7 Layer Christmas Salad
A festive 7 Layer Christmas Salad featuring crisp lettuce, apples, cranberries, red onion, bacon, gorgonzola, and homemade candied walnuts, topped with a creamy maple-dijon dressing.
8 Servings
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
This 7 Layer Christmas Salad can be made fully gluten-free with simple adjustments:
- 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.