7 Layer Salad Healthy Summer Holiday Side Wellplated Com

A stunner when it comes to presentation, traditional 7 layer salad is made with lettuce (usually iceberg lettuce), peas, tomatoes, bacon, a sweet mayo-based dressing, cheddar cheese, and hard boiled eggs.

Layer salad is not tossed.Instead, guests use long tongs to reach down through the salad from the top and grab some of every layer.A salad you stack in a great big trifle bowl might sound odd, but at a hot summer potluck, it hits the spot.

If you grew up in the Midwest, seeing a “salad” that contains more bacon, eggs, cheese, and mayo than actual greens probably won’t surprise you (right this way to Healthy Potato Salad, Ramen Salad, and Shrimp Pasta Salad if you please). If you’re a longtime lover of layer salad, I know you’ll appreciate the fresh take I have on it here.

I swapped the iceberg for more flavorful and nutritious romaine.I added extra veggies for color and crunch.The usually bland dressing is amped up with Parmesan and garlic.

For those who appreciate their salads on the lighter/more healthy side, you’ll love my version too.

Instead of mayo (or Miracle Whip) and sugar in the dressing, I used Greek yogurt and honey.I cut down on the bacon a little. The original calls for a full pound, which (trust me, I never thought I’d say this) really was too much. It disrupted the harmony of the other ingredients.For cheese, this recipe opts for an extra sharp cheddar. You can get away with less but still have the full-on taste effect.

How to Make 7 Layer Salad

You’ll find different versions of classic 7 layer salads online. Even “traditional” sources for a layered salad recipe (Kraft, Betty Crocker, Pioneer Woman) don’t entirely agree. The below is based on the version my family ate growing up at picnics. Use it as a starting point and feel free to swap in other vegetables for the layers. You can even have variations with more than 7 layers if you please!

For example, you can do a 7 layer salad with cauliflower florets for more nutrition and crunch (swap it for the peas to reduce the carbs).For additional creaminess, a layer of diced avocado would not be remiss.Even more layer ideas: broccoli, celery, cucumber, corn, red bell peppers. Use what you love!

The Ingredients

Romaine. Crisp, cool, and sturdy, romaine is the ideal choice for this salad. Its texture can stand up to the hefty load of other ingredients and won’t become soggy as quickly. Bacon. Crispy, smoky bacon is a must-have component of this salad. Bacon also helps make this salad more filling. You also can swap the bacon for diced ham for a similar effect.

Hard Boiled Eggs. A creamy complement to the crispy bacon. The eggs add rich flavor, protein, and healthy fats. (You can use my Instant Pot Boiled Eggs recipe to easily make them!)Red Onion. Soaking the red onion in water first removes its harshness, leaving just a hint of bite. You can also swap green onions, no need to soak.Tomatoes. Juicy cherry tomatoes add a wonderful sweetness to the salad and taste fantastic with the eggs and bacon. Frozen Peas. An easy way to add more veggies. While not everyone loves green peas in salad, here they work.Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The bold, cheesy flavor of extra sharp cheddar doesn’t get lost amongst the other ingredients. Greek Yogurt Dressing. A simple mix of nonfat Greek yogurt, Parmesan, honey (my swap for white sugar), apple cider vinegar, salt, and garlic powder. It’s creamy, cheesy, tangy, salty, and a little sweet.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate leftover salad for up to 2 days.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Trifle Dish. Perfect for serving this 7 layer salad. Salad Tongs. The ideal way to serve this salad. Measuring Spoons. These stack together nicely, making for easy, neat storage.

Layer on the love! A traditional seven layer salad recipe calls for mayonnaise or sour cream, or a mix. Greek yogurt is my preferred healthy swap, though you can swap it for a 50/50 mix of these two if you want.