By: Denise Bustard14 Comments
Posted: 8/14/20Updated: 8/15/20
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These 10 healthy mason jar salad recipes can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge for meal prep lunches! Layering your salad in jars helps them to last for longer.
Salads in jars are not just a cute Pinterest fad, they are actually really functional! Like these make ahead salads, these mason jar salad recipes were developed so that they can work for meal prep...and still taste amazing on day 4!
What's the deal with mason jar salads? It's all about the layering. By placing the dressing at the bottom of the jar, and delicate greens towards the top, we are able to keep them from wilting.
How to layer mason jar salads
- dressing in bottom
- protein (chickpeas or chicken) next
- somewhat durable ingredients next (chopped vegetables)
- leafy greens at the top (kale, romaine, spinach)
How to serve mason jar salads
There are two ways to serve your salad: eat it right out of the jar, or dump it into a bowl.
Eat out of the jar
You will need a large jar for this (quart mason jars work well). Layer your salad, and when you're ready to serve, shake it all up, and eat out of the jar.
- it can be tough to get your fork all the way into the bottom of the jar
- make sure to use wide mouth jars as tapered jars are hard to eat out of!
Dump into a bowl
For this method, a smaller (1 pint) jar will work just fine. When you are ready to serve, dump everything out into a bowl. Since the dressing comes out last, it will pour over everything evenly!
- wide mouth or tapered jars work fine for this method
Tips for jar salads
- nuts and seeds will still soften, even when placed at the top. Consider storing them separately to keep them crunchy
- wide mouth jars should be used if you plan to eat out of the jar
- if you don't have a jar, try layering your salads this way in a meal prep container
- find my favorite jars in this post
Chickpea, Barley & Butternut Squash Jar Salads
Make ahead chickpea, barley and butternut squash jar salads will have you looking forward to lunch all morning! Vegetarian, ready in under 1 hour, and tastes amazing, even on day 4.
Check out this recipe
Thai Chickpea Mason Jar Salad
Thai chickpea mason jar salad has a tangy peanut dressing, quinoa, zucchini, carrots and cabbage and is topped with honey roasted peanuts! Ready in under 25 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Southwestern Sweet Potato & Lentil Jar Salads
These sweet potato & lentil jar salads have the most amazing chili lime vinaigrette! Make them ahead and enjoy throughout the week for an easy, healthy on-the-go lunch.
Check out this recipe
Kale Barley Salad with Feta and a Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette
This kale barley salad is full of whole grain, nutrient-rich ingredients that will nourish your body and fill you up! Easy to prepare, vegetarian, and meal prep-friendly!
Check out this recipe
Broccoli Salad Recipe with Almonds and Quinoa
This broccoli salad recipe is a delicious blend of flavors and textures- with almonds, quinoa and an apple cider poppy seed vinaigrette. Easy to prep for a barbecue or for meal prep!
Check out this recipe
Ranch Chicken Jar Salads
These ranch chicken jar salads are made with homemade ranch dressing, baked chicken breast, shredded cheese, and lots of veggies! Low carb with 6 g net carbs, and gluten-free, they are a healthy grab-and-go lunch.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Quinoa Spinach Jar Salads
This strawberry spinach quinoa salad in a jar is the perfect freshsummer meal prep lunch! Spend a bit of time prepping your lunches on the weekend and you'll be the envy of your office.
Check out this recipe
Kale Chicken Pasta Salad
This kale chicken pasta salad is made with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. A healthy meal that works great for meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner!
Check out this recipe
Asian Chicken Mason Jar Salads
These Asian chicken mason jar salads make for an easy and healthy work lunch! They can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 4 days.
Check out this recipe
Arugula and Watermelon Salad in a Jar
Arugula and watermelon salad in a jar is the perfect picnic food! Layering the salad means it will be fresher when you eat it and makes it perfectly portable.
Check out this recipe
Meet Denise Bustard
Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
Read more...
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Reader Interactions
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Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Ooh these all look great love the Asian noodle jar. Perhaps you will join our Meatless Monday linkup one week with one of your yummy recipes!
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Denise says
Hi Deborah, thanks so much! I am definitely hooked on this mason jar salad thing š
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
So I haven't tried mason jar salads yet...what the heck?! I need to get on that train because these look SO good! And salads in a jar are just more fun to eat, too. Love this roundup!
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Denise says
You should try them, Gayle š So practical, and of course cute.
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Catherine says
Dear Denise, this has to be one of my favorite food inventions...its so beautiful and convent. I am loving all these ideas. xo, Catherine
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Denise says
Thanks so much, Catherine! I agree š
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Rachel Cooks says
I want them all! Pinning! Thanks for including mine š
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Denise says
I've just bought a spiralizer and I'm dying to try your zoodle salad, Rachel! Looks delicious!
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Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I have yet to try a mason jar salad but now you've got my mind racing with all sorts of ideas! I love this roundup and can't wait to try these recipes, especially your crunchy Asian chicken salad!
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Denise says
They are so practical! I totally thought it was just for looks, but that stacking thing is great š
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Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I haven't tried a mason jar salad yet...but I can see how clever it really is. I wonder if a plastic quart container would work too, since those won't break. Hmmm...pinning!
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Denise says
I'm sure a plastic container would work just as well, so long as it is 'tall'. Thanks, Andrea š
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Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Oh yes! I love a good mason jar salad. Definitely so much more than just a Pinterest fad. I haven't made one since this summer (when I'm more apt to take food to go), so this is the perfect little reminder. I think I would definitely be better at eating a "proper" lunch if I made up a bunch of these at the start of the week. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Denise says
Agreed! I guess they do seem kind of 'picnic-y', but I think they are great for a packed lunch year round. I have to try your blistered tomato salad!
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