Salad in a Jar Recipes for the Busy Mom
Now, I know you’ve seen them everywhere on Pinterest and Instagram. I mean, how could you miss it? I’m talking about those salad in a jar recipes. And if you are a busy mom, you should pay attention. because these things are about to become your new best friend.
I have a problem…if I don’t prepare meals ahead of time( not plan, i mean actually PREPARE them), I don’t eat healthy. At least, not at lunch time. Lunch is usually something eaten on the go while I’m running errands or sitting at my desk trying to meet a deadline. And that meant fast food, chips, hot dogs from qt….
So while I had breakfast and dinner relatively under control due to crock pots and overnight oats, lunch was the wild wild west. And my weight just keep going up instead of down like I wanted. So I had seen all of the pretty colorful salad in a jar recipes, but I ignored them. I thought it was..a gimmick. And then I made one….and I ate it…I made a week’s worth…and I ATE THEM.
Life changing folks.
I posted one on Instagram and I got so many questions about how, why. what?
So I decided to share a few tips and salad in a jar recipes. because sharing is caring right?
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SALAD IN A JAR
- THE most important thing to remember about a salad in a jar: DRESSING ON THE BOTTOM. You want to make sure that your greens are as far away from your dressing as you can get them. It keeps your greens fresh and crisp.
- Jam pack your jars. Not only does it make a good salad, but it keeps everything from moving around. The less air between your layers, the longer your salad will last.
- If you are making a side salad( like you are taking a soup and salad or a salad and a sandwich), use the pint-sized mason jars. If you are going to make your salad a full meal, use the quart sized jars.
- The longest I’ve ever saved a salad in the jar in the fridge was 8 days. The veggies on the bottom were marinated in the dressing, but they were delicious.
- Be sure to add a protein. You want it to last.
Building a Salad in a Jar 101
Now…the most important part and what to put where. This is order from the bottom up.
- Dressing: Goes at the bottom.
- Hard Veggies: These are veggies that won’t soak up your dressing. Veggies like carrots, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers broccoli, chickpeas
- Soft Veggies: Corm, onions, mushroom, avocado, strawberries
- Protein/carbs: chicken, quinoa, rice, tofu, black beans, boiled eggs
- Any nuts, seeds or salad toppings you like
- Leafy greens
And that’s it. When it’s time to eat, simply dump it into a bowl and eat.
Quick, easy, done.
Salad in a Jar Recipes
I’ve included 3 of my favorite recipes here but basically, you can put anything you want in a jar and call it a day.
But incase you need ideas…I got you! Enjoy!
Basic Grilled Chicken Salad In a Jar
In this order:
Light Italian Dressing ( I like )
Grape tomatoes, cut in half
Cucumbers
Corn
Boiled egg
Grilled or Baked chicken
Romaine Lettuce
Shrimp Zoodle Salad in Jar
In this order:
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Cherry tomatos
Cucumbers
Red peppers
Yellow Peppers
Shrimp
Zoodles( zucchini noodles spiralized. I use THIS one)
Quinoa Salad in a Jar
In this order:
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Chickpeas
Red Peppers
Quinoa
Feta cheese
Arugula
So guys, TRY IT! Salads in a jar are perfectly convenient and you can basically put whatever you want in them as long as it fits in the jar.
Enjoy!
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I love salads in a jar. They are the exact right portion size and super easy to take on the go.
Wow, these all sound great! The whole idea of salads in a jar have seemed appealing to me, yet I have never made one. The way you laid this out (not just specific salads, but actually how to layer them and why) made this seem like it is quite simple to do if you follow the “rules” of layering. Thanks for that! I’m excited to give these a try. And I hope the numbers on the scale start to come down for me, too!
Okay, I think you may have sold me on salad in a jar. I was thinking the same as you used to, that it’s a fad or gimmick, but now I see it really could be useful. They sure look pretty. 🙂
I want the shrimp one today! I have to make sure I write down my list for the store or I will miss stuff completely
I like the idea of salads in a jar. That shrimp zoodles salad sounds really tasty. I have been meaning to try zoodles.
I just pinned this! xoxo
thank you!
These are fabulous! Perfect to bring on our walks or to the parks for our picnics! My kids would love them too. I love the idea of it all in one jar and off you go!
These are super easy salad ideas, I am going to try a few as a means to have food stocked up. Appreciate you sharing these ideas!
I love these salad ideas!! I think they would be great to keep in the fridge for the kids to have for snacks!
I actully haven’t heard of this. As I’m getting my life together with my new routine, I’m eager to give this a try. They look good.
HEEEEEY Joi!
I’m loving these ideas. I should really start making these for my boyfriend’s work lunches every now and then!
These are amazing. I think I’ll be making a few of them for my hubbys lunches!
This is such a great idea. I love taking salads to work so I will have to give this a try.
I’d like to make some of these up for lunch ideas. My daughter pops in on her lunch break every day and there are times I have to rush to get lunch cooked. She LOVES salads so I really will make some. I love salad too.
This is a great idea. MY daughter would totally dig this as she love salad and preparing them is her favorite.
I really need to make this! I am the worst at making time to eat.
I have always wanted to try those salads in a jar!! They look yummy!!
Salad in a jar is one of my favorite lunch ideas! I’ve been doing it for a while and I love how easy and versatile they are!
This is such a great idea! I love the idea of making them easy to-go in the jars. Need to try this!
These are pretty handy, I’m printing this for future use. I love salads!
Thanks for sharing! Its about to be back to school and i tend to forget to eat lunch so having these on hand would be great!