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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. 
4. 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.
5. 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.

1. Dressing: Goes at the bottom.
2. Hard Veggies: These are veggies that won’t soak up your dressing. Veggies like carrots, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers broccoli, chickpeas
3. Soft Veggies: Corm, onions, mushroom, avocado, strawberries
4. Protein/carbs: chicken, quinoa, rice, tofu, black beans, boiled eggs
5.  Any nuts, seeds or salad toppings you like
6. 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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