This classic Seven Layer Salad is a crowd-pleaser with sun-ripened tomatoes, sweet peas, hard-boiled eggs, crisp bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese. Make the five-ingredient salad dressing in just a few minutes and seal all those wonderful flavors together.
This is one of my favorite potluck and party salads. Nicoise salad, deviled egg pasta salad, layered taco salad, and avocado salad are also some of my favorite salads to take to a gathering.
mpress your family and friends with this delicious and visually stunning salad. This easy salad is delicious and packed with nutritious ingredients that everyone loves.
We love to serve this tasty salad at potlucks, family gatherings, and parties. People love it, and it is always one of the first dishes gone. It is best prepared at least 4 hours before your event, covered with wrap, and refrigerated, but hold off on adding the final ingredients until right before you serve.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Mayonnaise: I like to use Duke’s mayo, but you can use other brands
- Sour cream: preferably full-fat for flavor
- Honey: you can substitute sugar but blend it well
- Lettuce: iceberg or romaine. I like to use a mixture of both.
- Tomatoes: sun-ripened tomatoes. Garden tomatoes or Campari tomatoes are great choices.
- Peas: frozen peas work best. I find canned peas too mushy for a salad.
- Cheese: my go-to is sharp cheddar, but any cheddar cheese works well.
How to Make a Seven-Layer Salad
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by mixing your dressing. Mix the mayo, sour cream, honey, salt, and pepper. Layer the chopped lettuce (reserving about 2 cups) in a large clear bowl or trifle bowl, followed by the red onions, tomatoes, and green peas.
Now, place the sliced eggs on their sides, use any extra eggs and reserved lettuce to hold them in place, and finish filling the bowl. Then, spread the dressing over the top and smooth it to seal. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours up to overnight.
Before serving, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, and a few more tomatoes. This salad is very easy to dig into and toss as you go. Once it is about halfway consumed, I toss together what is left in the bowl.
Preparation Tips
- This is a large salad. It serves at least 12 people, so plan accordingly. Leftovers are delicious, and the salad holds up reasonably well for about 48 hours.
- Spread the dressing to seal the salad. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate from 2 hours up to overnight.
- Feel free to swap out any ingredient you are not fond of or add layers for more texture and taste. Try bite-size pieces of broccoli, cauliflower, or diced red bell pepper.
- Don’t add the bacon, shredded cheddar, or scallions until it is time to serve.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil with a steamer basket for perfectly peeled eggs. Carefully add the eggs and steam large eggs for 15 minutes. Plunge into ice-cold water.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make this salad up to 24 hours in advance. However, for the flavors to meld, make the salad at least 4 hours ahead of time. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They may not be as attractive as the day you served them, but they will still taste delicious.
Seven Layer Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Salad
- 1 large head iceberg lettuce or romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 2 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups frozen peas thawed
- 6 hard-boiled eggs peeled and sliced
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon. chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- In a large clear bowl or trifle dish, layer the iceberg lettuce (reserving about 2 cups), followed by the red onions, tomatoes, and green peas. Using the sliced eggs, position them on their sides while using any extra eggs and the reserved lettuce to hold them in position and finish filling the bowl.
- Spread the dressing over the top and smooth it to seal. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours up to overnight.
- Right before serving, garnish with shredded cheese, bacon, and, if desired, a few tomato wedges.
Notes
- This is a large salad. It serves at least 12 people, so plan accordingly. Leftovers are delicious, and the salad holds up reasonably well for about 48 hours.
- Spread the dressing to seal the salad. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate from 2 hours up to overnight.
- Feel free to swap out any ingredient you are not fond of or add layers for more texture and taste. Try bite-size pieces of broccoli, cauliflower, or diced red bell pepper.
- Don’t add the bacon, shredded cheddar, or scallions until it is time to serve.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil with a steamer basket for perfectly peeled eggs. Carefully add the eggs and steam large eggs for 15 minutes. Plunge into ice-cold water.
Nutrition
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Nicki
I love this salad! It is always a hit for family functions and parties!
Catherine H
The Seven Layer Salad recipe is a true masterpiece! I loved the colorful layers of vegetables. This is a great salad to take to a pot luck or picnic!
Beth Pierce
I garee 100%
Karen Morse
Absolutely loved your Seven Layer Salad recipe post! The way you’ve layered flavors with vivid colors not only makes the dish a feast for the eyes but promises a delightful blend of textures and tastes. It’s wonderful how you offer the flexibility to adapt the ingredients – the suggested alternatives provide room for personal touches, catering to all preferences.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! I am so happy that you enjoyed it!
Jen P
Such a beautiful and tasty salad. I served it for a birthday gathering for my daughter and everyone loved it. I liked that I could prepare it the night before leaving me free to prepare the rest of the meal.
Beth Pierce
I love that too! It makes things easier!
Victor
I am usually not one for salads but this is one that I love. It always tastes delicious and it works with so many entrees. We served it with your oven baked ribs and the extended family loved it. I must admit it was one tasty meal.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Victor! That does sound delicious.
Kinzie
So simple and delicious. But I think there’s also the beautiful visual and colorful choices of ingredients that make this a wonderful dish~ I love it!
Rich M
The best layer salad! It is perfect for potlucks and semi-large gatherings. I am thinking about making this for Easter Sunday. Everyone loves it and it can be made the evening before. Sounds like just talked myself into it.
Beth Pierce
Sounds like a plan!
Karletta D
Delicious salad that looks as pretty as a trifle. And that dressing, is an absolute winner! All my dinner guests loved it.
Logan D
I have been making this recipe since you first posted it. It is always a big hit with friends and family. It is big enough for a small crowd and it holds up well for parties and potlucks, thanks for sharing this delicious salad recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Logan!
Connie
Your Seven-Layer Salad recipe is a colorful and appetizing dish that’s perfect for gatherings and potlucks. The layers of fresh ingredients, along with the creamy dressing, create a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Thanks for sharing this delicious and visually appealing recipe. Everytime I make it someone asks for the recipe. It is a real crowd pleaser.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for sharing, Connie!
Kara
Your Seven Layer Salad recipe is a total winner! 🥗 Love the combo of tomatoes, peas, eggs, bacon, and cheddar. That creamy mayo dressing is a game-changer. Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Kara!
Christopher Williams
Salad is wonderful! Love the bowl you made it in, where did you get that bowl?
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Christopher! I think I got that from Homegoods!
Sandra
This is such an amazing salad! A sure hit for parties!
Allyson
This was so flavorful and delicious thanks for the easy recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Allyson! The pleasure is all mine!
Erik
Looks incredible! Need to put this on our must make list!
Beti
WOW! This salad was incredible and easy to make!! We loved it.