Easy Seven Layer Salad Recipe - Easy Budget Recipes

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Seven Layer Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing side with crisp layers, creamy dressing, and bold flavor. It’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and holiday gatherings.

A close up picture of a 7 Layer Salad in a trifle serving dish.

7 Layer Salad on a white plate and in a trifle dish in the background.

Table of Contents

Old Fashioned 7 Layer Salad Recipe Tips

This salad is a nostalgic classic that brings me right back to my grandma’s kitchen. I’ve been making it for years, after watching my Grandma, and am sharing my best tips with you.

Dry your lettuce well. If there is extra moisture, it will make the salad soggy. A salad spinner or paper towels work well to remove the excess moisture.
Use a clear bowl. I use a trifle bowl, but you can also use a glass dish to show off all the layers.
Use freshly grated cheese. It tastes way better than pre-shredded.
Serve with a long spoon. This is a little trick to help you dig all the way to the bottom of the dish and get all the yummy layers on your plate.

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $11.67

Per Serving: $1.45

Here is everything you need to make this salad, along with a few substitution recommendations and tips.

ingredients for making Seven Layer Salad with text overlay

Mayonnaise (½ cup – $0.60) – Use mayo or Miracle Whip.
Sour cream (½ cup – $0.75) – Greek yogurt is a great substitute.
Sugar (1 Tablespoon – $0.05) – You can use honey as an alternative.
Salt and pepper (To taste – $0.02) – Any type of salt and pepper will work.
Iceberg Lettuce (½ head – $1.25) – Romaine or mixed greens can be used as a substitute.
Hard-boiled eggs (4 large – $1.00) – For tips on how to easily make hard-boiled eggs, check out this post.
Cooked bacon (8 strips – $2.40) – When I am short on time, I like to use pre-cooked bacon.
Cherry tomatoes (1½ cups – $2.00) – Grape tomatoes will also work.
Red onion (½ cup – $0.40) – Be sure to cut the onion evenly for even distribution.
Frozen peas (1 cup – $0.50) – Let the peas thaw before adding them.
Mild cheddar cheese (2 cups – $2.50) – Freshly grated cheese is best.
Green onions green (4 – $0.50) – Use chives if you do not have green onions.

The recipe cost is calculated based on the required amounts and may vary due to fluctuating grocery prices.

How To Make 7 Layer Salad

Make the dressing and layer the ingredients in the bowl. Let me show you how.

Whisk the dressing ingredients. Then set it aside.
Add the ingredients to a trifle bowl, starting with the lettuce.
Slice the eggs and add them along the sides of the bowl.
Layer the remaining ingredients, spreading the dressing over the top layer.
Sprinkle with additional cheese and peas before covering with plastic wrap.
Chill for four hours before serving.

a collage showing how to make layered salad by adding the garnishes, and serving in the trifle bowl

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this is a great make-ahead recipe because it needs to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. But it can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to serve.

Can I use bagged lettuce instead of fresh?

Sure, just be sure it is dry and crisp before adding it to the salad bowl to avoid a soggy salad.

Can I add other ingredients?

Definitely. This is a very flexible recipe. Add any of your favorites, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, chopped celery, red kidney beans, fresh herbs like dill, cauliflower, Parmesan cheese, avocado, crunchy fried onions, bleu cheese, shredded carrots, etc.

Seven Layer Salad

Recipe Cost 11.67

Serving Cost 1.45

Author Jess Jankowski

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Seven Layer Salad is a delicious, crunchy, bright salad recipe that’s great for potlucks, BBQs, and even holidays like Thanksgiving.

Servings: 8 people

Prep Time 25

Total Time 4 25

Equipment

measuring cups
cutting board
chef's knife
Measuring spoons
whisk
Trifle bowl
mixing bowl

Ingredients

DRESSING:

½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
1 Tablespoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

SALAD:

½ head 6-8 cups lettuce, chopped *** see notes
4 large eggs hard-boiled and sliced lengthwise
8 strips bacon cooked and roughly chopped
1 ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
½ cup red onion finely chopped
1 cup frozen peas thawed
2 cups mild cheddar cheese grated
4 green onions green parts sliced thinly, for garnish

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

MAKE DRESSING:

In a medium bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until well combined, set aside.

PREP SALAD:

In a large glass serving bowl with straight sides(we use trifle bowls), add lettuce.
Slice and add the eggs, layering them along the sides.
Continue with additional ingredients, adding the layers one on top of the other.
Spread the dressing over the top layer.
Sprinkle with additional shredded cheese and peas and cover with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Before serving, add more bacon and green onions to the top, if desired.

Notes

Recipe Tips

The amount of lettuce needed depends on the size of the serving bowl you are using.
You may need to adjust the other ingredients depending on the size of your serving bowl.
There are so many variations to this salad out there, so feel free to use your favorite ingredients.
Sometimes I like to give the seven layer salad dressing a flavor kick by adding ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

Storage Tips

Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 days. You can make the salad 24 hours ahead of time.

Nutrition

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Grandma's 7 Layer Salad in a trifle dish.