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8-Layer Salad - No Grain, Dairy, Pork, or Egg

April 16, 2023

I grew up eating 7-layer salad most Sundays in the Spring and Summer. It's crisp, full of flavor, and stays fresh even when made the day before (just hold off on the dressing). Unfortunately, the version I had as a child had cheese, bacon, and Miracle Whip (eggs) as the base. Not friendly to dietary restrictions for Julia's Hashimoto's.

Chris Loves Julia | 8-Layer Salad with dressing on the side

But this salad is still tradition to me, and I knew my kids would love it as well if I could get it adjusted. Spoiler alert, I did get it adjusted (even added an extra layer) and served it to a mixed crowd who all gave it rave reviews, not even knowing it had ever been anything else.

Chris Loves Julia | Chris assembling 8-Layer Salad
Chris Loves Julia | 8-Layer Salad

Miracle Whip is tangier and sweeter than just mayo, so using veganaise and adding vinegar and honey got us right there, and the flavor is dreamy. So on your next warm summer picnic or potluck or whatever - give this one a try. It's now on steady rotation in our home.

Chris Loves Julia | Chris making 8-Layer Salad with Julia and Cricket watching

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8-Layer Salad

Recipe by Chris Marcum
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Salad
Servings

0

Prep time

0

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Calorieskcal

An allergy-adjusted version of the classic 7-layer salad. Not friendly to all allergies, but most. Free of grain, gluten, dairy, soy, egg, and pork.

Ingredients

Directions

  • In a bowl, layer the salad as follows: lettuce, red onion, celery, turkey bacon, peas, vegan cheddar, sunflower seeds, dried cherries. Cover with plastic wrap and set in the fridge until close to service. Up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Whisk together all the dressing ingredients and pour the dressing over the salad just before service. Toss to coat and serve chilled.
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  1. Chris… you know we are all dying for you to write a cookbook, right? You need it, we need it. The WORLD needs it! But seriously, is there one in the works? Tell me to not give up hope. Blink twice for yes 😂.

    Sincerely,
    A mega fan who needs a Hashimoto’s cookbook 💛😂

  2. This looks amazing, thanks for sharing! How pathetic is my health care that since being diagnosed with Hashimotos myself many years ago, not ONE SINGLE doctor has ever told me to avoid bacon, eggs or cheese. Only gluten, which I was not told about for about 5 years into my diagnosis.

    1. Not everyone with hashimotos has to cut out all of these food groups. Julia has other health concerns and has spent years working on her diet (and other things) to get relief from them.

    2. Wait, I’m confused. My dr said the clean (sugar free, nitrate free, etc) bacon and good quality organic, soy and corn free-fed, chicken eggs were ok too. What’s the reason for the dr saying bacon and eggs are bad for hashimotos. I’m worried, because I eat those a lot.

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