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    Seven Layer Salad

    Nov 30, 2021 · 4 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe

    This classic recipe for seven layer salad has a delicious dressing and is easy to make. This is the best healthy salad with sour cream and mayo in the dressing. This traditional recipe is gluten free and just like the old fashioned seven layer salads I remember growing up.

    a glass trifle dish of seven layer salad next to some white salad plates and silver forks

    This salad is a classic that we had at all the holidays growing up. It's really easy to make and is always I hit. I love to make this salad the day before so it's one less thing to worry about on holidays.

    Ideal as a make ahead salad, this cold salad can be prepped the night before, making it a stress-free option for parties and large gatherings.

    Whether you’re hosting or contributing to a salad for a crowd, the seven layer salad recipe remains a timeless favorite. It’s especially popular as a cookout side dish, complete with savory toppings like crispy bacon, offering a perfect balance of freshness and indulgence.

    If you are looking for more salad recipes try my Chopped Wedge Layer Salad, my Gluten Free BLT Pasta Salad, my Southwestern Style Coleslaw or my Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing.

    You can find all of my salad recipes here: Gluten Free Salad Recipes

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Supplies
    • Storage
    • More Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • Seven Layer Salad
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Top Tip

    Ingredients

    • Iceberg Lettuce
    • Frozen Peas
    • Eggs
    • Green Onions
    • Tomatoes
    • Bacon
    • Cheddar Cheese
    • Mayonnaise
    • Sour Cream
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Sea Salt
    • Coarse Ground Black Pepper

    Instructions

    Rinse iceberg lettuce and then spin in a salad spinner to get all of the excess water off. Chop the lettuce and cover the bottom of your trifle bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Spread thawed peas over the lettuce layer.

    Spread the chopped hard boiled eggs over the pea layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Chop the green onions and spread over the hard boiled egg layer.

    Coarsely chop the tomatoes and spread over the green onion layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Crumble the bacon over the tomato layer.

    Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the bacon layer.

    In a mixing bowl whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar until thoroughly combined. Spread this dressing over the last cheese layer. Spread the dressing all the way to the edges to seal the salad. If you would like to you can sprinkle the top with cheese, bacon and green onions. However, I like mine with just the dressing.

    Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one day before serving.

    Supplies

    Storage

    Store the leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    More Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • Chopped Wedge Layer Salad
    • Gluten Free BLT Pasta Salad
    • Gluten Free Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Pineapple Coleslaw

    I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can’t get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!

    Print
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    Seven Layer Salad


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Elaine VanVleck
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 7 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This classic recipe for seven layer salad has a delicious dressing and is easy to make. This is the best healthy salad with sour cream and mayo in the dressing. This traditional recipe is gluten free and just like the old fashioned seven layer salads I remember growing up.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 medium head Iceberg Lettuce
    • 1 cup Frozen Peas, thawed
    • 6 hard boiled Eggs, chopped
    • 1 cup Green Onions, chopped
    • 2 medium Tomatoes, coarsely chopped
    • 7 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
    • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
    • 1 cup Mayonnaise
    • 1 cup Sour Cream
    • 2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
    • ½ tsp. Sea Salt, divided
    • ½ tsp. Coarse Ground Black Pepper, divided

    Instructions

    Rinse iceberg lettuce and then spin in a salad spinner to get all of the excess water off. Chop the lettuce and cover the bottom of your trifle bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Spread thawed peas over the lettuce layer.

    Spread the chopped hard boiled eggs over the pea layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Chop the green onions and spread over the hard boiled egg layer.

    Coarsely chop the tomatoes and spread over the green onion layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Crumble the bacon over the tomato layer.

    Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the bacon layer.

    In a mixing bowl whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar until thoroughly combined. Spread this dressing over the last cheese layer. Spread the dressing all the way to the edges to seal the salad. If you would like to you can sprinkle the top with cheese, bacon and green onions. However, I like mine with just the dressing.

    Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one day before serving.

    Notes

    If you want a low carb version, replace the sugar in the dressing with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar.

    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Chopped
    • Cuisine: Gluten Free

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @smallfarmbiglife on Instagram and hashtag it #smallfarmbiglife

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can seven layer salad be made ahead?

    Yes! I actually like this salad the most when it's been made a day ahead. I like the vegetables and eggs really cold and for the dressing to have time for the flavors to meld.

    Make sure your lettuce is really dry so it doesn't get soggy. The recipe calls for spreading the dressing over the top and sealing the salad underneath. This will keep the salad fresh and crisp for a day in the fridge.

    Is seven layer salad low carb?

    Yes it can be. This recipe calls for sugar in the dressing, but it's not absolutely necessary. If you are low carb replace the sugar with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. The dressing will still be delicious and you will have a perfect meal.

    How long will seven layer salad last?

    We don't usually have a lot of leftovers with this yummy salad, but if you do you can store leftovers in the fridge for one day. The key is to not mix the dressing in.

    I serve this salad by scooping it out and placing it on plates with the dressing on top. Then each person can stir their own dressing in. When you want to store this salad place the ingredients on the bottom and the dressing on top of those. Do not stir them together! Stirring them together will make the salad soggy for the next day.

    Top Tip

    The salad will last longer if you don't mix the dressing into the other salad ingredients before you store it.

    More Gluten Free Recipes

    • 75+ Easy Gluten Free Summer Recipes
    • The Best Gluten Free Summer Salads
    • 15 Gluten Free Mother's Day Brunch Recipes
    • Gluten Free Mother's Day Recipe Ideas

    Sharing is caring!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Darlene Goodman says

      January 12, 2020 at 1:30 am

      Where do I purchase the dish for salad

      Reply
      • smallfarmbiglife says

        January 12, 2020 at 4:15 pm

        Hi Darlene! I got this trifle bowl at Walmart years ago. Here is a similar dish at Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/European-Trifle-Bowl-Pedestal-Round-Dessert-Display-Stand-Laying-Cakes-Pastries-Baked-Goods-Modern-Design-Crystal-Clear-Borosilicate-Glass-X-Quart/727287968 and a similar dish on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-Monaco-Trifle-Bowl/dp/B0002YSLXC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=trifle+bowl&qid=1578874461&sr=8-3

        Hope that helps!

        Reply
    2. Tania says

      May 12, 2025 at 12:25 am

      This salad is Delicious & so easy to make. Highly recommend!

      Reply
      • smallfarmbiglife says

        May 12, 2025 at 1:37 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe Tania! Thank you for leaving a comment. ~Elaine

        Reply

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