Eloise's Make Ahead Salad

Eloise's Make Ahead Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe that's as gorgeous as it is delicious, perfect for prepping in advance. Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, vibrant cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers, this layered salad is elevated with savory bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and apple cider vinegar. The addition of thawed peas and thinly sliced red onion adds a pop of color and texture, while the overnight chilling ensures every bite is packed with flavor. This no-cook, 20-minute recipe is ideal for dinner parties, potlucks, or meal prep, serving 6 people with ease. Serve it layered for a stunning presentation or gently toss it before serving—either way, it’s guaranteed to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 1 large Cucumber
• 2 Bell peppers (any color)
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 pieces Cooked bacon strips
• 1 small Red onion
• 1 cup Frozen peas (thawed)
• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and pat dry the romaine lettuce. Chop it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 2

Halve the cherry tomatoes.

Step 3

Peel the cucumber if desired, then dice it into small cubes.

Step 4

Remove the seeds and core from the bell peppers, then dice them.

Step 5

Crumble or chop the cooked bacon strips into small pieces.

Step 6

Slice the red onion into very thin slices or small dices for a milder flavor.

Step 7

In a large clear glass or salad bowl, layer the ingredients as follows for a beautiful presentation: romaine lettuce on the bottom, then the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, peas, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon on top.

Step 8

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 9

Spread the dressing evenly over the top layer of the salad, ensuring it reaches all the edges to seal in freshness.

Step 10

Cover the salad tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 11

Before serving, gently toss the salad together or serve layered for visual appeal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2365.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3149.7

Total Fat 255.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 467.9mg	0%
Sodium 5082.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 159.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.9g	0%
Total Sugars 55.6g
Protein 77.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1384.7mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 3823.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 70.9%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 19.6%