Layered Salad (Easy Make Ahead Favorite)

5 from 6 votes

Layered Salad (Easy Make Ahead Favorite)

A fresh and colorful layered salad made with crisp vegetables and a creamy lemon dressing. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or make-ahead meals, this easy salad is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Prep Time30

Total Time30

Course: Salad

Servings:

Calories: 119kcal

Author: Sally Humeniuk

Ingredients

For the salad:

2 heads Romaine lettuce or other favorite greens
½ small head red cabbage shredded
1 ½ cups celery sliced or chopped
1 yellow bell pepper diced
1 orange bell pepper diced
2 cups cherry tomatoes sliced
6 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced
½ red onion sliced thin
6 scallions diced plus more for topping
1 cup frozen peas quick thawed under warm water

For the dressing:

2 cups mayonnaise or 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup Greek yogurt
Zest of one lemon
1 Tbsp fresh parsley minced
2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice
2 tsps granulated sugar

Toppings:

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Extra scallions

Additional optional toppings:

6 slices bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
crispy onions
croutons or walnuts

Instructions

Assemble the Salad:

In a deep glass bowl, layer the ingredients in this order:
Romaine lettuce (fills about 1/3 of the bowl)
Red cabbage
Celery
Yellow bell pepper
Orange bell pepper
Cherry tomatoes
Mushrooms
Red onion
Scallions
Peas
Press layers down lightly as you go to keep them compact and even.
2 heads Romaine lettuce, ½ small head red cabbage, 1 ½ cups celery, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 orange bell pepper, 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 6 ounces fresh mushrooms, ½ red onion, 6 scallions, 1 cup frozen peas

Make the dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and sugar until smooth.
2 cups mayonnaise, Zest of one lemon, 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, 2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice, 2 tsps granulated sugar

Finish and chill:

Spread the dressing evenly over the top, sealing the edges to cover the salad completely.Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and extra scallions.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Extra scallions

Serve:

Just before serving, toss the salad to combine. Add optional toppings like bacon, crispy onions, croutons, or nuts if desired.
6 slices bacon, crispy onions, croutons or walnuts

Notes

Notes & Tips

For a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt
Make sure vegetables are dry before layering to prevent sogginess
This salad can be made up to 8 hours ahead—do not toss until ready to serve
Serve extra dressing on the side if desired
Not shown but highly recommended- Add a layer of sliced hard boiled eggs just before the dressing for a protein boost

Nutrition