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Seven Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad is a classic make-ahead dish perfect for potlucks, holidays, and gatherings. Crisp vegetables are layered and topped with a creamy sweet dressing, shredded cheese, and crispy turkey bacon. The layers create a beautiful presentation and a perfect balance of textures and flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the salad:
1 small head iceberg lettuce, chopped (about 5 cups)
1 cup chopped red onion (about 1 small)
2 cups chopped green pepper (about 3 medium)
4 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped
1 ½ cups chopped Roma tomatoes (about 3 medium)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
68 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

For the dressing:
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, layer the ingredients in the following order. Start with the chopped iceberg lettuce as the base.

Add the chopped red onion evenly over the lettuce.

Layer the chopped green peppers on top of the onion.

Add the roughly chopped hard-boiled eggs as the next layer.

Spread the chopped Roma tomatoes evenly over the eggs.

Add the thawed frozen peas on top of the tomatoes.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise and granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the dressing is smooth.

Spread the prepared dressing evenly over the layer of peas, sealing the edges to help keep the salad fresh.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the dressing.

Finally, top the salad with the crumbled bacon.

Cover and refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. This salad is best when chilled for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to blend.

Notes

Use a clear glass bowl or trifle dish to showcase the colorful layers of the salad. Chilling the salad before serving allows the dressing to soak slightly into the layers while keeping the vegetables crisp. If preparing ahead, add the turkey bacon just before serving to maintain its crisp texture. Variations can include additional layers such as chopped cucumbers, shredded carrots, or sliced radishes depending on personal preference.