This traditional 7 Layer Salad recipe is a tasty dish with true Southern charm! Seven delicious layers of lettuce, bacon, peas, cheese, onions, tomatoes, and boiled eggs make up this hearty salad, all combined with a creamy mayo dressing. It’s the perfect dish for potlucks, barbecues, and simple lunches!
What’s in this 7 Layer Salad Recipe?
This classic show-stopper salad is savory, sweet, and full of flavor. It really is seven whole layers of delicious ingredients!
- Bacon: Crumbled cooked bacon adds a salty and umami element to the salad.
- Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs add a rich and savory element to the salad.
- Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce gives this salad its signature crunch!
- Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweet and acidic flavor.
- Red Onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and bite to the salad.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a mild, buttery, and salty flavor.
- Frozen Peas: Add a pop of sweetness to the salad.
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the dressing.
- Honey: Adds a touch of floral sweetness to the dressing.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a bit of tang to the dressing.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the dressing.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the dressing.
Pro Tip: If your onions are too strong, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes to remove some of their bite.
Variations on the Original Seven Layer Salad
This is the kind of salad you can really get creative with to make it your own. Start with a base of your favorite lettuce (go for something hearty like iceberg or romaine) and build up from there. Add chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo; white onion or shallots; avocado, guacamole, or firm tofu; your favorite kind of cheese; edamame, broccoli, or green beans; and top with chopped nuts, dried fruit, crushed tortilla chips, or croutons! The possibilities are endless with this 7 layer salad recipe.
This salad is made of 7 distinct layers, starting with iceberg lettuce at the bottom, followed by grape tomatoes, red onion, hard-boiled eggs, cheddar cheese, peas, and a top layer of crumbled bacon.
This classic salad originated in the 1950’s in the South, where it was called 7 layer pea salad.
The distinct layers are mainly for a “wow” presentation. Once you serve this salad, scoop deep to get a bit of each layer, then feel free to mix it up on your plate.
How to Store
Store leftover 7 layer salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy chilled. I do not recommend freezing this salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this seven layer salad with grilled chicken breast, pan seared ribeye, breaded pork chops, garlic butter salmon, or spicy Mexican shrimp to make it a meal. Or serve it as a side along with smash burgers, baked turkey sliders, or hamburger helper.
7 Layer Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound bacon
- 4 large eggs
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 cups grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red onion chopped
- 10 ounces freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 10 ounces frozen green peas thawed (1 package)
For the Dressing
- 1¼ cups mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Make sure the foil goes up the sides too.
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Cook the bacon for 17-20 minutes, or until crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.1 pound bacon
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Once cool, crumble the bacon into pieces.
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Place the eggs in a small pot and cover with cool water. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, cover and set your timer for 8 minutes.4 large eggs
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Add ice and cold water to a medium bowl. Once 8 minutes have passed, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to the bowl of ice water. Let sit until they are cool enough to peel.
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Once cool, peel and chop into large bite-sized pieces.
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In a small bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients.1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1¼ cups mayonnaise
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In your serving dish, spread the lettuce into one even layer.1 head iceberg lettuce
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Top with the tomatoes, red onion, and hard boiled eggs.2 cups grape tomatoes, 1 red onion
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Pour the dressing evenly over the eggs. Then top with cheese, peas, and crumbled bacon.10 ounces freshly shredded cheddar cheese, 10 ounces frozen green peas
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Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can cook the bacon however you’d like. In a skillet, in the oven, etc. Just make sure to crumble it before adding it to the salad.
- For a shortcut, purchase store-bought hard-boiled eggs.
Nutrition
More Nostalgic Salad Recipes We Love
- Waldorf Salad
- Watergate Salad
- Creamy Pea Salad
- Grape Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Ambrosia Salad
- Jello Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
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