An amazing 7 layer salad is like a multipurpose Trojan horse! It’s one of those beautiful salad recipes that can feed a ravenous crowd and double as one of your Easter side dishes too. Did I mention that it’s simple and nutritious? Dinner salad recipes make the perfect side dishes in the warm weather months and this one is no exception!
Its traditionally served in a big glass bowl to display its beautiful deliciousness. Unlike Mediterranean salad, the ingredients in this recipe are layered instead of mixed. It’s even more nutritious than broccoli salad and easier to make than pea salad.
You’ve gotta’ check this out!
What I Love About This Recipe
- My recipe feeds six, so you don’t need to worry about paring back portions.
- This salad is like a culinary Trojan horse! By the time your kids realize they have consumed lettuce, cauliflower, tomato, onions, and peas, it will be TOO LATE!
- Healthy festive salad as yummy as it looks
How To Make 7 Layer Salad Recipe
- Layer the lettuce at the bottom of the glass bowl.
- Layer the tomatoes.
- Then add the cauliflower rice.
- Add the green peas.
- Next are the sliced hard-boiled eggs.
- Add the red onions.
- Mix all the dressing ingredients in a cup.
- Spread the dressing over the top layer of the salad. Sprinkle the top with cheese and bacon.
- Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours. Toss and serve.
***See the full instructions below.
Layered Salad Recipe Notes
Serving a gorgeous layered salad allows you to adjust ingredient components to your liking.
- Layering: If you are short on one ingredient, or want to pack in a little extra of another, here is a layering pro-tip.
- Stuff the circumference of the bowl with a thicker layer of each ingredient, then fill the center with whatever you please! This gives the illusion of perfect layers while letting you adjust each component as necessary.
7 Layer Salad Ingredients
Salad
- lettuce
- tomatoes
- egg: This layer salad is an absolutely gorgeous side dish so you want your boiled eggs to be cooked perfectly – no green around the center, no chunks of white missing. Here’s how to get that done. Bring eggs to a rolling boil. Then turn the heat off, cover, and let sit for 7-9 minutes.
- Also, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water. It increases the alkalinity which makes the eggs easier to peel. You’ll be left with scrumptiously pretty perfectly boiled eggs.
- green peas
- onion
- cauliflower rice: This less familiar (but keto-friendly!) ingredient is made from cauliflower florets. It has a mild and slightly nutty flavor and the ideal proportions of lightness and stickiness. You can even make it yourself in the food processor!
Dressing:
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- parmesan cheese
- sugar
- salt & pepper
Topping:
- bacon
- cheddar cheese
How to Store and Make Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Your salad will stay fresh and yummy for up to 3 days when stored properly. You’ll want to keep it tightly covered and this thing should literally live in the fridge. Now, don’t be surprised if it gets all gobbled up on the serving day. I rarely have any leftovers with this recipe.
- Can You Freeze This? This light-n-lively salad is crafted with crisp lettuce, fresh summer veggies, and a homemade mayo-based dressing. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t freeze well at all.
- Make Ahead: Tips One of the most admirable qualities of this gorgeous layered salad (besides using up what’s on hand) is that it’s best made ahead of time. You’ll want everything to chill for at least a couple of hours before serving. So, I actually recommend making this layered salad the day before you want to serve it.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
Serving Recommendations
This salad is the perfect plus one tag-along for any backyard barbecue or summer potluck but it’s great for large family gatherings too. I like to serve it alongside my buttermilk roasted chicken or million dollar chicken. The flavors really tend to complement each other.
More Dinner Salad Recipes
Salads are a fantastic summer snack, side dish, or even meal and this 7 layer salad is no exception. Here are some other awesome salad recipes you may want to rotate into your warm-weather menu plan.
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7 Layer Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 6 cups spring mix lettuce
- 2 (10-ounce) container grape tomatoes cut in half
- 8 hard boiled eggs sliced
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen petite green peas thawed
- 1 small red onion
- 1 (16-ounce) bag cauliflower rice
Dressing:
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Topping:
- 8 ounces bacon cooked and crumbled
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large glass bowl, layer all the salad ingredients, in the order listed, one at a time in rows.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth. Spread the dressing over the top layer of salad, sealing the edges. Sprinkle the top with cheese and bacon. Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours. Toss and serve.
I’ve been making this salad for years, I never mix it, we just put a serving spoon in taking it to the bottom of the bowl and leave the rest in tact so the next person can get the account they would like. It still looks fine and not all mixed up. Very yummy though!
That’s clever! Thanks, Amira 🙂
Wow! I can’t wait to try this out and I am a picky eater..I too will add mushrooms and avocado.Also Will delete the sauce and use my sesame oil with ginger instead since I can’t stand mayonnaise.I am having this tonight.Thanks for the Recipe..
Yum! That sounds perfect, Lana! Thanks for sharing your tweaks 🙂
The star of the party!
Thank you, Quinn!❤️
I used mushroom rather than cauliflower. Best part of this salad is just using what’s available. Everything tastes so good in it! I also mix in a tablespoon of dry ranch dressing seasoning with the dressing. Adds a little pep. The best part is all the oohs and ahhs you’ll get and it’s super simple!
Hey Shari! Oooo mushrooms sound delish! <3
Yes the dry ranch dressing makes this salad!!!
I was wondering how to serve this! First, I made sure my family saw how delicious it looked, then I mixed it all together in a very large salad bowl. Toss and serve.
Thanks Ann! Great idea!
you say to toss it……I wondered how you would dish into it…..after making such a beautiful dish. Now how do I indulge?
It is such a pretty and refreshing dish.
Elaine, Lol! It only hurts a little bit <3
This salad was not only a hit with the fam, but it was delicious and has such a wonderful presentation! It took no time at all, so I am definitely looking forward to make it again for summer!
Yay, so glad your experience with this recipe was a success and thank you for sharing!
What is cauliflower rice?
It’s cauliflower that is cut into rice size pieces. It’s available at most supermarkets in the produce department, and is sold in bags. Or you can chop your own, in the food processor or hand grate it. 🙂
Great summer ideas!
Thanks Annie <3
Your instructions say to layer as listed, yet clearly in the picture the cauliflower is at the bottom and the eggs are at the bottom.
Sorry about that Diane. Honestly, the exact order doesn’t matter. I will ammend the instructions 🙂
As you mentioned: perfect for BBQ gatherings. Thank you so much !