The Ultimate 7Layer Salad a Potluck Classic Elevated

The Ultimate 7 Layer Salad: A Potluck Classic, Elevated

Ever wonder what to bring to that upcoming barbie? How about a visually stunning and delicious dish? This 7 layer salad recipe is your answer! It's a retro classic making a comeback!

What's the Deal with This Salad?

Some say it's from the American South. Others reckon the Midwest. Honestly, wherever it came from, it's proper comfort food.

The classic layered salad is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser, perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or any gathering where you want a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious!

This is dead easy to make. Just layer stuff. Minimal cooking, mostly bacon. A complete novice can pull this off.

Prep time? 20 minutes. Cook time for the bacon? 15 minutes. Chilling is key! Expect to chill it for at least 1- 2 hours.

This recipe makes enough for 8-10 servings. Okay, right then! Let's get this salad sorted.

Why You'll Love This Salad

This salad is a nutritional superstar! You get your veggies and protein all in one go. It's packed with fiber from the lettuce and peas, and protein from the bacon.

Not to mention, it's a perfect potluck salad recipes dish because you can make-ahead salad recipes . It's also a retro salad recipes that gives you all the vintage feels.

Honestly? This recipe is special because it's simple but impressive. The layers are beautiful, and the taste is divine. And honestly, the layered salad with mayonnaise is classic for a reason.

7 Layer Salad: Gather Your Bits and Bobs

After having a butcher's at the recipe and all its bits and bobs, here's what you'll need for our layered salad ingredients :

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Salad Sorted!

Okay, right then! Let's get this 7 layer salad recipe sorted. After having a butcher's at the recipe and all its bits and bobs, here's what you'll need to create this classic layered salad .

Honestly, most of it is easy to find. No need to panic!

Main Ingredients: The Building Blocks

• Iceberg Lettuce : 1 head ( 680g ). It needs to be crisp. If it's wilted, bin it. Iceberg lettuce salad recipes are simple, and quality matters.
• Frozen Peas: 1 (10-ounce / 283g) package. Thawed, obviously. No one wants frozen peas in their 7 layer salad recipe !
• Red Onion: 1 (about 1 cup / 150g ), finely diced. Sharp and flavourful.
• Celery: 2 cups (200g) , diced. Around 3 stalks, give or take.
• Water Chestnuts: 1 (8-ounce / 227g) can, drained and sliced. Adds a lovely crunch.
• Bacon: 1 pound (454g) . Cooked crispy. Don't skimp on the bacon. Seriously.
• Mayonnaise: 1 cup (237ml) . Full fat is best, trust me.
• Sugar: 2 tablespoons (25g) . Balances the tang.
• White Vinegar: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Adds a bit of zing.
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon . Freshly ground is always better.
• Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups (220g) , shredded. Sharp cheddar gives it a kick.

Seasoning Notes: The Flavour Boost

For seasoning, we're keeping it simple but effective. Mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, and pepper is the base. Some layered salad with mayonnaise are sickly sweet, but we're aiming for balance.

Want a spicy kick? Add a pinch of cayenne to the dressing. You know? It will make the 7 layer salad recipe amazing! If you are looking for seven layer salad variations , you can always change the layered salad ingredients and go for a vegetarian 7 layer salad recipe .

Equipment Needed: The Essentials

You don't need much fancy equipment for this 7 layer salad recipe . A large glass bowl or trifle bowl salad is ideal for showing off the layers.

A skillet for cooking the bacon. Basic kitchen stuff like a cutting board , knife , and measuring cups and spoons .

If you don't have a trifle bowl, any large, clear bowl will do. Honestly, it's all about the presentation. The make-ahead salad recipes often need big bowls to store.

Okay Right Then! Let's Cook!

That's it for ingredients and equipment. Get everything ready, and let's get cooking! This 7 layer salad recipe is going to be a total winner!

Alright, right then! Let's get this salad sorted. Seriously, who doesn't love a good retro salad recipe ? Today, we are talking about a dish that's equal parts nostalgic and delicious: the 7 layer salad recipe .

