The 4th of July has always been a big deal in our family. When I was younger, it was the only time of year my entire extended family could get together. Now we celebrate Independence Day on a smaller scale, but a cookout with family or friends is a yearly tradition. I usually turn the grilling over to the guys, but I’m in charge of cookout side dishes. We usually have a 7 layer salad, but I like to change recipes from to keep the menu exciting. This year I plan to serve a twist on this classic with this Blue Cheese and Bacon 7 Layer Salad Recipe.
I included all of our favorite pairings with blue cheese; apples, pears, and bacon. Because bacon makes everything better! I layered the salad in a bowl and had a beautiful layered salad that turned out to be red, white and blue. Even better, I can make the salad in minutes (or make it a day in advance) and have time to enjoy myself with our guests.
How to Make Blue Cheese and Bacon 7 Layer Salad
Ingredients:
3 EACH apples and pears, thinly sliced
1 (1 lb.) package bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup dried cranberries
1 head lettuce, torn into pieces
1 cup toasted walnuts
¾ cup blue cheese, crumbled
1 jar Naturally Fresh Brand Bleu Cheese dressing
Directions:
You’ll need a large clear bowl or 8 (8 ounce) clear mason jars if you want to make individual salads. Prepare the salad in layers:
Layer 1- Place the torn lettuce on bottom.
Layer 2- Place the thinly sliced pear on top of lettuce.
Layer 3- Mix cranberries and toasted walnuts. Add the mixture onto top of pear slices.
Layer 4- Add thinly sliced apples over the walnuts.
Layer 5- Top the apples with crumbled bacon.
Layer 6- Spread the jar of Naturally Fresh Brand Bleu Cheese dressing evenly over bacon.
Layer 7- Crumble the blue cheese over the dressing.
Tips:
If you are in a hurry, use 1 (8 ounce) package iceberg salad, or your favorite salad blend. Spinach works well in this recipe too.
You can also substitute candied walnuts, pecans or almonds for the toasted walnuts.
Apples and Pears can be diced instead of sliced, if you prefer smaller pieces.
You can find Naturally Fresh® dressing in the refrigerated section because it is free of artificial colors, flavors and artificial preservatives. Want to learn more? Visit them on Facebook or Pinterest.
What is your favorite fourth of July recipe?
Wow, this is so yummy! I wish I could try this at home.
This looks so delicious and yummy; I can’t wait to try this salad out. Thank you for sharing with us!
Yum! This salad has all the yummy flavor I love in one delish bowl!
This salad sounds DELISH! I never would have thought of adding Pears to a blue cheese dressing salad. But Bacon makes everything amazing!
I’ve never had a salad like this. It looks delicious! I can see eating this anytime.
Wow, that looks and sounds fantastic! I would love to try this. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like a great salad idea for the 4 th of July gathering. I will have to make this this year. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
This looks delicious. I am such a fan of blue cheese and pear together. Bet everyone loves this!
My husband isn’t big on salads, but this is one I know he’d get behind. It has some of this favorite ingredients. And, the Naturally Fresh dressing sounds like it would really punch up the dish!
This sounds lovely for a neighborhood get-together. I know it’ll be a hit with the Naturally Fresh dressing.
I read ‘blue cheese’ and ‘bacon’ and my mouth was already watering. I love that it is a fruit based salad too (I was expecting a green salad). Really sounds perfect for summer.
Yum. This looks and sound good. My favorite 4th of July recipe is probably broccoli salad, or maybe just burgers on the grill.
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! I love those layers and flavors are so perfect together.
This sounds and looks delicious! I love bacon and I think my family would love this salad.
To be honest, I haven’t tried blue cheese. Now, your salad recipe makes me curious.
I love blue cheese and bacon, but I have never tried the combination in a salad. I am definitely trying this one, maybe with a good grill steak. Yummy!!
I’m not really a fan of blue cheese.. But you make this look so good! I’ll have to try this as a side one night.
That looks delicious! What a wonderful recipe. My kids would LOVE this! I think I would too, it looks so good and different!
Thanks for a 7 layer salad recipe idea to make up this Summer!
Now this is my kind of salad. Crisp, crunchy, creamy. It truly has a little bit of everything!
I love salads a whole lot. I will give this one a try!
Looks like a unique and yummy salad idea!
I love a great salad during the summer. This 7 layer one sounds absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to try this recipe this weekend.
This looks really good. Layer salads are great for when you have guests over. This would be perfect.
Oh good thinking when it comes to having them for when guests come over! x
This Looks So Delicious I LOVE Bacon Yes I Must Make For The Family Thank You!
This looks so yummy. This will be a great salad to bring to my friends party. I like to make a pasta salad for the 4th of July.
My family has a huge pool party every year. This salad would be a perfect thing to bring along with me.
This would be a great salad for a picnic. I think my guests would love it
This sounds so yummy! I love the tang of bleu cheese with the sweet of fruit, and of course. BACON!
Your salad looks so good! It sure would be a great addition to my 4th of July spread. We have a huge party and watch the fireworks every year.
This sounds so tasty! I like the options for creating the salad, such as sliced or diced fruit. It’s going to be a hit for our summer events.