This Seven Layer Salad is full of vivid, bold color and bright flavors. There’s a reason this classic 7 layer salad has been so popular over the years, and you’ll remember it with every crunchy bite!

Layer it in a pretty glass bowl for a pretty addition to any brunch, lunch or dinner spread. It’s great for holidays and all types of parties!

Seven layer salad topped with bacon on a marble countertop
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I’m a big fan of vintage recipes that take me back to my childhood. Are you the same way? There’s just something about updating a classic to make it feel fresh and new.

I’ve done that with a lot of family favorite recipes – put my own spin on them to make them feel a little more modern, but still as delicious as ever. This Mandarin Orange Cake is a great example, and my reader favorite Bunny Butt Cake is too!

Let’s be honest – sometimes a classic recipe is famous for a reason. One of those classics is a seven layer salad. You know you’ve seen them at family parties for decades, and once you have the first bite, you’ll know why.

It’s fresh and vibrant and serves beautifully in a pretty glass salad bowl. I love the bright colors and how easy it is to customize this salad. It’s perfect for spring, but these flavors are season free, in my humble opinion. Make it all year long and you’re sure to be the hit of the party!

Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate this post with ease. I’m covering everything you need to know about this simple but beautiful salad – let’s get started!

Seven layer salad topped with bacon on a marble countertop

Seven Layer Salad

Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

  • So Easy
  • Great for Parties
  • One of the best Pulled Pork Sides
  • Beautiful in a Glass Bowl
  • Customizable
  • Seasonless
A 7 layer salad mixed up in a glass serving dish, wooden spoons to the side

Seven Layer Salad Ingredients

  • Iceberg Lettuce – Shredded or chopped, your preference. You can also use romaine or butter lettuces, your call!
  • Red Onion – Diced red onion adds a pretty pop of color and flavor.
  • Celery – Diced celery adds the perfect crunch.
  • Peas – We use frozen peas in our seven layer salad. Don’t worry, they defrost quickly and add a great pop of sweet green flavor.
  • Bacon – Chop it prior to frying, or fry it whole and then crumble.
  • Mayonnaise – You can even learn how to make your own homemade mayonnaise, it’s easier than you’d think. If you’re buying store bought, choose a high quality olive oil mayo.
  • Sugar – White granulated sugar adds just a hint of sweetness to the dressing.
  • Parmesan – Fresh grated parmesan makes a world of difference! Take the extra step if you can, but I’ll never tell if you buy it pre-grated.
Ingredients for seven layer salad spread out on a marble surface.

Variations

  • Switch Miracle Whip for Mayo, or do half and half for a sweeter dressing.
  • Use Ranch Seasoning or Fiesta Ranch Seasoning for a different flavor profile to the dressing.
  • Use Cheddar or Colby Jack in place of Parmesan.
  • Substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt for the dressing.
  • Switch up your veggies! Consider adding diced red or yellow peppers, green onions, cherry tomatoes and more.
  • Make it more like a club salad and add extra protein – ham, turkey etc.
  • Add chopped hard boiled eggs.
  • Add even more crunch with a topping of fried onions, croutons and more.

How to Make this 7 Layer Salad

First, whip the sugar into the mayonnaise to create the seven layer salad dressing. Fry your bacon and you’re reading to go! Let’s make this salad:

Chopped bacon cooking in a frying pan
  1. In the bottom of serving bowl, spread the shredded lettuce. Chopped lettuce in a glass serving dish.
  2. Next, add frozen peas. Chopped lettuce topped with peas in a glass serving dish.
  3. Third, add your layer of chopped red onion. Chopped lettuce topped with peas and onions in a glass serving dish.
  4. Chopped celery is the fourth addition. Chopped lettuce topped with peas and onions and celery, in a glass serving dish.
  5. Next up, add your mayo layer. (Be sure to whip the sugar into it before you add it!) The top layer of a seven layer salad in a glass serving container
  6. Sprinkle your cheese on top of the dressing. The top of a seven layer salad sprinkled with grated cheese
  7. Top with crumbled bacon. Mix before serving and enjoy! A clear glass bowl of salad topped with chopped bacon

Watch the video to see Julie make this salad, step by step!

Seven layer salad topped with bacon on a marble countertop

Tips

  • Use a pretty glass trifle bowl to showcase the beautiful layering in this salad. This one is a current version of the one I used, and it works perfectly!
  • Don’t have a trifle dish or a pretty glass salad bowl? No problem, just use a 9×13 inch baking dish. I promise it tastes the same!
  • Customize this salad to your tastes. Make it vegetarian, use different cheeses, lettuce or veggies.
  • Want a sweeter dressing? Use Miracle Whip instead of mayo for a sweeter, more vintage seven layer experience.

Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!

A 7 layer salad mixed up in a glass serving dish, wooden spoons to the side

Shortcuts

  • Use a bagged salad instead of chopping your own lettuce.
  • Use packaged bacon pieces in place of frying and chopping your own.
  • Make this salad the night before and add the dressing when you serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in a 7 layer salad?

This classic salad recipe is heavy on the mayo, which means it’s higher in calories. This seven layer salad recipe feeds 12, with 458 calories per serving.

Can seven layer salad be made in advance?

Yes! You can make this salad up to 24 hours ahead of time, all the way down to the last layer. The layering process keeps the lettuce from becoming soggy in the fridge.

A 7 layer salad mixed up in a glass serving dish, wooden spoons to the side

Serving Suggestions

A 7 layer salad mixed up in a glass serving dish

How to Store

  • At Room Temperature – Keep at room temperature while serving, but transfer to the refrigerator after two hours.
  • Refrigerate – Store in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to three days. However, the salad will become soggy over storage time. The dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator as well!
  • Freeze – Salads generally shouldn’t be frozen, and this one is no exception.

Dietary Considerations

  • Gluten Free
  • Nut Free
  • Vegetarian – Leave bacon out to make this a vegetarian salad.
A white plate with a serving of seven layer salad, fork to the side

More Salad Inspiration

Seven layer salad topped with bacon on a marble countertop
5 from 2 votes

Seven Layer Salad

This Seven Layer Salad is full of vivid, bold color and bright flavors. There's a reason this classic 7 layer salad has been so popular over the years, and you'll remember it with every crunchy bite!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

  • 1 head Iceberg Lettuce (about 4-5 cups)
  • 1 cup Red Onion Diced (approximately 1 medium onion)
  • 1 cup Celery Diced
  • 1 cup Peas Frozen
  • 1 pound Bacon Chopped and Fried
  • 2 cups Mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar White Granulated
  • ½ cup Parmesan Fresh Grated

Instructions 

  • First, whip the sugar into the mayonnaise to create the seven layer salad dressing.
  • Fry your bacon and you’re ready to start layering!
  • In the bottom of serving bowl, spread the shredded lettuce.
  • Next, add frozen peas.
  • Third, add your layer of chopped red onion.
  • Chopped celery is the fourth addition.
  • Next up, add your dressing, gently spreading it across the salad so as not to disturb the layers.
  • Sprinkle your cheese on top of the dressing.
  • Top with crumbled bacon. Mix before serving and enjoy!

Julie’s Tips

Variations

  • Switch Miracle Whip for Mayo, or do half and half for a sweeter dressing.
  • Use Cheddar or Colby Jack in place of Parmesan.
  • Substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt for the dressing.
  • Switch up your veggies! Consider adding diced red or yellow peppers, green onions, cherry tomatoes and more.
  • Make it more like a club salad and add extra protein – ham, turkey etc.
  • Add even more crunch with a topping of fried onions, croutons and more.

Video

Calories: 458kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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