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Classic Make-Ahead 7 Layer Salad

A close-up view of a layered 7 layer salad in a clear glass bowl, topped with bacon, cheese, and green onions.
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This classic 7 layer salad recipe layers fresh vegetables, bacon, and cheese with a creamy dressing. It is a perfect potluck staple that you can prepare the day before serving.

Ingredients

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  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • For the Creamy Dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and chop all vegetables according to the ingredient list. Cook the bacon until crisp, drain, and crumble. Thaw the peas. Chop the hard-boiled eggs.
  3. Assemble the salad in a large glass bowl to show the layers. Start with the lettuce as the base layer.
  4. Add the next layers in this order: thawed peas, celery, red onion, tomatoes, and chopped eggs.
  5. Spread the prepared creamy dressing evenly over the egg layer, covering all ingredients completely. This seals the layers.
  6. Top the dressing with the shredded cheddar cheese, followed by the crumbled bacon.
  7. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to set.
  8. When ready to serve, slice the salad straight down through all the layers to serve each portion with all seven components.

Notes

  • Making this salad ahead of time is key; the flavors deepen overnight, and the dressing seals the lower layers from wilting.
  • Use a clear glass bowl to display the beautiful layers, which makes this an ideal salad for parties.
  • If you are serving this at a large gathering, you can substitute the mayonnaise in the dressing with Greek yogurt for a slightly lighter version.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/7-layer-salad-recipe-make-ahead/