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!
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Why It’s Great!
Recipe Notes
Similar Recipes
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
My salad comes together in three easy steps in no time at all. Just prep and layer the main ingredients, whisk together the dressing, then sprinkle on the toppings. Presto! Who knew you could count to seven with just 1, 2, 3?!
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.
Ingredient Notes
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.
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!
Tools to Make
Serving up this salad is a walk in the park because it doesn’t take any special gadgets at all. The main thing you want to have is a big beautiful glass salad bowl to display your creativity and even that is optional!
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.
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.
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7 Layer Salad
This 7 layer salad uses creamy homemade dressing, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar to smuggle in tons of awesome veggies, like a culinary Trojan horse!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Kathleen
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.
Fans Also Made:
Chicken Pasta Salad (A Potluck Favorite!)
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Mediterranean Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
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Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 of the recipe | Calories: 917kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 80g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 344mg | Sodium: 1413mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3625IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 367mg | Iron: 1.7mg
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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.
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Marinated Tomato Salad
- Quinoa Salad
- Dorito Taco Salad
- 1905 Salad
Conclusion
This amazing 7 layer salad is a bright refreshing option to dress up any table and its delicious too. Besides that, it only takes 15 minutes to throw together and that’s only because you have to boil eggs. It’s a nutritious summer salad that doubles as eye candy and it makes you look like a Rockstar chef!
This not only one of my favorite summer salad recipes but it’s my go-to in a pinch and I can’t wait for you to try it!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Amira McMahon says 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!
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- Kathleen says
That’s clever! Thanks, Amira 🙂
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- Lana says
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..
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- Kathleen says
Yum! That sounds perfect, Lana! Thanks for sharing your tweaks 🙂
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- Quinn says
The star of the party!
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- Kathleen says
Thank you, Quinn!❤️
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- Shari says
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!
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- Kathleen says
Hey Shari! Oooo mushrooms sound delish! <3
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- Karen says
Yes the dry ranch dressing makes this salad!!!
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- Ann says
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.
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- Kathleen says
Thanks Ann! Great idea!
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- Elaine says
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.Reply
- Kathleen Smith says
Elaine, Lol! It only hurts a little bit <3
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- Aby says
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!
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- Kathleen Smith says
Yay, so glad your experience with this recipe was a success and thank you for sharing!
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- Doris Jackson says
What is cauliflower rice?
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- Kathleen Smith says
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. 🙂
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- Annie says
Great summer ideas!
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- Kathleen Smith says
Thanks Annie <3
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- Diane says
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.
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- Kathleen Smith says
Sorry about that Diane. Honestly, the exact order doesn’t matter. I will ammend the instructions 🙂
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- 2pots2cook says
As you mentioned: perfect for BBQ gatherings. Thank you so much !
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