Salad in a Jar is an easy way to bring your salad on the go - dressing, greens, and toppings all in one place! Bring it with you on a picnic, to work, or anywhere else! Two salad recipes included.
Salad In a Jar Recipes
What is the appeal of having a salad in a jar you might ask? Well, let me tell you, friends! Not only does it last forever, but the prep work is done and you have healthy eating right at your fingertips. Prepping a bunch of these one day and eating on them all week long is the help you might need to eat well. Life gets busy and taking time to eat something beyond quick and easy can get pushed aside. BUT, if all you have to do is unscrew a lid, find a fork, and give a little stir, then there's no reason to not be eating more salad. Plus, in the jar, it's perfectly portable. Throw it in a lunch box along with a boiled egg and an apple and you have a delicious healthy lunch to go. Done.
My fellow Hoosier and blogging buddy Cassie over at Wholefully is who you have to thanks for the inspiration. I'm eating 100% clean for the next eight weeks as part of a little challenge I'm doing and Cassie has given me all kinds of great ideas on how to enjoy the challenge and not just live through it. I really feel like I'm making lifestyle changes and these salads in a jar are here for the long run.
What are the basic components of a Salad in a Jar?
The four groups for building a salad in a jar is dressing, proteins/complex carbs, fixings, and greens. Proteins are foods like quinoa, cooked brown rice, black beans, kidney beans, grilled chicken, tuna, tofu, etc. Fixings are things like shredded carrots, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, sprouts, sunflower seeds, nuts, olives, fruit, dried fruit, and strong cheeses (blue/feta). There are endless ways to pair different combinations so mix and match until you find your favorites!
Which salad dressings are healthier?
If you want this to be a healthy salad, you are better off avoiding any bottled dressing and making your own. This post has 2 dressings to try! If making dressing is keeping you from trying these then by all means, use what you like, but I really recommend making a dressing from scratch. It's SO easy! Most storebought dressings can have a lot more sugar than you think, so shop wisely.
How long does Salad in a Jar last?
If you create your salad as outlined with the greens on top, away from the dressing, the lettuce stays nice and crisp for well over a week!
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South of the Border Salad in a Jar
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 jar 1x
Description
Salad in a Jar is an easy way to bring your salad on the go - dressing, greens, and toppings all in one place! Bring it with you on a picnic, to work, or anywhere else!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- Dressing (recipe follows)
- Black beans
- Chopped sweet bell pepper
- Sunflower seeds
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped Romaine lettuce
For the South of the Border Dressing
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon EACH garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper
Instructions
- For the dressing:
- Add everything to a small mason jar, put on the lid, and shake until well combined. Makes enough dressing for about 3 salads in a jar.
- To assemble the salad:
- In a pint mason jar add the dressing, black beans, chopped "extras" and then lettuce (in that order). Pack the jars pretty tight. Add a lid and store in the fridge. When you are ready to eat dump the jar into a bowl and stir to combine or shake the jar very well and eat from the jar.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Refirgerated
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: easy salad recipe, easy salad, salad in a jar, best salad recipe, work lunch ideas, lunch ideas for work, healthy work lunch ideas, easy work lunch ideas, work lunch box ideas
Asian Infusion Salad
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 jar 1x
Description
Salad in a Jar is an easy way to bring your salad on the go - dressing, greens, and toppings all in one place! Bring it with you on a picnic, to work, or anywhere else!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- Asian Infusion Dressing (recipe in the notes)
- Cooked quinoa
- Chopped cucumber, red cabbage, broccoli, and shredded carrot
- Chopped Romaine and spinach
Asain Infusion Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon Tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon EACH - salt, pepper, ground ginger, garlic powder
Instructions
- For the dressing:
- Add everything to a small mason jar, put on the lid, and shake until well combined. Makes enough dressing for about 3 salads in a jar.
