A festive 7 Layer Christmas Salad made with lettuce, apples, cranberries, red onion, bacon, gorgonzola, and candied walnuts.
There’s always one holiday recipe that kind of sneaks up on you, right? Not the showy ham or the dessert everyone secretly came for… but some odd dish that unexpectedly becomes “your thing.” For me, weirdly enough, it’s this 7 Layer Christmas Salad.
And the funny part? I didn’t even mean to invent a “dish.” I was actually having one of those mornings—the kind where you wake up already overwhelmed, check your phone, and see about six notifications you’re emotionally not ready for. One of them was a reminder for a Christmas potluck I’d completely forgotten existed. Classic me. I swear December feels like a speedrun every year.
So there I was: messy bun, wearing socks that didn’t match, staring into my fridge like it was supposed to magically manifest a cheesecake. Nope. Just lettuce. A red onion. Two apples. A half-used bag of dried cranberries. And—this made me laugh out loud—some gorgonzola that I bought on a whim because some TikTok video told me to.
But something about those random ingredients made me think of the layered salads my grandma used to bring to church potlucks. They always looked so extra with their glass bowls and all those stacked colors. She’d fuss with them like she was assembling stained glass for a medieval cathedral. And suddenly I thought… okay, maybe that’s the move.
So I candied walnuts in a rush, layered everything like I had any idea what I was doing, whisked the dressing and prayed it didn’t taste like regret. I walked into the potluck almost embarrassed—like, “please nobody ask who made that.”
Except… they did. A lot. People were obsessed. Someone even called it “dangerously good,” which honestly felt like a personal victory considering I made it about 10 minutes before leaving the house.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
And that’s how this 7 Layer Christmas Salad went from panic-salad to “Scarlett, you’re bringing that again this year… right?”
You ever have a recipe accidentally become a tradition? Because I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what happened here.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This 7 Layer Christmas Salad Recipe?
What I love about this 7 Layer Christmas Salad—and I mean love in that slightly dramatic holiday way where I’m running on sugar and nostalgia—is how it looks like you spent hours on it when you barely spent 20 minutes. It’s colorful without trying too hard, festive in a way that feels natural, and honestly it tastes like Christmas without slapping you over the head with it.
You get crunch from the apples and lettuce, sweetness from the cranberries, that sharp onion bite, salty bacon, creamy gorgonzola—it’s like a little holiday concert where every ingredient gets a solo. And then the homemade candied nuts? Don’t even get me started.
It’s pretty. It’s easy. It’s make-ahead. It’s a low-stress superstar in a season full of stress.
Ingredient Notes:
Before diving in, here’s my super informal breakdown of what you’re tossing together in this 7 Layer Christmas Salad:
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Lettuce: Romaine or iceberg; honestly whatever looks good that day.
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Red onion: Finely chopped so it doesn’t dominate every bite.
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Apples: Crisp ones. Soft apples in salad feel like betrayal.
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Dried cranberries: Little chewy pops of sweet holiday energy.
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Bacon: Crispy. Always crispy.
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Gorgonzola: Adds that fancy “holiday cheese board” vibe.
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Walnuts with sugar + butter: Trust me, the candied version is worth the extra 5 minutes.
It’s one of those salads that looks like you planned it, even when you 100% did not.
How To Make 7 Layer Christmas Salad?
Let’s go through this together, because nothing about this recipe is hard—but it is fun.
Step 1: Candy the nuts
You’ll toss walnuts, sugar, and butter into a pan. Stir like your life depends on it—and like you don’t want to explain to anyone how you burned sugar onto your favorite skillet. When they’re glossy and smell like Christmas markets, spread them out to cool.
Step 2: Build the layers
In something clear (trust me, the visual matters), start stacking: lettuce → onion → apples → cranberries. It feels dramatic but in a good way. Almost therapeutic, honestly.
Step 3: Make the dressing
Whisk mayo, sour cream, dijon, maple syrup, and vinegar. Give it a taste and adjust—sometimes I add a little extra maple syrup depending on my mood (or how many holiday obligations I’ve said yes to).
Step 4: Seal and chill
Want To Save This Recipe?
Pour the dressing over the top. Spread it like frosting. Chill. This part makes it feel like a real “make-ahead” dish… which is perfect for holiday chaos.
Step 5: Add the toppings
Right before serving, add bacon, gorgonzola, and those gorgeous candied nuts. Suddenly your “accidental salad” looks like it belongs in a holiday magazine.
Storage Options:
The nice thing about this salad is that it can sit in the fridge peacefully for up to 2 days before serving—just add the toppings later. Once mixed, it lasts about a day. Maybe longer if you don’t mind it a little softer (I don’t mind at all; I eat it cold straight from the bowl like leftover Christmas cookies).
Variations and Substitutions:
This 7 Layer Christmas Salad is super flexible—a true holiday miracle. Here are some swaps I’ve tried:
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Gorgonzola → feta, goat cheese, or sharp white cheddar
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Walnuts → pecans (honestly my favorite version)
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Apples → pears if you want something softer
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Add pomegranate seeds if you want sparkle
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Lighten the dressing with Greek yogurt
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Add leftover roasted turkey or chicken and make it a meal
There’s no “wrong” version, just different levels of delicious.
What to Serve with 7 Layer Christmas Salad?
This salad somehow works with basically everything:
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Ham
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Turkey
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Roast beef
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Holiday casseroles
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Pasta dishes
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Christmas brunch spreads
I’ve even had it with leftover pizza and… shockingly… it worked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I prep it early?
Yes—thank goodness. Prep it up to 2 days ahead.
Does it have to be gorgonzola?
Nope. Use whatever cheese doesn’t start a family debate.
Can I make the candied nuts ahead?
Absolutely. They keep well for a week.
And that’s my whole chaotic, sentimental, totally accidental love story with this 7 Layer Christmas Salad.
If you make it, tell me if it sneaks its way into your holiday traditions too. I have a feeling it might.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
7 Layer Christmas Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 1 large red onion finely chopped
- 2 cups chopped apples
- 2 cups roughly chopped dried cranberries
- 6 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
Candied Walnuts
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Candied Walnuts
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts, granulated sugar, and butter.
- Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Once the sugar begins to melt, continue stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- When the nuts are fully coated and the sugar has melted, transfer them to a sheet of parchment paper. Use a spatula to separate the pieces.
- Allow the walnuts to cool for 5–7 minutes, or until the sugar has hardened.
Assemble the Salad
- In a trifle dish or a large clear glass bowl, evenly spread the lettuce along the bottom to form the first layer.
- Add successive layers in the following order: red onion, apples, and dried cranberries.
Prepare the Dressing
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup.
- Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Dress and Chill
- Pour the dressing evenly over the layered salad. Smooth the top using a spatula.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. The salad may be chilled for up to 2 days.
Finish and Serve
- Just before serving, sprinkle the gorgonzola cheese, crumbled bacon, and candied walnuts over the top.
- Toss gently, if desired, and serve promptly.
Notes
- Ensure the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and sour cream are labeled gluten-free, as brands vary.
- Check that the bacon is certified gluten-free (some brands add flavorings that may contain gluten).
- All remaining ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
