Classic 7 Layer Salad

Name: Classic 7 Layer Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped; 1 cup celery, diced; 1/2 cup red onion, diced; 10 ounces frozen peas, thawed; 1 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons sugar; 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded; 6 hard boiled eggs, chopped; 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

This beautiful, layered salad is a total crowd pleaser that looks stunning on any dinner table.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about a salad that you build in layers. This classic recipe is a favorite for potlucks and family gatherings because the combination of crunchy vegetables, salty bacon, and creamy dressing is simply perfect.

My best tip is to assemble this in a glass bowl so you can see all those pretty colors stacked up. It tastes best when you let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving because that gives the dressing a chance to soak into all the layers.

🧺 Ingredients

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
10 ounces frozen peas, thawed
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
6 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Start by layering the chopped lettuce at the bottom of a large glass bowl.
2
Add the celery, red onion, and peas in even layers on top of the lettuce.
3
Spread the mayonnaise over the peas, making sure to cover all the way to the edges of the bowl. Sprinkle the sugar over the top of the mayonnaise layer.
4
Continue layering with the shredded cheese, chopped hard boiled eggs, and crumbled bacon.
5
Top everything off with the cherry tomatoes.
6
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.

💡 Tips

You can assemble this salad up to 24 hours in advance, just keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to eat. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container for up to two days, though it is best eaten fresh while the lettuce is still crisp.

#salad #potluck #classic #easy side dish

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.