For those who want to eat healthy, but just don’t have the time, salads are probably the easiest and healthiest choices. How to pack your salad in the most convenient way and still manage to stay stylish enough to post that Instagram pic? Welcome to Salad-In-A-Jar 101. (credit: ivankatrump.com & letslassothemoon.com)
Three General Rules To Remember:
1. Layer your ingredients heavy to light
The secret to avoiding a soggy salad is layering your ingredients correctly. Dressing goes on the bottom, followed by heavy ingredients like beans or bulky veggies that won’t suck up all your dressing, then the lighter ingredients. Salad greens always go last.
2. Be sure to include a hearty protein
To ensure your salad fills you up and keeps you satisfied, be sure to include a protein like quinoa, chickpeas, beans, peas, lentils, grilled chicken or fish.
3. Meat toppings will only last three days in the refrigerator
While veggies and beans should hold up a full five days, any cooked meat or fish will only last about three, so keep that in mind when planning your jars.
This picture will help you remember:
Top Recipes For You To Get Started:
1. Mediterranean Salad With Quinoa:
Lemon Dijon Dressing
- 1 ½ tsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tbs. olive oil
Salad
- ½ cup chickpeas
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup quinoa
- ¼ cup diced kalamata olives
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 tbs. raw or sprouted sunflower seeds
- 2 cups organic baby spinach
- First, make the dressing: In a large bowl, add lemon juice, Dijon, salt and pepper.Whisk together vigorously, and then continue whisking as you slowly pour in the oil a few drops at a time until completely combined.
- Pour into the bottom of a large 1-quart mason jar.
- Next, layer salad ingredients in order listed. Screw lid on tight and refrigerate up to five days.
2. South of The Border Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Dressing
Roasted Red Pepper Dressing (Makes 2 servings)
- 2 organic fire-roasted peppers
- 3 tbs. raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbs. fresh lime juice
- 1 tbs. minced fresh cilantro
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- cayenne (optional)
- salt to taste (note that roasted peppers may already have salt)
Salad
- 1/2 cup black beans
- ½ cup grilled tempeh, shrimp or chicken
- 1/2 cup organic corn kernels (blanched)
- 6 grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1/2 cup grated jicama or carrot
- 2 tbs. red onion, minced
- 2 tbs. raw or sprouted pumpkin seeds
- 2 cups organic mesclun greens
- First, make the dressing. Add all of the ingredients to a bullet blender and blend until creamy. Pour half into the bottom of a 1-quart mason jar and reserve the rest for another salad.
- Next, layer salad ingredients in order listed. Screw lid on tight and refrigerate for up to three days.
Roasted Red Pepper Dressing (Makes 2 servings)
- 2 organic fire-roasted peppers
- 3 tbs. raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbs. fresh lime juice
- 1 tbs. minced fresh cilantro
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- cayenne (optional)
- salt to taste (note that roasted peppers may already have salt)
Salad
- ¾ cup black beans
- ½ cup broccoli florets, chopped small
- ½ cup grated carrot
- ½ cup cauliflower florets, chopped small
- ¼ cup shallot or red onion, diced
- 2 tbs. raw or sprouted sunflower seeds
- 2 tbs. raw or sprouted pumpkin seeds
- 2 cups organic mesclun greens
- Pour dressing into bottom of a 1-quart mason jar, then layer salad ingredients in the order listed. Screw lid on tight and refrigerate up to five days.The veggies for this salad can either be roasted or raw. If raw, the key is to chop them very small, into about-¼ inch pieces. If roasting, chop the broccoli, carrot and cauliflower into 1-inch pieces, coat with a little olive oil, and roast in a 425-degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
If You Want To Get Creative:
- Spinach Salad With Mozzarella, Orzo, And Snap Peas
- Zucchini Noodle Salad With Peas And Quinoa
Feeling inspired? Get started today and let us know how you like it!
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