Description

Sarah Salad is a flavorful, make-ahead salad perfect for holidays or dinner parties. Combining crisp iceberg lettuce, thawed peas, Swiss cheese, green onions, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a creamy mayo and Miracle Whip dressing with a hint of sweetness from sugar. This salad benefits from resting in the fridge, allowing flavors to meld beautifully, so you can prepare it in advance and save time on event days.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

1 large head of iceberg lettuce
6 oz frozen peas
8 oz package of sliced Swiss cheese
3 stalks green onion
12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
2 tablespoons sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Cheese and Peas: Cut the Swiss cheese into small pieces, breaking any slices apart since they tend to stick together. Place the frozen peas in a strainer and run warm water over them to thaw. Drain well before adding to the mixing bowl along with the cheese.
Chop Green Onions: Dice the green onion stalks into small pieces and add them to the bowl with the peas and cheese.
Prepare the Lettuce: To separate the iceberg lettuce leaves, firmly hit the stem end of the head on the countertop a few times to loosen it. Discard the stem. Slice the lettuce into strips, then crosswise to create bite-sized squares. Rinse thoroughly and dry well using a salad spinner or clean towel. Add the chopped lettuce to the bowl.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the dressing.
Refrigerate: Transfer the salad to an airtight container with a secure lid. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.
Serve: Just before serving, toss the salad again and top with the crumbled cooked bacon. Serve chilled.

Notes

Make the salad a day in advance to let the flavors fully combine and save time on your event day.
Use a salad spinner or thoroughly dry lettuce to avoid a watery salad.
The salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours after assembling.
Bacon can be cooked ahead and stored separately if preferred to maintain crispiness.
Rubbermaid Brilliance containers work well for storage due to their airtight and leakproof design.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Make Ahead Salad, Holiday Salad, Bacon Salad, Iceberg Lettuce Salad, Creamy Salad, Party Salad, Dinner Party Salad