, to many years to think about, the recipie was lost. I’ve been looking for quite sometime! No eggs, no yogurt, no cauliflower! Lol. Thank you. It’s a very tasty salad. The “church ladies” had it right.
I’m so glad I was able to help you recreate a time honored recipe, Nancy! Thank you for sharing this with me 🙂 – Meggan
Delicious 😋 and thank you. Searching for recipes these days is challenging to say the least. Some people think they need to change a perfectly great dish when they are much better left alone. So happy I found yours and it turned out the way I remember. Hats off to original recipes!!
Thank you so much, Cheryl. I’m glad you found my recipes too! – Meggan
I have used this recipe . Instead of bacon I used grilled chicken diced into smaller than bite sized pieces. Delicious !
Yummy, sounds great 🙂 – Meggan
Excellent recipe. Can’t wait to use it. KNaghma S. gray
Come back and let us know how it turned out! – Meggan
Delicious
Thanks Bette. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 – Meggan
I love this salad! I lost the recipe years ago and was so happy to find again. Every one of my lucnheon guests enjoyed. Thanks so much.
Thanks Elizabeth! I’m glad you loved it! -Meggan
do you cook the peas
Hi Louise, I use the thawed frozen peas as they are, but drained cooked peas can be used also, it will just taste different. Enjoy! – Meggan