After having a butcher's at the recipe and all its bits and bobs, I'm ready to share all my secrets.

Honestly, this isn't just a recipe; it's a conversation starter. A true potluck champion! We'll take a look at the classic layered salad , including seven layer salad variations .

Prepping Like a Pro for Your 7 Layer Salad

First things first, mise en place is your best mate here. Get everything chopped, measured, and ready to go. It's like lining up your ducks in a row.

You want the iceberg lettuce salad recipes ready, bacon crisp and crumbled and layered salad ingredients at arm's reach. This will save you from a right old panic halfway through.

For time saving organization tips , I like to prep the bacon the day before. Honestly, it’s a lifesaver. Just pop it in an airtight container, and bob's your uncle!

Building Your 7-Layer Masterpiece, step-by-step

1. Cook the bacon until crispy over medium heat. Drain on paper towels, crumble it and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise , 2 tablespoons sugar , 1 tablespoon white vinegar , and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
3. Spread 1 head shredded iceberg lettuce evenly in the bottom of your trifle bowl salad dish.
4. Sprinkle 1 (10-ounce package) thawed frozen peas over the lettuce.
5. Spread 1 cup diced red onion evenly over the peas.
6. Layer 2 cups diced celery over the red onion layer.
7. Spread 1 (8-ounce can) sliced water chestnuts evenly over the celery.
8. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the water chestnuts. Gently spread the dressing over the bacon layer. Don't press down! Top with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.

Pro Tips and Tricks for a Knockout Salad

Want to take your layered salad with mayonnaise from good to blinking brilliant? Here's the rub: Chill time is your best friend.

Pop that salad in the fridge for at least 1- 2 hours . This let's those flavours properly mingle. A common mistake? Overdressing.

You don't want a soggy salad. Another great option for make-ahead salad recipes is to prep all your layers separately and only assemble it right before you need it.

This will keep your classic layered salad super fresh! This also helps keep the seven layer salad calories down!

Recipe Notes: Your 7 Layer Salad Recipe Questions Answered!

Okay, right then! Let's get this 7 layer salad recipe sorted. I've been making this classic layered salad for donkey's years and I've picked up a few tricks along the way.

So, before you get started, here's the lowdown on making the best 7 layer salad, ever. Trust me, this potluck salad recipe will be the talk of the town!

Plating Perfection: Making Your Salad Look Fab

Honestly, presentation is key, innit? After having a butcher's at the recipe and all its bits and bobs, Layer your trifle bowl salad in a clear glass bowl.

This is so everyone can admire the layers. I sometimes arrange a few extra bacon bits and a sprinkle of cheese on top just before serving.

This makes it look extra tempting. As for sides, this bad boy goes great with grilled meats, or even some crusty bread.

A jug of ice-cold lemonade is the perfect drink alongside!

Keeping it Fresh: Storage Secrets

Listen up! This make-ahead salad recipe is best served fresh. It's good for about 2 days in the fridge, but the lettuce will start to wilt.

Store it covered, tightly , in the fridge at 40° F ( 4° C) or below. Freezing? Nah, don't even think about it! Freezing would make the mayonnaise separate and the lettuce go all soggy.

Avoid storing at room temperature for more than 2 hours .

Twists and Turns: 7 Layer Salad Variations

Fancy a change? No worries! How about a vegetarian version? Just ditch the bacon and load up on extra veggies like cucumber or bell peppers.

If you're watching your waistline, swap out some of the mayonnaise in the layered salad with mayonnaise dressing for Greek yogurt.

It's still creamy, but with fewer calories. For a lighter option, use reduced fat mayonnaise. It's not quite the same but it does the job!

Nutrition Nitty Gritty

Right, down to the basics. A serving of this 7 layer salad calories comes in around 450, with about 15g of protein and 35g of fat.

You also get about 15g of carbs. Now, this isn't exactly health food, but it's packed with veggies and fibre! Remember, these are just estimates.

Always adjust based on your ingredients and serving sizes.

So there you have it! Go on, give this 7 layer salad recipe a go! It's easier than falling off a log, and everyone will love it. Good as gold, I promise!