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.
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.
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.
Shop Our Backyard
8-Layer Salad
Ingredients:
- 1-1 1/2 heads iceberg lettuce chopped
- 8 oz turkey bacon chopped, cooked until crisp, drained on paper towel
- 1 1/3 cup red onion chopped
- 1 1/3 cup celery chopped
- 1 1/3 cup frozen peas rinsed and drained
- 6 oz vegan cheddar check ingredients to ensure compliance with your particular diet, or use regular cheddar if not dairy restricted
- 1 cup dried cherries unsweetened preferred
- 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
For the Dressing
- 1 1/3 cup veganaise soy free for soy allergies
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp champagne vinegar
- 2 pinches salt
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.
Sounds divine!
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 💛😂
Looks delish!
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.
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.
Definitely consult with your Dr. and do what makes you feel good. My diet is very individualized for me and my health concerns.
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.
I love the classic seven layer salad but this sounds amazing too! Thanks for the alternative!