Heavenly Layered Garden Salad
This Heavenly Layered Garden Salad is a vibrant, delicious dish perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or just a delightful family meal. With its colorful layers of fresh vegetables, crunchy bacon, and zesty dressing, this salad is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds. The combination of iceberg lettuce, crisp celery, garden peas, and a medley of cheeses creates a satisfying texture and flavor, while the creamy dressing binds everything together perfectly. Best of all, it stays fresh even when prepared a day in advance, making your meal prep a breeze. Customize it to your liking by swapping in your favorite veggies or vegetarian alternatives. Get ready to impress your guests and relish the deliciousness - leftovers often become the highlight of the meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Iceberg lettuce
1 head (Cored and cut into pieces)
Cucumber
1 (Seeded and sliced)
Frozen peas
1 cup (Rinsed and drained)
Celery
1 1/2 cups (Thinly sliced)
Red onion
1 (Thinly sliced or use 4 scallions, sliced thin)
Sharp cheddar cheese
6 ounces (Shredded (add more to taste))
Bacon
1/2 lb (Cooked until crisp and crumbled)
Hard-boiled eggs
2 (Chopped (optional))
Mayonnaise
2 cups (N/A)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (Adjust to taste)
Sour cream or yogurt
1/2 cup (N/A)
Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1 teaspoon (Adjust to taste)
Instructions
1
Start by layering the ingredients in a large, clear glass bowl to showcase the vibrant colors. Begin with the iceberg lettuce at the bottom, followed by the cucumber slices, followed by the rinsed peas and the thinly sliced celery. Finally, add the red onion or scallions as the top layer of vegetables.
2
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, sour cream or yogurt, and Lawry's Seasoned Salt. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
3
Carefully pour the dressing over the layered vegetables in the glass bowl, ensuring an even distribution over the top.
4
Sprinkle a generous layer of sharp cheddar cheese over the dressed salad, followed by crumbled bacon pieces for added crunch and flavor.
5
If using, add a final layer of chopped hard-boiled eggs on top for a delicious finish.
6
Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. Serve chilled, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Layered Garden Salad?
It is a vibrant, delicious dish perfect for gatherings and potlucks featuring layers of fresh vegetables, crunchy bacon, and a zesty creamy dressing.
What is the first layer of the salad?
The first layer starts with iceberg lettuce that has been cored and cut into pieces at the bottom of a clear glass bowl.
How should the cucumber be prepared?
The cucumber should be seeded and sliced before being added as the second layer.
Do the peas need to be cooked?
No, you use frozen peas that have been rinsed and drained.
How much celery is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of thinly sliced celery.
Can I use something other than red onion?
Yes, you can substitute the red onion with 4 thinly sliced scallions.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe recommends 6 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, though you can add more to taste.
How should the bacon be prepared?
The bacon should be cooked until crisp and then crumbled into small pieces.
Are hard-boiled eggs mandatory?
No, the chopped hard-boiled eggs are an optional addition for a delicious finish.
What are the ingredients for the dressing?
The dressing consists of mayonnaise, sugar, sour cream or yogurt, and Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1/2 cup of sour cream or 1/2 cup of yogurt in the dressing.
How much mayonnaise is needed?
The dressing requires 2 cups of mayonnaise.
What seasoning is used in the dressing?
One teaspoon of Lawry's Seasoned Salt is used, which can be adjusted to taste.
How long should the salad refrigerate?
The salad should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Can I make this salad a day ahead?
Yes, it is designed as a make-ahead dish and stays fresh even when prepared a day in advance.
Why is a clear glass bowl recommended?
A clear glass bowl is used to showcase the vibrant and colorful layers of the vegetables.
How do I apply the dressing?
Carefully pour the whisked dressing over the layered vegetables, ensuring even distribution over the top.
When do I add the bacon and cheese?
The cheese and bacon are sprinkled over the salad after the dressing has been applied.
Can I adjust the amount of sugar?
Yes, the 2 tablespoons of sugar in the dressing can be adjusted to your personal taste.
Is this salad suitable for large parties?
Absolutely, it is categorized as party food and is perfect for potlucks and family meals.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 main ingredients in this Heavenly Layered Garden Salad recipe.
What is the final texture of the salad?
The salad offers a satisfying texture combination of crisp lettuce, crunchy bacon, and a creamy dressing.
Can I customize the vegetables?
Yes, you can customize the salad by swapping in your favorite vegetables or vegetarian alternatives.
How many eggs are used if I choose to include them?
If using eggs, the recipe suggests 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal, though it does require chilling time.
What is the best way to serve this?
It should be served chilled directly from the refrigerator.
Are the leftovers good?
Yes, leftovers often become the highlight of the meal as the flavors continue to blend.
What kind of lettuce is best?
One head of Iceberg lettuce is specified for the base of this salad.
Is this a good summer recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a summer salad and is very refreshing for warm weather.
Is there a vegetarian option?
While the recipe includes bacon, it is tagged with 'vegetarian option' suggesting you can omit meat or use alternatives.