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My mom is the queen of layered salad recipes. I grew up on them. Maybe not every day, but anytime we had extended family or friends over, there would definitely be lots and lots of layered salads. Coming up with this easy 7-layer salad recipe with mayonnaise has made me proud to add to my mom’s collection.
The Best Layered Salad Looks Like a Rainbow
This version is the best of both worlds. I took some inspiration from my mom’s layered salad recipes, but also kept it close enough to a traditional 7-layer salad that Americans are used to. There are actually quite a few similarities. The layers and the mayo-based dressing are a couple of the major ones, and it was perfectly natural for me to make my seven layer salad with mayonnaise, too.
Like I mentioned before when I talked about this Mediterranean salad recipe, lettuce and other greens are generally less common in Russian salad recipes. My mom’s layered salads usually omitted them. I do love my greens, though, especially the fact that they add volume to salads. So, I opted to include Romaine lettuce in this seven layer salad recipe.
My Other Low Carb Recipes:
My Other Low Carb Recipes:
Making a recipe for 7-layer salad definitely brought back those childhood memories. My mom’s 24 hour salads will always hold an association with large family gatherings. Being an only child, they meant fun times with my older cousins!
At first, I wanted to call this a rainbow salad, but I actually already have another rainbow salad recipe I love. Seven layer salad was more fitting, anyway, since it reminds me of my mom’s layered salads. It meant so much to me that she loved this salad, too!
Overnight Salad for Convenience
Now as an adult, I can see why my mom loved layered salads so much. Being an overnight salad, this 7-layer salad with mayonnaise makes your life so much easier. And, I’m aaaaaall about easy recipes, as I know many of you are.
Assembling a 24-hour salad in advance means less stress on the day people are coming over. Just take it out of the fridge and it’s ready to go!
This is the first overnight salad recipe on the blog, which is a little surprising. I’m always looking for low carb make-ahead recipes like this! Caprese salad skewers and cold crab dip are a couple of my other recent favorites.
Some of my other salad recipes, like cauliflower potato salad, and olivie salad work well in advance as well. This is my first layered one, though, and it’s the first overnight salad I’ve made that works well with lettuce. Greens don’t usually do too well when stored too long, but in this salad it works!
How To Make 7-Layer Salad
Assembling the layered salad is incredibly easy. It does take some time to cut up all the veggies, but there really isn’t anything difficult about it. It looks a lot more complicated than it is!
Once you have everything in bite size pieces, layer all the veggies in something large and clear. That way, you’ll be able to see all the layers. I like a trifle bowl like this, but a simple glass bowl will work just as well.
Whip up the 7-layer salad dressing and spread it over the last layer. I’m not sure if we can even call it a dressing, since it’s really just sour cream and mayo.
Some recipes for seven layer salad add sugar to the dressing, but I don’t find that necessary. I think it tastes delicious without any sweetener at all. You could easily add some sweetener if you prefer it to be more sweet.
I’ll bet this recipe would work fine with some other kind of dressing, too. I might try that next time. What about homemade ranch dressing for a variation?
Finally, finish by sprinkling shredded cheese and bacon on top.
Cover the salad and refrigerate it for a couple of hours. Overnight is even better. That’s why they call it an overnight salad, right?
Seven Layer Salad Dressing
The dressing in this 7-layer salad recipe is incredibly simple. It’s just mayonnaise and sour cream! My mom would be proud – these are the staples in Russian layered salads.
It’s actually pretty easy to make your own mayonnaise at home, but often times I buy it for the sake of convenience. Not all brands of mayonnaise are created equal, though. Did you know that many of them contain genetically modified oils and artificial preservatives?
That’s why I was excited to discover Primal Kitchen mayonnaise made with avocado oil. Avocado oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, has been shown to improve mitochondrial function, decrease oxidative stress in the brain, reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol levels, support cardiovascular health, and help with weight management (sources here, here, and here).
Primal Kitchen mayo is also free of dairy, soy, sugar, and gluten, all of which I prefer to avoid. They even use cage-free eggs to make it. And the most important part: it tastes absolutely delicious!
Since I love this brand of mayonnaise so much, I’m excited to host a giveaway for my readers. Even though the mayo is my favorite, they also have amazing oils, salad dressings, and bars.
Check out the giveaway below – over $200 worth of goodies included!
GIVEAWAY: $200 in Primal Kitchen Products!
I’m partnering with Primal Kitchen in a brand new GIVEAWAY to support your low carb, primal journey!
One lucky winner is going to receive over $200 of PK goodies, including:
- Mayo
- Chipotle Lime Mayo
- Avocado Oil
- Extra Virgin Avocado Oil
- 5 Avocado Oil Dressings
- 1 Vanilla or Chocolate Collagen Protein Powder (Canister or 12-pack)
- 1 6-pack of each collagen bar flavor
Use the form below to enter the giveaway – it’s FREE! You can gain up to 15 contest entries right away, PLUS 4 more entries every day by referring friends!
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Please share this giveaway with your friends – and use the “refer a friend” option above to get more entries for yourself! Contest ends August 31, 2017. U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary.
More Low Carb Recipes To Love
7-Layer Salad Recipe with Mayonnaise (Quick & Easy):
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RECIPE CARD
7-Layer Salad Recipe with Mayonnaise (Quick & Easy)
PrintIngredients
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- 8 oz Romaine lettuce (shredded)
- 1 lb Grape tomatoes (halved)
- 2 large Bell pepper (chopped; orange and/or yellow for rainbow effect)
- 8 large Egg (hard boiled, chopped or sliced)
- 1 small Red onion (sliced)
- 2/3 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Sour cream
- 6 oz Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 oz Bacon bits (cooked)
Instructions
More TIPS about this recipe in the post above!
VIDEO + NUTRITION INFO + RECIPE NOTES below!
- In a large clear glass bowl, or a trifle bowl like this one, layer the lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggs, and red onions, in that order.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream. Spread over the top of the salad. (It can be a little hard to spread over the onions without sticking. Just dollop a little at a time and spread a little, add a little more, and repeat.)
- Sprinkle shredded cheese and cooked bacon bits on top.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
SIMILAR KETO LOW CARB RECIPES
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
Video Showing How To Make a Seven Layer Salad:
Click or tap on the image below to play the video. It's the easiest way to learn how to make a Seven Layer Salad!
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
More Low Carb & Keto Support!
If you want to know more about how to start a low carb diet, want to substitute sweeteners, need a food list, or need support, check these guides:
Low Carb & Keto Diet Plan
Starter Guide 
Sweetener Conversion Calculator 
Keto Low Carb Macro Calculator 
Low Carb Keto Food List
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11 Comments
April Robinette
What about using a ranch dressing in place of the sour cream and mayo?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi April, You can definitely do that! Here is my favorite ranch dressing recipe.
Jasmine Tarter
I made this for lunch today. I subbed Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. It was delicious!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Jasmine!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Jasmine! Replacing the sour cream with Greek yogurt sounds delicious!
Cynthia
Now I know now what I’m bringing to my nephews birthday party this Saturday!! Can’t wait to try it!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Cynthia! I hope you like it!
Amy Drown
I used to make this, and just got out of the habit. I have a salad luncheon to go to, thank you for the awesome suggestion now I know what I’m making.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Amy! I hope you like this recipe!
Kim McCann Henry
I remember seven layer salad from the 70’s! It usually had a just mayonnaise dressing with a teaspoon of sugar in it. And thawed frozen peas were one of the layers. Of course, peas and sugar are a no-no at our home. Think I’m going to bring back some memories with your version real soon.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Kim, I hope your family enjoys my recipe!