Fresh Vegetable Mason Jar Salad with Homemade Dressing
What is there not to love about a healthy mason jar salad?
The beauty of Mason jar salads is they offer the perfect solution for a satisfying, nutritious lunch on the go or as a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
The key to success with Mason jar salads is the order you add your ingredients. Always add the dressing first, followed by harder vegetables that won’t break down from the dressing. Next, add softer, more tender vegetables and legumes. Last, but not least, add green leafy vegetables and fresh herbs on top so they don’t get all soggy from the dressing.
Fresh Vegetable Mason Jar Salad Instructions:
Serves: 6
Equipment Needed:
6 quart-sized mason jars
Basic Balsamic Dressing:
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup good balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Salad Ingredients:
2 medium English cucumbers, chopped
4 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 large bell peppers, seeded, chopped
1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed, drained
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
2 heads Romaine lettuce, chopped
½ cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Directions:
To prepare the dressing, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, lime juice, and honey together in a small glass or other non-reactive bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired. Set aside.
- Wash and pat dry all vegetables before prepping. Toss Romaine lettuce, parsley, and basil in a medium bowl to combine. Divide all vegetables into 6 equal portions and set aside.
- Divide dressing among the 6 mason jars. Add a layer of chopped cucumbers to each jar, followed by a layer of bell peppers. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles. Next, add chickpeas and then the grape tomatoes. Top each jar with the lettuce-herb mixture and seal with a lid.
- Store salads in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Each salad will last 4-5 days. To serve, remove from refrigerator and pour each jar into a salad bowl and enjoy!
Be Creative with Your Healthy Mason Jar Salads!
You can experiment and use any combination of ingredients you prefer. This vegetarian version is filled with fresh garden goodies, but don’t hesitate to add your own touch in the form of cooked chicken or beef, rice, quinoa, beans, and/or your favorite types of cheese.
Just be sure to add the softer ingredients toward the top to keep them nice and fresh!
