A Seven-Layer Salad is a colorful and hearty layered salad that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or just a delicious side dish to any meal. It’s made with fresh vegetables, cheese, and a creamy dressing, all layered for a visually stunning effect.
Seven-Layer Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 4 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas (thawed)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional, but highly recommended!)
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
2. Layer the salad:
- In a large, clear glass bowl or a trifle dish (so you can see the layers), start by layering the ingredients.
- Layer 1: Start with the chopped iceberg lettuce. Spread it evenly across the bottom.
- Layer 2: Add the halved cherry tomatoes on top of the lettuce.
- Layer 3: Follow with the sliced cucumber.
- Layer 4: Add the thinly sliced red onion.
- Layer 5: Add the thawed peas as the next layer.
- Layer 6: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese (and mozzarella, if using) on top of the peas.
- Layer 7: Top with the crumbled bacon (if using).
3. Spread the dressing:
- Spread the prepared dressing evenly over the top layer of cheese and bacon, smoothing it out with a spatula.
4. Chill the salad:
- Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you have the time. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to set.
5. Serve:
- Just before serving, give the salad a quick stir to combine all the layers, or serve it as is, where people can scoop from the layers.
This salad is easy to customize, too. You can add things like hard-boiled eggs, bell peppers, or swap the bacon for a vegetarian option. The creamy dressing is a classic touch, but you can also go with a lighter dressing if you prefer!