Description
Paula Deen’s 7 Layer Salad blends Southern comfort with fresh, crisp ingredients in a classic potluck favorite. Layers of lettuce, peas, bacon, cheese, and creamy dressing create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chopped romaine lettuce
- 4 cups (950 milliliters) seeded and chopped tomatoes
- 4 cups (950 milliliters) seeded and chopped cucumbers
- 2 cups (475 milliliters) sliced radishes
- 1 (16-ounce/454 grams) package thawed frozen baby peas
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sliced green onions
Protein and Dairy:
- 1½ cups (360 milliliters) shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (475 milliliters) sour cream or light sour cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise or light mayonnaise
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Seasonings and Optional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sugar, optional
Instructions
- Establish a crisp foundation by arranging a uniform layer of romaine lettuce across the base of a transparent glass container or trifle dish, creating a vibrant green backdrop.
- Distribute chopped tomatoes evenly over the lettuce, followed by a layer of meticulously diced cucumbers, ensuring complete coverage and visual appeal.
- Combine fresh green peas and thinly sliced green onions in a separate mixing bowl, then carefully spread this verdant mixture across the cucumber layer.
- Artfully arrange thinly sliced radishes atop the pea and onion mixture, adding a peppery crunch and bright color contrast.
- Craft a velvety dressing by whisking sour cream, mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, and optional granulated sugar until the mixture reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
- Delicately drape the creamy dressing over the radish layer, using gentle motions to ensure complete coverage and seal the underlying ingredients.
- Generously sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese (approximately 1 cup or 4 ounces) across the dressing, creating a golden, textured surface.
- Scatter crisp, crumbled bacon pieces (about 1/2 cup or 2 ounces) over the cheese layer, distributing them evenly for maximum flavor in each serving.
- Securely cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours or up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Before serving, remove from refrigerator and allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften and enhance its flavor profile.
Notes
- Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate overnight to allow ingredients to mingle and develop deep, harmonious taste profiles that elevate the entire dish.
- Precision Matters: Carefully pack each layer tightly, spreading ingredients evenly to guarantee a perfect balance in every single bite.
- Smart Prep Strategy: Slice vegetables and crisp bacon in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to maximize freshness and save precious morning time.
- Visual Appeal Counts: Select a transparent container that showcases beautiful layered textures and helps you monitor each ingredient’s placement perfectly.
- Moisture Management: Apply dressing strategically along container edges to seal in freshness and prevent ingredients from becoming limp or dried out.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 3.9g
- Sodium: 317.7mg
- Saturated Fat: 5.2g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 5.7g
- Cholesterol: 55.9mg