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Fresh Seven Layer Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing

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A vibrant and nostalgic seven layer salad featuring crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, bacon, cheddar, corn, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs, topped with a homemade creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for any occasion, easy to prepare, and a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional for vegetarian: skip or use turkey bacon)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or dairy-free milk + lemon juice for vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (15 minutes): Wash and dry romaine lettuce thoroughly using a salad spinner or colander. Chop into bite-sized pieces. Halve cherry tomatoes, crumble cooked bacon, shred cheddar cheese, finely dice red onion, chop hard-boiled eggs, and thaw frozen corn, draining excess moisture.
  2. Make the Creamy Ranch Dressing (5 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. Add dried dill weed, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust lemon or herbs as desired.
  3. Layer the Salad (10 minutes): In a clear glass bowl, spread chopped romaine evenly on the bottom. Layer halved cherry tomatoes, then thawed corn, followed by diced red onion, crumbled bacon, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  4. Top with Dressing and Chill (5 minutes + chilling): Pour creamy ranch dressing evenly over the top layer of cheddar cheese. Gently spread if needed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and keep veggies crisp.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Serve chilled or at room temperature. Toss gently before serving or serve as is to admire the layers. Pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a light meal.

Notes

Dry lettuce thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Let bacon cool before layering to prevent wilting veggies. Dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add roasted chickpeas or toasted nuts. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo, coconut yogurt, and plant-based milk with lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: seven layer salad, creamy ranch dressing, layered salad, easy salad recipe, potluck salad, picnic salad, homemade ranch dressing

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/fresh-seven-layer-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-creamy-ranch-dressing-guide/