7 Layer Salad - A Beautiful Mess

Seven Layer Salad is a delicious layered pea salad. This classic picnic recipe has been around for generations. It’s delicious, fresh and best of all cold—perfect for summer! This recipe is colorful, crunchy and creamy. It’s the perfect recipe for any warm weather gathering. The 7 Layer Salad is my favorite summer recipe.

More Summer recipes: The Best Fruit Salad, Chicken Salad with Grapes, Deviled Eggs, 40+ Picnic Food Ideas.

Ingredients in 7 Layer Salad

Iceberg Lettuce – This is the base layer of the salad and adds a nice crunchy texture.
Frozen Peas – You can add your peas to the salad when they are half thawed.
Hard Boiled Eggs – I love hard boiled eggs as an addition to this salad—they add so much!
Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese is so delicious in this salad. Alternatively, you can add cubed cheese, but make sure you chop it small.
Red Onions – To me, no salad is complete without some onion.
Crispy Bacon – This makes the salad a grand slam. Feel free to substitute for turkey bacon or vegan bacon if you like.
Homemade Dressing – You will whip up a quick dressing made of mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.

There is some debate about which seven ingredients create the seven layers, so customize it to your personal tastes! Other optional layers are halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers or diced bell peppers. I also think chopped up chicken is a very good idea. When it comes to choosing your layers, follow your heart!

How to assemble 7 Layer Salad

The 7 Layer Salad must be served in a glass bowl so you can see all the layers. It’s a very visually pleasing salad. I chose this glass bowl because it shows the layers really well. The salad is meant to be served without mixing the layers, so people can scoop straight down and get a scoop of all the layers.

Prep your ingredients by mixing up the dressing (instructions below), cooking the bacon and eggs and chopping all the ingredients.

To assemble your salad, begin by adding one layer at a time to your glass bowl. I went in this order: lettuce, onion, peas, hard boiled eggs, dressing, shredded cheese and bacon.

7 Layer Salad Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined. The dressing should be smooth and creamy. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing while you prepare the rest of the salad. Chilling the dressing helps the flavors meld together.

How far ahead can I make this salad?

The ideal time to make this salad is 1-2 hours before serving, but you can do as much as the night before.

Tips for Making

Choose a glass bowl, so you can see the seven layers.
Customize the dressing according to your taste. If you prefer a tangier flavor, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar. You can also add a dash of hot sauce for some heat.
If you’re serving the salad at a party or potluck, consider providing a small label or note next to the bowl, listing the layers. This way, guests can see and appreciate each ingredient that goes into the salad.
Grab your picnic blanket, this is a perfect recipe for a meal outdoors!
Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. However, the salad is best enjoyed on the day it’s made.

Serving Suggestions/Goes Great With

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of a 7 Layer Salad?

The 7 Layer Salad is a southern recipe from the 1950s. Although the recipe has had many variations, the basic concept has remained the same.

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Yield 12 people

Prep 15 minutes

Instructions

The 7 Layer Salad must be served in a glass bowl so you can see all the layers. It’s a very visually pleasing salad. I chose this glass bowl because it shows the layers really well. The salad is meant to be served without mixing the layers, so people can scoop straight down and get a scoop of all the layers.
Prep your ingredients by mixing up the dressing (instructions below), cooking the bacon and eggs and chopping all the ingredients.
To assemble your salad, begin by adding one layer at a time to your glass bowl. I went in this order: lettuce, onion, peas, hard boiled eggs, dressing, shredded cheese and bacon.
Dressing – In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined. The dressing should be smooth and creamy. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing while you prepare the rest of the salad. Chilling the dressing helps the flavors meld together.

Notes

Choose a glass bowl, so you can see the seven layers.
Customize the dressing according to your taste. If you prefer a tangier flavor, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar. You can also add a dash of hot sauce for some heat.
If you’re serving the salad at a party or potluck, consider providing a small label or note next to the bowl, listing the layers. This way, guests can see and appreciate each ingredient that goes into the salad.
Grab your picnic blanket, this is a perfect recipe for a meal outdoors!
Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. However, the salad is best enjoyed on the day it’s made.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

7 Layer Salad

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

7 Layer Salad – A Beautiful Mess