Discover your new go-to year round salad recipe with this incredibly delicious layered salad! This dish promises a wonderful blend of flavors that your family and guests will love, all while being a fantastic make ahead layered salad. You’re in for a surprisingly easy preparation process, taking minimal active time and requiring just a few hours to chill in the fridge, making it ideal for any occasion from summer barbecues to holiday dinners.
What is a 7 Layer Salad?
A 7 Layer Salad is a classic American potluck dish, sometimes called a "24-Hour Salad." It's traditionally made with 7 layers, but our version adds an extra layer of bell peppers for more color and crunch! The concept is the same: crisp lettuce, veggies, a creamy dressing, and savory toppings, all layered in a 9x13 dish.
Why You Will Love This Dish
- The Ultimate Potluck Dish: This is the classic make-ahead salad that's a crowd-pleaser at every holiday, barbecue, or gathering.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: As the name says, this recipe is designed to be made up to 24 hours in advance.
- Simple, Versatile Ingredients: This recipe uses simple, inexpensive ingredients , and you can easily customize it.
What You Will Need:
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce
- 2 bell peppers
- 1-12 oz bag of frozen peas
- 2 cups of mayonnaise
- 1 medium red onion
- 1 pound of bacon
- 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup of sugar
Simple Ingredients for a Delicious Layered Salad
The ingredients are simple! Most of the ingredients you could have on hand. Iceberg lettuce, onions, bell pepper, parmesan cheese, frozen peas, mayonnaise, bacon, and sugar. They are all relatively inexpensive and are available at your local grocery store. I am sure you could replace the bacon with some other meat. You can also substitute my ranch dressing recipe for the mayonnaise
Building Your Beautiful Layered Salad: Step-by-Step
The make ahead layered salad could not be easier to put together! Start by placing the diced iceberg in the bottom of an appropriately sized bowl (9x13 inch baking dish, trifle bowl, etc.). Next, layer the peppers, peas, and any other veggies you may like. Banana peppers, celery, broccoli, etc. Mayonnaise is next followed by onion, bacon, cheese, and a light sprinkle of sugar for a subtle sweetness. Keep the layers unmixed and place the salad in the fridge. Once the salad has chilled in the fridge for at least a few hours, you can mix the salad and serve.
I have found that this salad is one of the most delicious and simple salads to make. I have served it as a main dish and as a side salad. It goes with so many meals! Burgers, ham, barbecue, and more! Perfect for the summer holidays!
Please visit my sides and salads page for more ideas such as my Autumn Broccoli Slaw, simple strawberry salad, strawberry mango salad, or apple salad with blue cheese and toasted walnuts.
FAQ's
For the best flavor and for the layers to set properly, the salad should chill in the fridge for at least a few hours before you mix and serve it.
Yes, absolutely! This is a fantastic make-ahead recipe that can be fully assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before you plan to serve it.
Iceberg lettuce is traditionally used and works wonderfully for the base of this salad, providing a crisp texture that holds up well.
Yes, you can easily replace the bacon with other cooked meats like diced ham or turkey. For a vegetarian version, you can omit the meat entirely or use a plant-based bacon substitute.
This salad is very customizable! Beyond the bell peppers and peas, you can add diced celery, broccoli florets, or even thinly sliced banana peppers for extra flavor and crunch.
While mayonnaise is traditional, you can certainly substitute it with your homemade Ranch dressing recipe for a delicious alternative that still provides a creamy layer.
Recipe
Easy Make-Ahead 7 Layer Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 1 12 ounce bag of frozen peas
- 2 cups of mayonnaise
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 1 pound of crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup of sugar
Method
- In a large bowl or baking dish, layer lettuce, bell peppers, and frozen peas.
- Next, spread mayonnaise. Then layer onion, bacon, parmesan cheese, and sugar in order.
- Refrigerate up to 24 in advance.
- Toss salad before serving.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Key Takeaways
- Discover a delicious 7 layer salad recipe that's easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
- This make ahead layered salad features simple and versatile ingredients like iceberg lettuce, bacon, and mayonnaise.
- You can customize the salad with additional vegetables or substitute bacon with other proteins as needed.
- Chill the salad for several hours to enhance flavors, serving it as a main or side dish for gatherings.
- Visit the site for more recipes and ideas to complement your meals.
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