Sensational Seven Layer Salad Recipe (Homemade Dressing)
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My 7 Layer Salad Recipe is a rainbow of fresh veggies served with a delicious, tangy, homemade dressing. Savor every crisp bite and enjoy every layer! Simple salad ingredients for the win! The layers of veggies have the perfect fresh flavor and taste!
A delicious dish that is also hearty and beautiful to look at — what more can you ask for? This recipe for 7 layer salad will surely impress your guests.
You can make this in a large trifle dish, and it’s perfect for family gatherings. I love all the ingredients in this seven-layer salad – it’s one of my favorite recipes!
Table of Contents
Old Fashioned 7 Layer Salad Recipe
I’ve found that this 7 layer salad recipe is one that actually has people coming back for seconds!
With a good amount of protein, crunchy veggies, and creamy dressing, it’s almost a main dish on its own.
I like to think of it as a potluck specialty because I always take this seven layer salad to share! It’s perfect for a church potluck or. family reunion!
I also recommend my Chick Fil A Market Salad Recipe, it’s more of a classic salad with hearty ingredients!
For a lighter salad option, try my Asian Inspired Carrot and Cucumber Salad!
My summer vegetable salad is another bright and zesty option that has a bounty of seasonal flavors and is packed with nutrients.
The colors of this one are also beautiful and impressive!
And what’s the best thing to go with salads? Soup! This loaded baked potato soup warms the soul and is incredibly satisfying.
Plus, the ingredients make it great for any time of the year!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Sour cream and mayonnaise – Both are key to getting the creamiest 7 layer salad dressing ever. (I don’t use Miracle Whip – only mayo)
- Fresh veggies – It wouldn’t be an old fashioned 7 layer salad without plenty of crisp and refreshing vegetables.
You’ll need lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and green peas. All the veggies are needed to create the layers of vegetables! - Bacon – One of my favorite layers is the crunchy applewood smoked bacon. The saltiness pairs wonderfully with the creamy 7 layer salad dressing.
Crispy bacon is key for texture! Bacon bits could be used in a crunch, but crisp bacon is preferred. - Cheese – You can use your preference. I love the triple cheddar blend from Tillamook.
- Eggs – For more added protein and flavor, don’t skip the hard-boiled eggs.
7 Layer Salad Recipe Tips
If you’ve ever been to a potluck, chances are good that you’ve seen some version of an old fashioned 7 layer salad.
The fun of making this recipe is deciding what ingredients to use for the layers!
- Kitchen hacks: Cook your bacon in the oven and the hard boiled eggs in the air fryer!
Not only are both methods completely hands-off, but the eggs are easier to peel this way as well. - Perfect for meal prep. The vegetables, bacon, and eggs can all be chopped ahead of time for quick assembly later on.
That makes this recipe for 7 layer salad perfect for meal prep without sacrificing flavor and crunch. - Make it seasonal. Another great thing about my 7 layer salad recipe is how customizable it is!
Flavorful, ripe vegetables that give you the taste of the season are always delicious.
Replace any ingredient with what is in season, such as cauliflower or bell peppers.
Serving Suggestions
While always best served fresh, this salad will stay nice and crisp for up to 24 hours — even after tossing in the dressing.
This is thanks to the iceberg lettuce and hearty vegetables.
7 layer salad dressing is delicious, tangy, and creamy on its own, but it also tastes great with additional herbs and seasonings.
Include your favorites and make it your own!
7 Layer Salad FAQ
Don’t mix before serving! Use a large spoon or spatula with a very long handle so each plate gets a little bit of everything.
You can switch things up, but I think that the order of ingredients that I have here make it easiest to serve. Plus, the colors look great!
The dressing does have sugar, but it’s mostly creamy, tangy, and has just a touch of sweetness. Of course, you can always taste-test and add more or less sugar as desired.
You can! That’s what makes it an easy recipe. I love adding different ingredients to mine, including fresh vegetables that are in season. Roma tomatoes, cauliflower florets, sweet peas, layers of lettuce, shredded cheese, green onions, parmesan cheese, diced red bell pepper, grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and another layer of veggies that you want can all be a part of this delicious salad.
I also love to dice up an English cucumber and even add frozen peas to the mix. Once you add everything to a clear glass bowl, this classic recipe transforms and shows you that you can make so many fun variations of this salad.
Why not make it your favorite salad for you? You can add so many fun different flavors! Don’t forget to add a tangy dressing and some sharp cheddar cheese.
Easy salad recipes like this prove that ingredients can have their own layer and together, create a very popular salad!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Sensational Seven Layer Salad Recipe (Homemade Dressing)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, washed and chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1 pound applewood smoked bacon, cooked and chopped
- 8 ounces bag of thick grated cheese, we used Tillamook triple cheddar blend
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed and pat dry
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together the sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and granulated sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- Wash and pat dry all vegetables: the lettuce, cucumber, peas, and tomatoes. Chop or slice bacon, eggs, cucumber, grape tomatoes, and red onion.
- In the following order, layer ingredients into a trifle or glass bowl with tall, straight sides: lettuce, bacon, cheese, eggs, cucumber, peas, tomatoes, and finally, the onion.
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the salad and toss or serve the dressing alongside the salad.
- Refrigerate, covered, up to 6 hours before serving or serve right away.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published February 2022, updated and republished April 2025
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Weโre Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
Oh my that is really a winner. I'll have to cut it down as I'm just a single person, but I'll make enough for 2 or 3 days. Or maybe I'll share it with my single lady neighbors.
The bacon adds such a nice savory taste to this salad, and really brings it up to 10 stars. This was amazing and I will be making it again.
Been making this popular salad for years only my recipe sprinkles 1 pkg dry Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix over all the ingredients. Really kicks it up a notch!