7 Layer Salad is a fresh, crunchy, flavor-packed classic stacked with crisp lettuce, sweet peas, juicy tomatoes, eggs, cheese, bacon, and the creamiest dressing.
Authorโs notes
My Grandmaโs Famous Layered Salad
I was blown away by how much you all loved the pea salad I recently shared! So many of you messaged me saying your moms also made it growing up, and I loved hearing that. I also got some fun ideas to try next time, especially adding diced ham. (If I have leftover Easter ham, I already know exactly where itโs going!)
So I wanted to share another nostalgic recipe box favorite. This one comes from my grandma! She made it at every big family get-together, always layered in a pretty trifle dish.
And yes, I canโt help but think of the Friends episode with the half-sweet, half-savory trifle. But donโt worry, this one turns out exactly how it should, haha. It doesnโt need a fancy trifle dish either. Itโs just as good in a big salad bowl.
7 Layer Salad Ingredients
| Ingredient | Letโs Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Iceberg lettuce | Chop into bite-size pieces and dry well so the salad stays crisp. |
| Frozen peas & tomatoes | Thaw peas fully and pat dry. Use ripe tomatoes and cut into even pieces. |
| Green onions | Slice thin for the best flavor in every bite. |
| Hard-boiled eggs, cheddar cheese & bacon | Chop eggs small, shred cheese fresh for better flavor, and cook bacon until crisp. |
| Mayo, sour cream & seasonings | Stir until smooth and spread all the way to the edges to seal the layers. |
How To Make My Grandmaโs 7 Layer Salad
- Make dressing: Whisk until smooth, then cover and chill.
- Layer base: Add lettuce, then evenly layer peas, green onions, and tomatoes.
- Add eggs: Sprinkle chopped eggs in an even layer.
- Seal with dressing: Spread dressing edge to edge to fully cover.
- Finish & serve: Top with cheese and bacon, then scoop straight down to serve.
Chelseaโs Notes
Serving Suggestions
Here are some easy, cute ways I like to serve this 7 Layer Salad:
- Family-style tray: Lightly toss and spread on a platter for a more casual look.
- Clear glass bowl: A trifle dish or any big glass bowl works.
- Wide shallow bowl: Spread out for easy, clean scoops.
- Individual cups: Layer into small cups or jars for easy grab-and-go servings.
- Big serving bowl + spoon: Pile into a large bowl with a big spoon for simple serving.
Quick Tip
Always scoop straight down so you get every layer in each serving.
Storage
This salad is best enjoyed soon after making while the lettuce and bacon stay crisp.
More Old-School Recipe Favorites:
7 Layer Salad
Equipment
- Trifle dish or large glass bowl, see note 1
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce about 1 large head
- 2 cups frozen peas thawed and dried well
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 pint (3 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes quartered
- 6 hard-boiled eggs peeled and chopped
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10-12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (microwave bacon is fine!)
- 3/4 cup mayo (Best Foods/Hellmannโs)
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional, but recommended
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
Instructionsย
- Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Add chopped, fully dry lettuce to the bottom of a wide glass bowl or trifle dish. Evenly layer peas, green onions, tomatoes, and chopped eggs.
- Spread dressing edge to edge to fully seal the salad. Use as much as you like and reserve extra for serving on the side.
- Top with cheese and bacon.
- Scoop straight down when serving to get every layer. Serve any additional dressing on the side so guests can add more if needed.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
