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This 7 Layer Salad recipe is a classic potluck salad! Lettuce is layered with fresh crunchy veggies, cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing. You can make it ahead and it’s the perfect spring or summer salad!
There’s a reason 7 layer salad is a classic – the combination of flavors, and crunchy textures are always a crowd pleaser! There are a lot of variations salad, but they all have one thing in common – they have seven distinct layers and some kind of creamy dressing. It makes a great make-ahead delicious side dish because the dressing is on top of the salad, so the lettuce doesn’t get soggy on the bottom.
Maybe you’ve seen Pioneer Woman seven-layer salad recipe with eggs or other versions with all kinds of different salad ingredients? From Betty Crocker to Paula Deen, everyone seems to have their spin on this retro salad recipe.
What’s in Layered Pea Salad?
- Peas: You can use thawed frozen green peas or fresh green peas
- Bacon: Cook it until it’s crisp.
- Lettuce: Shredded or chopped romaine lettuce or swap iceberg
- Green layers: Chopped celery, green onion, and green peppers
- Dressing: Plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, Ranch Dressing Mix
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is the best!
There are lots of other variations – see below for ideas!
How to make 7 Layered Salad
- You’ll want to cook and cool your peas (either fresh or frozen).
- Cook the bacon until it’s crispy then drain it and crumble or chop it to small pieces.
- It’s best to use a large trifle bowl or some sort of clear glass bowl so you can see the layers in the salad.
- The lettuce goes in the bottom of the bowl and is topped, layer by layer, with the other vegetables.
- Of course you can use your favorite bottled salad dressing, but I did a semi-homemade ranch dressing with sour cream, yogurt, and ranch seasoning mix.
- The best part is that you layer salad dressing on the top so it doesn’t make anything soggy!
Storing Leftovers
- You can make the salad ahead of time but don’t add the dressing or top layers until serving. Once you add the dressing it’s best to serve it within a few hours.
- Store any leftovers in the fridge, but once the dressing has mixed with the greens it won’t last vert long.
Expert Tip
- I highly recommend serving it in a big glass dish or a trifle dish so you can see all the colorful layers.
- This salad is best served the same day it’s made.
7 Layer Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces frozen peas
- 8 strips bacon
- 1 head romaine lettuce shredded or chopped small
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped green onion
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet ranch dressing
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook peas according to package direction and drain well. Set aside to cool.
- Cook bacon until crispy, drain and crumble. Set aside.
- Add the lettuce to a large glass bowl. Layer celery, green onion, and green pepper. Add the cooled peas.
- Stir together yogurt and sour cream, add ranch dressing packet and stir to combine. Spread yogurt mixture over the top of the peas to the edges of the bowl. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and cheese.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving. May be prepared 24 hours ahead of serving time.
Recipe Notes
- You can substitute mayonnaise for the yogurt or sour cream, if you prefer.
Recipe Nutrition
7 Layer Salad is a layered pea salad with 7 layers of amazing flavor – bacon and cheese and a creamy dressing. This is the perfect salad recipe for potlucks!
