This overnight 7-layer salad recipe is everyday easy in addition to being party perfect!
Layers of fresh lettuce, veggies, cheese, and bacon are topped with a creamy dressing to make this seven layer salad!
It’s fresh, crunchy, and delicious, a welcome addition to any meal!
What is 7 Layer Salad?
- A traditional 7-layer salad recipe starts with a base of crisp iceberg lettuce followed by 6 additional layers. We add tomatoes, peas, green onions, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, and bacon with a mayonnaise-based dressing is added in the middle.
- A little “chill” time (overnight) is recommended making this salad recipe potluck perfect.
- Prepare it the night before; a seven-layer salad recipe stays crispy until ready to serve even with the dressing on top!
- Serve it in a pretty trifle bowl or a clear 9×13 dish so everyone can see the delicious layers!
What’s in Seven Layer Salad?
Mix and match the ingredients, I add 7 layers but you can add as many as you’d like to this overnight salad.
Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce will stay extra crunchy due to its high water content, so it’s great in an overnight salad. Wash it first and then dry it very well (I use a salad spinner).
Vegetables – Tomatoes, peas, and sliced green onions add visual interest to a 7 layer salad, but so can chopped celery, sliced radishes, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, shredded zucchini, corn, sundried tomatoes, and even shredded brussels sprouts. This is a great recipe for using up leftover bits of veggies in the fridge.
Bacon & Eggs – Bacon and hard-boiled eggs add texture, color, and a boost of healthy protein. I keep the bacon on the side and sprinkle it on just before serving.
Cheese – Cheddar cheese has a sharp flavor that tastes great with sweet peas and salty bacon. Blue cheese crumbles or parmesan cheese are other excellent options.
Dressing for Overnight Salad
This mayo-based sour cream dressing is traditional and it is super easy to make. It’s thicker than a traditional dressing, so it holds up well.
Add in your favorite herbs or ranch-style seasonings to change it up.
How to Make Overnight Salad
- Layer lettuce in a casserole dish and top with tomatoes, peas, green onions, and boiled eggs (as per the recipe below).
- Spread dressing over the top. Cover and chill. Top with cheese and bacon before serving.
Storing 7-Layer Salad
Keep leftover 7-layer salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will blend and taste even better the next day!
More Side Salads We Love
Did you make this 7 Layer Salad for a crowd? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
7 Layer Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 cups tomatoes diced, or sliced cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups frozen peas defrosted (uncooked)
- ½ cup green onions or red onions, sliced
- 8 hard boiled eggs cooled, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
DRESSING
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and seasoned salt for the dressing. Set aside.
- Wash and dry the lettuce very well. Place lettuce in the bottom of a large trifle bowl (or 9×13 pan).
- In order, top with tomatoes, peas, green onions, and boiled eggs. Spread the dressing on top right to the edges.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Top with cheese and bacon before serving.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to substitute other vegetables for the layers. Options include bell peppers, corn, sliced celery, mushrooms, or radishes, sundried tomatoes or shredded carrots, cabbage, zucchini, or brussels sprouts!
- To make ahead, assemble all the layers except cheese and bacon, cover, and chill. Just before serving, layer cheese and bacon on top.
1 cup mayonnaise
¾ cup sour cream
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
salt & pepper to taste
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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Looks Delicious!
Healthy deliciously
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Sonis!
I love this salad, especially for church dinners.
THIS SALAD IS AWESOME! We love it We also loved your Dorito Taco Salad. My husband adored it. Thanks so much and I lovve your blog!
Thank you GrammaSue! I’m so glad you loved it!
I would like to try some of these recipes.
I’ve always seen (& made) this salad with the dressing on top, and the cheese under the dressing. It’s a terrific salad, and best presented in a Trifle dish.
Can you make this the day before?
Yes, this can sit overnight.
I made it using the same ingredients, but added a layer of sliced mushrooms and a layer of yellow bell pepper and it was great.
We’re having a busy weekend, full of family and fun. I offered to bring salads to two events. I made this one, yesterday, and it was such a hit, that my husband asked me to make it, again, today! This is going into my regular rotation!
I’m so glad you loved it Melissa!!
this is much easier in a 9 x 13
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you enjoy your New Red Plate and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
Your salad is delicious looking. I can see it at a big get-together or for our next barbecue.
Madonna
Looks good! I think I could just eat this for dinner! I will have to give it a try!
-Jennie
I’m hosting a linkup and would love for you to stop by!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
This looks AMAZING, Holly! DELISH! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us this week!
Yum! This made me hungry. Thanks for sharing at Mz Helen’s Full Plate!