melissassouthernstylekitchen.com

homemade family-style meals

stay connected icon
twitterfacebookpinterestinstagramyummlyrss feedyoutube
  • Home
    • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Press Release
  • Copyright
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Videos
  • Resources
  • Contact

Home » Salads & Dressings » Seven Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad

April 14, 2019 by Melissa 5 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
Email
15.4KShares
This scrumptious Seven Layer Salad is the ideal accompaniment to any meal #sevenlayersalad #saladrecipes #salads #sidedishrecipes #layersalad #holidayrecipes #cookouts #picnicfood #eastersidedish #christmassidedishrecipes #melissassouthernstylekitchen #southernfood #southernrecipes

Seven Layer Salad is a myriad of color and flavors. It’s a potluck classic that spans generations and gets better and better every time it’s made. I must admit, I’ve added a couple of extra layers to my seven layer salad to show the flexibility you have and the ability to personalize the ingredients. The flavors meld together beautifully and it’s bound to become a family favorite.

Seven Layer Salad

Easy And Beautiful Seven Layer Salad

I’m certain you’ve heard the old adage that we eat with our eyes first. It’s completely true, the more attractive and eye catching a dish is, the more people are enticed to try it. I suppose that fact has influenced my love of savory and sweet recipes to make using my trifle bowls. Savory layer salads like my Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad and BLT Penne Pasta Layer Salad are examples of some of my favorites. Not only are they scrumptious but, they also add an element of height to the table that makes them so attractive to include on the menu.

Step-by-step images to prepare Seven Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad Tips

When making this kind of layer salad there are a few things to remember:

  • It’s best to use a hearty lettuce so it maintains its integrity. Green leaf lettuce, romaine or iceberg works best. This is the one salad that doesn’t do well with a gourmet Spring mix.
  • The dressing can be made in advance if needed, and chilled until you’re ready to assemble.
  • Instead of frying the bacon, I bake it while I prepare the rest of the ingredients for a timesaver. See how to do that here.
  • Classic Seven Layer Salad is supposed to chill overnight. If you plan on having it for dinner, it’s perfectly fine to assemble that morning then cover and chill. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
  • If I’m planning on serving this the same day, I sometimes choose to thin the dressing just a bit more. Pour half on top, then save the rest for serving on the side for those who may want a bit more on their salad. Plus, it prevents the salad from becoming soggy.
  • Have fun and add ANY vegetables that you like. Switch out the bell peppers for chopped poblano or jalapenos to add a little kick. You can also add a layer of sliced mushrooms in place of the olives, if you prefer. No matter how many layers it ends up having, I still call it Seven Layer Salad. After all, who’s counting, anyway.

Seven Layer Salad

More Eye Catching Layer Salads

I have trifle bowls in a plethora of sizes specifically for dessert trifles and layer salads. Some of my visitors tell me they use my Layered Southwestern Cornbread Salad as a dip with tortilla chips. How fun! A couple of other recipes to add to your layer salad menu is this Layered Greek Salad and Layered Taco Salad perfect for your next potluck party.

Seven Layer Salad

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If  a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items: 

  • Large Trifle Bowl
  • Painted Salad Plates
  • Salad Serving Set
  • Salad Forks


Seven Layer Salad
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

Seven Layer Salad

Prep Time25 mins
Chill Time8 hrs
Total Time8 hrs 25 mins
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy-seven-layer-salad, seven-layer-salad
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 8 large eggs boiled and quartered
  • 12 oz bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 10 cups roughly chopped green leaf lettuce
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 12 oz frozen petite peas thawed
  • 1 4 oz can sliced black olives drained
  • 1 medium red bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 8 oz block colby-jack or sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • Dressing:
  • 1 1/2 cups real mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 green onion thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Place eggs in a large pot in a single layer. Fill with enough water to cover tops by one inch. Heat to boiling, then remove from heat and cover. Let stand 12 minutes.
  • Drain and rinse under cool water until cool enough to handle. Peel cooked eggs and cut into wedges or chop. Set aside.
  • Fry the bacon in a large skillet until crisp then move to paper towels to drain and cool. 
  • To make dressing: In a medium size mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, cider vinegar, sugar, garlic salt, lemon pepper and onion powder until fully combined.
  • To assemble salad: In a large trifle or salad bowl begin with a bottom layer using 1/2 total amount shredded lettuce, then onion, cherry tomatoes, and eggs. Drizzle with about 1/2 of dressing.
  • Next, begin layering again, with remaining 1/2 lettuce, then olives, peas and bell pepper. Spread remaining dressing evenly on top.
  • Finish by sprinkling with shredded cheese and bacon. Garnish with green onion, if desired.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours or overnight.

Notes

I recommend that you season the egg layer with salt and pepper then continue with the layers per the recipe. Avoid adding salt to the tomato layer or it can make the salad soggy.
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
Email
15.4KShares

Filed Under: Holiday, Party Food, Salads & Dressings, Southern Comfort Food, Sumptuous Sides, Vegetables Tagged With: 7 layer salad, layered salad, layered salad recipes, potluck salads, salad trifle, seven layer salad

You May Also Like

30 Summer Salads Perfect for Your Memorial Day Barbecue
30 Summer Salads Perfect For Your Memorial Day Barbecue
32 Easy Easter Side Dishes
32 Delicious Make Ahead Easter Side Dishes
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad
« Chicken Tamale Pie
Peach Glazed Pork Chops »
about melissa

ABOUT MELISSA

Hi, thanks for stopping by to visit my website My name is Melissa! I’m a busy Mom, author, recipe developer, photographer, food writer and blogger. I’m passionate about creating delicious dishes to share with family and friends! Read more...

    twitterfacebookpinterestinstagramyummlyrss feedyoutube

MELISSA’S SOUTHERN COOKBOOK

Melissas-SouthernCooking-CoverSouthern_Kitchen_cover10

Comments

  1. Trena says

    December 3, 2020 at 8:37 pm

    What is the light dressing you are suppose to drizzle on it?

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      December 3, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      The dressing is homemade and part of the recipe ingredients.

      Reply
  2. D Kay Pratt says

    November 3, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    I love your recipes but I already have this one, an all-time favorite!

    Reply
  3. michael frederick regan says

    April 14, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    love your recipes

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      April 14, 2019 at 3:30 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




about

hello,my name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.

more

AS SEEN ON

Copyright © 2021 · Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy