We’re kicking it old style at present with a Southern favourite that was a staple at our summer time gatherings rising up: 7 Layer Salad.
A stunner with regards to presentation, conventional 7 layer salad is made with lettuce (normally iceberg lettuce), peas, tomatoes, bacon, a candy mayo-based dressing, cheddar cheese, and arduous boiled eggs.
- Layer salad isn’t tossed.
- As an alternative, friends use lengthy tongs to achieve down by means of the salad from the highest and seize a few of each layer.
- A salad you stack in a fantastic huge trifle bowl may sound odd, however at a sizzling summer time potluck, it hits the spot.
In the event you grew up within the Midwest, seeing a “salad” that accommodates extra bacon, eggs, cheese, and mayo than precise greens in all probability received’t shock you (proper this option to Wholesome Potato Salad, Ramen Salad, and Shrimp Pasta Salad should you please).
In the event you’re a longtime lover of layer salad, I do know you’ll recognize the recent take I’ve on it right here.
- I swapped the iceberg for extra flavorful and nutritious romaine.
- I added additional veggies for coloration and crunch.
- The normally bland dressing is amped up with Parmesan and garlic.
For individuals who recognize their salads on the lighter/extra wholesome aspect, you’ll love my model too.
- As an alternative of mayo (or Miracle Whip) and sugar within the dressing, I used Greek yogurt and honey.
- I lower down on the bacon just a little. The unique requires a full pound, which (belief me, I by no means thought I’d say this) actually was an excessive amount of. It disrupted the concord of the opposite substances.
- For cheese, this recipe opts for an additional sharp cheddar. You may get away with much less however nonetheless have the full-on style impact.
The right way to Make 7 Layer Salad
You’ll discover totally different variations of traditional 7 layer salads on-line.
Even “conventional” sources for a layered salad recipe (Kraft, Betty Crocker, Pioneer Girl) don’t totally agree.
The beneath relies on the model my household ate rising up at picnics.
Use it as a place to begin and be happy to swap in different greens for the layers.
You possibly can even have variations with greater than 7 layers should you please!
- For instance, you are able to do a 7 layer salad with cauliflower florets for extra vitamin and crunch (swap it for the peas to cut back the carbs).
- For extra creaminess, a layer of diced avocado wouldn’t be remiss.
- Much more layer concepts: broccoli, celery, cucumber, corn, purple bell peppers. Use what you’re keen on!
The Elements
- Romaine. Crisp, cool, and durable, romaine is the best selection for this salad. Its texture can stand as much as the hefty load of different substances and received’t change into soggy as shortly.
- Bacon. Crispy, smoky bacon is a must have element of this salad. Bacon additionally helps make this salad extra filling. You can also swap the bacon for diced ham for the same impact.
- Onerous Boiled Eggs. A creamy complement to the crispy bacon. The eggs add wealthy taste, protein, and wholesome fat. (You need to use my Prompt Pot Boiled Eggs recipe to simply make them!)
- Purple Onion. Soaking the purple onion in water first removes its harshness, leaving only a trace of chunk. You can too swap inexperienced onions, no have to soak.
- Tomatoes. Juicy cherry tomatoes add an exquisite sweetness to the salad and style incredible with the eggs and bacon.
- Frozen Peas. A simple means so as to add extra veggies. Whereas not everybody loves inexperienced peas in salad, right here they work.
- Further Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The daring, tacky taste of additional sharp cheddar doesn’t get misplaced amongst the opposite substances.
- Greek Yogurt Dressing. A easy mixture of nonfat Greek yogurt, Parmesan, honey (my swap for white sugar), apple cider vinegar, salt, and garlic powder. It’s creamy, tacky, tangy, salty, and just a little candy.
The Instructions
- Prepare dinner and crumble the bacon. Soak the purple onion, then pat it dry. Onerous boil the eggs, then peel and chop them.
- Stir the dressing substances collectively.
- Add the romaine to a serving bowl.
- High the chopped lettuce with tomatoes and onions.
- Sprinkle on the peas and eggs.
- Unfold the dressing excessive, ending with shredded cheese and bacon. Chill for a minimum of 1 hour.
- Serve utilizing salad tongs and ENJOY!
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Cowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate leftover salad for as much as 2 days.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 1 day upfront, arduous boil the eggs, cook dinner the bacon, and soak/chop the purple onion. You can too chop the tomatoes and romaine and shred the cheddar cheese. Refrigerate every ingredient till you’re prepared to complete the recipe.
What to Serve with 7 Layer Salad
Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe
Present-Stopping Trifle Bowl
This trifle bowl is dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and fridge protected. Use it to indicate off layered salads, desserts, or fill it with sweet for a enjoyable social gathering favor.
Layer on the love!
Incessantly Requested Questions
I believe the perfect dish for a 7 layer salad is a trifle bowl (like this one). In the event you don’t personal a trifle bowl, any massive, flat-bottomed clear glass bowl (like this enjoyable possibility) will work advantageous.
To hurry up the prep time for this salad, you should purchase arduous boiled eggs from the grocery retailer.
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces center-cut bacon
- 4 massive eggs
- 2/3 cup chopped purple onion
- 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce from about 2 romaine hearts (12 ounces chopped romaine)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 (10-ounce) package deal frozen peas thawed
- 2/3 cup freshly shredded additional sharp cheddar cheese use yellow cheddar for essentially the most coloration distinction
For the Dressing:
- 1 1/4 cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt use low fats or entire for a extra decadent salad
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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Prepare dinner and crumble or chop the bacon (see Baked Bacon within the Oven and Air Fryer Bacon for straightforward strategies). Place the purple onion in a small bowl and canopy with chilly water. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
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Onerous boil the eggs: Carry a medium pot of salted water to a boil. With a slotted spoon, gently decrease the eggs into the boiling water. Modify the warmth to keep up a delicate, regular simmer. Let the eggs simmer at this low, light boil for 8 minutes for barely jammy yolks (or cook dinner as much as 9 minutes for absolutely set yolks). Within the meantime, put together a big ice bathtub. Use the slotted spoon to fastidiously switch the eggs to the ice bathtub. Gently crack the shells with the again of the spoon, then return them to the water (this makes them simpler to peel). Peel and chop.
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Put together the dressing: in a medium bowl, stir collectively the Greek yogurt, Parmesan, honey, vinegar, salt, and garlic powder. Style and regulate seasoning as desired.
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Place the romaine within the backside of a LARGE, flat, clear serving bowl—you need to have the ability to see the layers and unfold them evenly; a trifle bowl works properly when you have one.
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Subsequent, construct the salad layers, spreading every evenly. Begin with the tomatoes and purple onions.
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Add the peas and eggs.
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Unfold the dressing evenly excessive. Layer on the cheese, then the bacon. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (or in a single day).
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To serve, use lengthy salad tongs or an analogous lengthy spoon that can will let you attain down by means of the layers. Ensure that every serving has just a little of every thing.
- TIP: Relying upon the scale of your serving bowl, you might want to regulate the portions of every layer. Use your judgment and have enjoyable with it.
- TO STORE: Cowl and refrigerate leftover 7 layer salad for as much as 2 days. Any unused dressing could also be saved for 2-3 days within the fridge in an hermetic container or mason jar.
Serving: 1(of 10)Energy: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 13gFats: 15gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 6gTrans Fats: 0.04gLdl cholesterol: 94mgPotassium: 404mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3947IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 2mg
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