- To assemble the salad:
- In a pint mason jar add the dressing, quinoa, chopped "extras" and then greens (in that order). Pack the jars pretty tight. Add a lid and store in the fridge. When you are ready to eat dump the jar into a bowl and stir to combine or shake the jar very well and eat from the jar.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Refrigerated
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: easy salad recipe, easy salad, salad in a jar, best salad recipe, work lunch ideas, lunch ideas for work, healthy work lunch ideas, easy work lunch ideas, work lunch box ideas
Other Salad Recipes
- Barbecue Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad
- 6 Simple Salad in a Jar Recipes
- Easy Apple Spinach Salad with an Apple Vinaigrette
- The BEST Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad of Summer
- Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Lime Dressing
- Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
- Midwestern Creamy Cucumber and Vinegar Salad
Other Healthy Lunch Ideas
- 8 Wholesome Lunch-Box Ideas for Adults or Kids
- The Ultimate Hummus and Veggie Sandwich
- The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich
- Easy Healthy Make-Ahead Zucchini Egg Bake
- 5 Easy Healthy Yogurt Bowl Ideas
- 12 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids or Adults
- Six Quick and Easy Hummus Lunch Boxes
This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated in July 2019.
Make yourself a Salad in a Jar or five and make your lunch for the week! It's a great way to feed yourself more vegetables and proteins without much effort.
Wendy Hansen
Great ideas all. . . And I am not offended, for crying out loud. Thanks for posting.
Jessie
I am trying to change my diet but avoid salad because it was too much work to make everyday. I'd never seen a way to make it ahead of time like this! I can't wait to try it.
Anna
What a terrific idea.
Michelle Dickerson
OK - I have what may be a dumb question. Is it possible to use another container besides a mason jar? Just wondering because I don't currently have any of them - and not a lot of storage space. Thanks!
Melissa
I think there is some kind of magic in the glass... I think you could try another glass container that has a lid! If you do, I'd love to know how it goes! I have lots of luck finding mason jars at the thrift store for like a $.50 each just FYI and then you don't have to buy a whole dozen. http://amzn.to/1Vmp02P these are my favorite lids too (be mindful when purchasing if you have wide or regular mouth lids!) Good luck!
julialoha
In Hawaii where, where I live, there are lots of Asians who live and work here. The wonderful salad entitled Asian Invasion immediately struck me as offensive. Please think of another name for this fine salad. Please. I love your website. I love my Asian friends, doctor, dentist, etc. and I am embarrassed for them.
kate
No need to "Vacuum" or anything? The lettuce doesn't turn brown or mushy edged? If not, I'm impressed!!!!!!!!!!! We eat a huge salad (I do it 90% organic, b/c that's where I will spend the $$ - used to be in the meat dept., now it's in the Produce Dept!!) every night, and I really hate making them each night. I make two nights' worth, leaving out the cut cucs and cherry tomatoes, till the second night, but it is still tedious work.
Melissa
No need to do anything special... the jar is magic!
e flynn
I use glass salad dressing jars or glass fruit jars. The canning lids and rings fit these jars perfectly. I recycle this way.
realgamerdog
Great use of these jars.
tanzilc
This is amazing, I have been struggling to loose the last few (10!) lbs I want to and this will really help I think, think I will be ordering some jars tonight
CBrooks
Love everything I'm seeing here. Ihave 7 ravenous children under 12 and an equally hungry husband. We try to eat clean as much as we can but sometimes the boxed mac'n'cheese makes an appearance. We raise our own meat and grow and can a garden. Finding ideas to quickly, easily and cheaply feed 9 people isn't always easy. Great job, thanks
Molly
I love the idea. Have you tried to use avocado? I'm in love with it, but I'm wondering if it would keep in the jar very well. Thanks for the inspiration and the Asian salad above sounds wonderful!!
Melissa
Avocado turns brown pretty quick, so if you throw it in there I'd eat it in a day or two. That sounds SO good right now! Thanks for the idea.
Sandy
Avocados also keep well in the mason jars because of the lid. It seals the air out, the avocado is still delicious after several days. I make these all the time!
Kristen
Hi Melissa, This is just what I need! I'll have to go buy some mason jars. You are amazing and I love you lots. Xx Kristen Southwick
Tina
I love this idea! Looks like I need to go and get me some mason jars!!! Thank you! Thank you!
Dana
What a great idea! When I first saw the title, I thought you were talking about potato salad, macaroni salad, etc. I never dreamed of putting green salad in a jar. Thanks for the idea!