I have been seeing mason jar salads popping up all over the place lately, and that got me to thinking, what is so great about it, why do I need to eat a salad from a mason jar when a bowl would suffice? Well I was wrong…way wrong! The concept of a mason jar salad is not to look cool eating from a mason jar, it is to be able to have multiple salads/lunches ready to go with no fumbling around with separate dressing containers. Plus they are compact and light weight. They even fit in my purse! So just how does one go about making a mason jar salad? Read on to find out how to get in on the secret!
To make a mason jar salad, you want to begin with your dressing first. This way, it won’t make your salad soggy as it sits throughout the day or even week!
Next you will want to add in hard chopped veggies. These include things like carrots, cucumbers, or peppers.
After the hard veggies add in your cheese and protein!
After that add the softer vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, etc.
Next add in any nuts, seeds or soft grains such as quinoa or millet. Now is the time to add any beans like chickpeas or cannellini beans.
Last, but most important, add in your salad greens!
Cover the jar with an airtight lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days!
When you are ready to eat, grab a bowl and a fork and dump the salad into the bowl. Stir to coat everything with dressing and enjoy! It is so simple and convenient. Below is a recipe that I have been loving lately in my mason jar salads. I will give you the recipe in the order that I put it in the jar!
Mediterranean Mason Jar Salad
2 Tbsp Maple Grove Farms of Vermont - Balsamic Vinaigrette With Pure Maple Syrup
1/3 C chopped cucumber
½ C artichoke hearts
2 Tbsp C shredded parmesan cheese
¼ C chopped tomato
¼ C sliced black olives
1 Tbsp pine nuts
1/3 C Cannellini beans
2 C Spring Mix with Spinach
Total Calories for this salad is 270 calories which leaves room to add some protein for a healthy and filling lunch. Protein options could include chicken, tempeh, tofu or fish!
Let me know if you have a great Mason Jar salad that we should all be trying!