Amish Layered Ham & Swiss Salad
The moment this layered salad gets uncovered at the potluck, people instantly know it’s not the usual seven-layer version. Smoky ham, creamy Swiss cheese, sweet peas, eggs, and crunchy iceberg lettuce stack together under a rich Amish-style dressing that turns the whole thing into something that tastes like the world’s greatest deli sandwich in salad form. One scoop deep through every layer and suddenly nobody misses the old version anymore.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients:
* 1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped
* 3 cups diced ham
* 2 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed
* 8 slices Swiss cheese, chopped into strips
* 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
* 1/2 red onion, finely diced
* 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
2. Spread the chopped iceberg lettuce evenly into the bottom of a large glass serving bowl.
3. Layer the sweet peas evenly over the lettuce.
4. Add the diced ham, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and diced red onion in even layers.
5. Arrange the Swiss cheese strips evenly across the top.
6. Carefully spread the dressing edge-to-edge over the entire salad, sealing the layers underneath.
7. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve by scooping straight down through every layer.
Pro Tip:
For the best deli-style flavor, use thick-cut smoked ham and baby Swiss cheese — the milder Swiss melts beautifully into the creamy dressing after chilling.