Southern Seven Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad is easy to put together, but it looks like a special, company dish. It is colorful and just looks like a fun salad.

There are many versions of Seven Layer Salad, and it is also known as Pea Salad. Children, in particular, seem more inclined to try the salad if you call it Seven Layer Salad rather than Pea Salad.

While there are peas in the salad, they certainly don’t constitute the main ingredient or the key taste. It’s really the combination of all the flavors that makes this a family favorite year after year.

Southern Seven Layer Salad

• ½ head of lettuce (Iceburg is traditional, but other salad greens can be used)
• 10 oz package of frozen peas (cooked and drained)
• ½ cup onions (red or purple add color but white is fine)
• ½ cup celery
• ½ cup green pepper
• 2 cups Miracle Whip (some families use mayonnaise instead)
• 2 tsp sugar
• 4 slices crisp fried bacon (or bacon bits)
• 4 ounces shredded cheese (usually cheddar)

Directions:

A large clear glass bowl or punch bowl is ideal for this pea salad, because it’s possible to see all the various ingredients. They look very colorful and festive.

First, break the lettuce into bite sized pieces and line the bottom of the bowl.

Next, sprinkle the peas over the lettuce. Be sure to cook the peas and drain them first. You can, alternately, use fresh garden peas. Little garden peas do not have to be cooked, but most people do cook or steam them a bit.

Cut the onions, celery, and green pepper up into small pieces. You can make rings with the onions and pepper, but it’s harder to serve the dish if the pieces are that large.

In a small bowl, mix the sugar and Miracle Whip. Spread the Miracle Whip over the salad. Go all the way to the edges to create a seal. Depending on the width of the bowl used, you may need more or less Miracle Whip. Adjust as needed. The idea is to have a thin layer over the top.

Crumble the bacon and sprinkle over the top of the Miracle Whip.

Sprinkle cheese over the sop of the Seven Layer Salad.

The bacon and cheese can be added right before serving. The bacon, in particular is crisper if added later. But, it’s fine to do it either way. Some people prefer a more blended texture.

Cover the bowl and chill overnight.

Another great Southern Salad that is especially good in the summer is Southern Raw Vegetable Refrigerator Salad.

Both of these salads are great with Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread. Of course, almost anything is great with cornbread made from scratch.

Peas for Seven Layer Salad

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