7 Layer Salad

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jun 30, 2025

This traditional 7 Layer Salad recipe is one of my favorites, packed with true Southern charm! I layer lettuce, bacon, peas, cheese, onions, tomatoes, and boiled eggs to create a hearty salad, all drizzled with a creamy mayo dressing. It’s one of my go-tos for potlucks, barbecues, and simple lunches!

A 7 layer salad with bacon, peas, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cheese, and eggs in a bowl. - 5

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Easy 7 Layer Salad Recipe

This classic show-stopper salad is savory, sweet, and full of flavor. It really is seven whole layers of delicious ingredients!

This classic salad originated in the 1950s in the South, where it was called 7-layer pea salad. Since its inception, many variations have been created, and what I love best is that I can modify or adapt the salad to what I’ve got on hand and what I’m in the mood for.

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Salad

▢ 1 lb. bacon
▢ 4 large eggs
▢ 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
▢ 2 cups grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
▢ 1 red onion chopped
▢ 10 oz. freshly shredded cheddar cheese
▢ 10 oz. frozen green peas thawed (1 package)

For the Dressing

▢ 1¼ cups mayonnaise
▢ 1 tbsp honey
▢ 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
▢ ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Video

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Make sure the foil goes up the sides too.
Cook the bacon for 17-20 minutes, or until crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. 1 lb. bacon
Once cool, crumble the bacon into pieces.
Place the eggs in a small pot and cover with cool water. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, cover, and set your timer for 8 minutes. 4 large eggs
Add ice and cold water to a medium bowl. Once 8 minutes have passed, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to the bowl of ice water. Let sit until they are cool enough to peel.
Once cool, peel and chop into large bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients. 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1¼ cups mayonnaise
In your serving dish, spread the lettuce into one even layer. 1 head iceberg lettuce
Top with the tomatoes, red onion, and hard boiled eggs. 2 cups grape tomatoes, 1 red onion
Pour the dressing evenly over the eggs. Then top with cheese, peas, and crumbled bacon. 10 oz. freshly shredded cheddar cheese, 10 oz. frozen green peas
Serve and enjoy!

Equipment

Baking Sheet

Becky’s Tips

You can cook the bacon however you’d like . In a skillet, in the oven, etc. Just make sure to crumble it before adding it to the salad.
If your onions are too strong, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes to remove some of their bite.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make 7 Layer Salad Step by Step

Preheat the oven and prep a baking sheet: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Make sure the foil goes up the sides too.

Prepare the bacon: Cook 1 lb. bacon for 17-20 minutes, or until crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Once cool, crumble the bacon into pieces.

Cook the eggs: Place 4 eggs in a small pot and cover with cool water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover, and set your timer for 8 minutes.

Cool the eggs: Add ice and cold water to a medium bowl. Once 8 minutes have passed, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to the bowl of ice water. Let them sit until they are cool enough to peel.

A wooden cutting board with bite sized pieces of egg. - 9

Chop the eggs : Once cool, peel and chop into large bite-sized pieces.

A whisk in a bowl with salad dressing. - 10

Prepare the dressing : In a small bowl, stir together 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, and 1¼ cups mayonnaise.

Layer the salad : In your serving dish, spread the lettuce into one even layer. Top with 2 cups tomatoes, 1 red onion, and the hard boiled eggs.

Dress the salad : Pour the dressing evenly over the eggs. Then top with 10 oz. cheese, 10 oz. peas, and the crumbled bacon.

Salad with layers of ingredients, in a large glass dish. - 13

Serve: Serve and enjoy!

Variations on the Original Seven Layer Salad

This is the kind of salad you can really get creative with to make it your own. Start with a base of your favorite lettuce (go for something hearty like iceberg or romaine) and build up from there. Here are a few options to change things up:

Vegetables : chopped tomatoes, white onion or shallots; avocado, broccoli, or green beans
Dips: pico de gallo or guacamole
Protein : edamame , firm tofu
Toppings: chopped nuts, dried fruit, tortilla chips , croutons , or cheese

How to Store

Store leftover 7 layer salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy chilled. I do not recommend freezing this salad.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this seven layer salad as a side along with smash burgers , or pair it with our baked turkey sliders . It also makes a great contrast to a warm, comforting bowl of hamburger helper , bringing balance to your plate with every bite.

A bowl of 7 layer salad with bacon and peas. - 14

Love the layered look? Try the 7-Layer Dip too – it uses the same idea with Tex-Mex flavors like beans, guacamole, and salsa, making it perfect for scooping with chips.

more nostalgic recipes we love

Waldorf Salad

Watergate Salad

Creamy Pea Salad

Marshmallow Salad

A salad with bacon and peas in a bowl. - 23

7 Layer Salad Recipe

Equipment

Baking Sheet