This recipe for a keto 7 layer salad is super easy, and it’s a perfect 24-hour salad, allowing you to make it in advance. Make a low carb (seven-layer salad) recipe and impress your family and friends.
I hope to bring back a little Americana with this simple classic recipe that’s had a little bit of a makeover. It’s a recipe for a keto layered salad.
Not familiar with layered salads? How about the seven-layer salad? No? That’s probably because it was kind of a big deal in the 1970s, and once our country went low-fat, well, it kind of vanished.
Layered salads used to be all the rage before all the fat-fearing caused our country to ban even healthy forms of fat.
It’s like a layered dip with all the goodness of a salad.
But I am on a mission to try to change this. Because, frankly, layered salads deserve a comeback.
That being said, they can use a few healthy updates. This is why my recipe is a low-carb layered salad.
Keto Seven Layer Salad
When it comes to layered salads, the traditional recipe typically includes a colorful combo of at least seven layers, and it’s served in a transparent glass bowl to showcase these layers.
Although seven layers are really only a starting point if you ask me.
Because you can really go to town when making this type of salad. And if it’s a keto-friendly 7-layer salad, I say, why not?
Traditionally, this salad includes layers of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon pieces, and peas. It’s then topped with a mayonnaise/sour cream dressing.
Everything in a typical seven-layer salad works on a keto diet, except maybe the peas. So, my recipe for keto layered salad did not include them.
7 Layer Salad Keto
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The other thing to keep in mind when making a recipe for keto layered salad is to aim to use high-quality mayonnaise. I love using ones that are made with avocado oil.
Using avocado oil has the added benefit of being rich in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to decrease oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, and support cardiovascular health.
Another option to use in your keto layered salad is baconnaise, which is mayo that uses bacon fat.
The point is to use mayonnaise that does not use GMO-loaded soybean oil.
What makes this keto layered salad a great crowd-pleaser is that it can be assembled the night before, even 24 hours earlier. Who wouldn’t love an easy, overnight layer salad option?
The top layer of dressing serves as a seal and helps keep the vegetables below fresh. Since you don’t mix the salad until it is ready to serve, the vegetables remain crisp.
Assembling a keto layered 24 salad makes it a stress-free option for when you need a crowd-pleasing salad.
Plus, it feeds a crowd, which makes it also a great side salad.
If that’s not enough, it’s a healthy, gluten-free layered salad that has no added sugar, making it a wonderful dish to serve for get-togethers and parties!
Low Carb 7 Layer Salads
You may be too young to remember, or maybe it’s been forever since you participated in a church potluck, but a layered salad always made it to large casual gatherings.
Probably because of the convenience that a layered salad can be made hours ahead of time, and it can feed a large crowd.
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I can’t really put my finger on the first time I had a layered salad, but I’m pretty certain it must have been at a church luncheon.
It seems like church and food have always gone together. There’s no denying that food has a way of uniting people. And the opportunity for lots of great fellowships to occur when we share a meal.
I mean, even the early church gave us this example.
So, I am a fan of church gatherings that include food.
But here’s the thing….
Unfortunately, much of what is served is not healthy, not even a little bit healthy.
Ingredients Needed To Make A Keto 7 Layer Salad
The following are all the simple ingredients you’ll need: Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page, including the full nutritional data.
- Iceberg salad
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Bacon bits, slices or even turkey bacon
- Green onions
- Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- Chopped carrots
- Baby spinach
- English cucumber, seeded
- Red onion
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cucumbers
- Mayonnaise for a creamy dressing
- Sour cream
- Apple cider
- Granulated sugar substitute
- Salt
- Black pepper
Customize This Low-Carb Layered Salad
I love how easy it is to make adjustments to this salad so that it’s customized to your personal preferences.
Here are just a few suggestions to help you get extra creative:
- Black olives for a Southwestern twist
- Chestnuts instead of celery for an Asian twist
- Raw broccoli florets and or cauliflower florets for added nutrition
- Green pepper slices
- Red bell pepper, slices
- Green peas, although higher in carbs, can be added in small amounts.
- Parmesan cheese
How To Make A Keto 7 Layer Salad
Creating overnight salads like this low-carb layered salad is very easy as long as you keep the following in mind:
- You’ll need a large glass bowl or even a large trifle bowl
- The base of the keto layered salad should be either iceberg or romaine lettuce.
- Make sure to cut all your ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
- Use only ingredients that are low in carbs and keto-friendly.
- Add the layer of dressing to the top of the salad and cover well with plastic wrap.
- Don’t toss the salad until it’s ready to serve.
The next time you’re invited to a picnic or church potluck or need to bring a dish to a party, consider this easy crowd-pleaser!
Oh, and do try making a week’s worth in individual Mason jars. This is a great recipe to add to your meal prep rotation since it keeps well and makes a great low-carb keto lunch option.
Tag Us
I sure hope you will give this recipe a try. Once you do, make sure you remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook.
If you love the ability to have salad for dinner, you should also check out the following recipes:
Favorite Keto-Friendly Salad Recipes
It’s what keeps this girl encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.
Be sure to also check out our Amazon Store for recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.
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Keto 7 Layered Salad (Gluten-Free)
This delicious keto 7 layer salad recipe includes seven layers of fresh low in carbs salad vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese and topped with an easy mayo and sour cream dressing. It's the perfect crowd pleaser make-ahead saladl
Ingredients
- 1 ½ heads of iceberg lettuce
- 4 eggs, hard boiled
- 2 packages of bacon cooked and cut into bite size pieces
- 4 stalks of green onions, chopped
- 2 pints of cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup of chopped carrots
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 large cucumbers chopped or sliced
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup full fat sour cream
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon sugar substitute (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook your bacon until crisp and then slice into bite-size pieces. Set aside. Reserve 1/4 cup of the bacon to garnish the top of the salad
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar substitute, salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Combine until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- Chop the iceberg lettuce and set it aside.
- Chop or slice the hard-boiled eggs and season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Optional reserve a few slices to add to garnish the top of the salad.
- Peel and slice the cucumber and set aside.
- Chop the green onions and set them aside. Reserve a couple of tablespoons to garnish the top of the salad.
- Slice the onion and set it aside.
- Begin to layer the salad by adding the chopped lettuce to the bottom of the bowl of a large salad bowl or a large trifle dish
- Next, add the cucumber layer. Lightly press down the cucumber layer into the lettuce.
- Add the layer of chopped green onions being sure to spread evenly.
- Add the red onion layer.
- Add the cherry tomatoes using a small plate press these layers lightly.
- Add the shredded carrots.
- Add the sliced boiled eggs.
- Next, add the bacon pieces being sure to cover the surface of the salad completely.
- Add the dressing being sure to top the entire surface of the salad.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese to cover the top of the salad.
- Garnish the top of the salad with reserved bacon, green onions, and egg slices.
- Refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. This salad can be made ahead up of 36 hours.
- Once ready to serve simply toss the salad so that layers get covered in the dressing.
Notes
This keto 7 layer salad can be eaten right away or served up to 36 hours later as long as the salad is not tossed prior.
You'll need a large salad bowl or large trifle dish to layer the salad in.
You can also make individual salads by layering the salad in mason jars. These keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days as long as you do not mix the salad till it’s time to eat.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 450Total Fat: 33.9gSaturated Fat: 13.2gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 155mgCarbohydrates: 8.8gNet Carbohydrates: 7.1gFiber: 1gSugar: 3.4gProtein: 23.4g
