California 7 Layer Salad Recipe
California 7 Layer Salad is a vibrant, colorful layered vegetable salad featuring a fresh mix of cabbage, lettuce, bell peppers, and onions, topped with crispy bacon, aged cheddar cheese, and creamy homemade mayonnaise. This refreshing, make-ahead salad is perfect for potlucks and gatherings, offering a satisfying crunch and a harmonious blend of flavors chilled to perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (for bacon)
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes (including refrigeration)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 head cabbage, shredded
- 1 head lettuce, shredded (or substitute with diced broccoli or cauliflower)
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (orange, red, or yellow), chopped
Dressing & Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups homemade mayonnaise
- 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3/4 cup aged California cheddar or hard cheese, shredded or shaved
Instructions
- Layer the vegetables: In a large bowl or serving dish, start by placing the shredded cabbage evenly at the bottom as the first layer. Then add the shredded lettuce or your choice of diced broccoli or cauliflower as the second layer. Follow by spreading the chopped red onion evenly over the lettuce as the third layer. Next, add the chopped bell peppers in a colorful layer as the fourth step.
- Add the mayo and toppings: Spoon the homemade mayonnaise evenly over the vegetable layers, spreading gently to cover all. Then sprinkle the cooked and crumbled bacon over the mayonnaise layer. Finally, top the salad with the shredded or shaved aged California cheddar cheese as the last layer.
- Chill the salad: Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least four hours, preferably overnight. The salad can be made 16 to 18 hours in advance for best flavor melding and texture.
- Toss and serve: Remove the salad from the fridge, toss all the layers gently to combine and redistribute ingredients evenly. Optionally, garnish with extra diced bell peppers, shredded cheese, or bacon bits for visual appeal before serving.
Notes
- This salad tastes best when refrigerated at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.
- You can swap lettuce with diced broccoli or cauliflower for added variation.
- Make sure bacon is cooked crisp for the best texture contrast.
- Use aged California cheddar or a similar firm cheese to complement the salad’s bold flavors.
- Toss gently to avoid breaking up the vegetables too much before serving.
Keywords: 7 layer salad, layered salad, California salad, bacon salad, cabbage salad, cheddar salad, potluck salad, make-ahead salad
Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/california-7-layer-salad-recipe/
