Easy ways to eat yer greens all week long.
Chris Ritter / BuzzFeed
Earthbound Farm / Via ebfarm.com
The secret to a perfect and tasty Mason jar salad is all in the order.
The dressing goes in first. This is so important! This guarantees that your salad ingredients don’t get soggy.
Then go with a grain or a protein, or anything else big and chunky. This protects your more delicate ingredients from getting wet.
Then the fixings. Little things like shaved nuts, raisins, cheeses. The ingredients that you want to stay dry until juuuust before you eat it.
And if you have any leafy greens, they go in last. That way when you turn the Mason jar over and unload it all into a bowl, the greens will make the salad bed. Genius!
Choosing a smart combo of ingredients is also key.
You want to mix textures and flavors. And ideally, you’ll have a filling protein, something salty and crunchy, and something sweet and tangy. Here are some ideas from Earthbound Farm:
Earthbound Farm / Via ebfarm.com
You can DIY your own salad with those tips, or you can make one of these genius concoctions below.
Your call! It’s all easy and tasty.
Fresh And Springy Walnut, Radish, And Apple Salad
Beth / Eat Within Your Means / Via eatwithinyourmeans.com
The walnuts come with heart-healthy fats, and the apples add a hint of sweetness. Get the recipe.
Burrito Bowl Salad
Strictly Delicious / Via strictlydelicious.com
These burrito bowl salads are healthier than your standard Mexican salad fare because they come with Greek yogurt and quinoa. Get the recipe.
Green Garden Vegan Salad
Lunchbox Bunch / Via kblog.lunchboxbunch.com
Yes, those are flowers on top, and they’re totally edible. As are the healthy and tasty veggies underneath. Get the recipe.
Layered Quinoa Salad With Beet Vinaigrette
Marla / Family Fresh Cooking / Via familyfreshcooking.com
That bright pink color comes from a homemade beet vinaigrette. And quinoa is a grain-like food with a lot of protein and fiber, which means it’ll fill you up. Get the recipe here.
Egg And Avocado Mixed Salad
Emma Christensen for The Kitchn
This one’s got eggs, grapes, corn, nuts, and more. See how it’s made here.
Zucchini Noodle Salad With Peas And Quinoa
Inspiralized / Via inspiralized.com
Use a spiralizer to turn your zucchini into a much healthier version of noodles for this salad. Get the recipe.
Asian Noodle Salad
Edamame + red bell peppers + carrots + a peanut butter-based sauce = crunchy, tasty goodness. Get the recipe.
Cajun Shrimp Jar
Lexi’s Clean Kitchen / Via lexiscleankitchen.com
Shrimp is an awesome source of lean protein, and the guac will add healthy fats from avocado. Get the recipe courtesy of Lexi’s Clean Kitchen.
Pomegranate And Pear Salad
Fake Food Free / Via fakefoodfree.com
The pomegranates have vitamin C, the greens and pear slices have fiber, and the chopped nuts and crumbled feta provide healthy fat and protein. Get the recipe here: Pomegranate and Pear Salad Recipe From Mason Jar Salads, courtesy of Fake Food Free.
Rainbow Protein-Packed Salad
Jenny Sugar for Popsugar Fitness / Via popsugar.com
Taste the sweet, sweet antioxidants: Fill this salad with fruits and veggies of every color. Get the recipe.
Chopped Black Bean And Corn Salad
Organize Yourself Skinny / Via organizeyourselfskinny.com
Black beans are a good source of protein, which should help you stay fuller for longer — no more midday crashes. Get the recipe.
Mason Jar Chickpea, Farro, And Greens Salad
Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com
Have you met farro? It’s a seriously under-appreciated grain. One cup of cooked farro contains about 10 grams of fiber and 14 grams of protein — which means that it’ll keep you feeling full and happy well into the afternoon. Get the recipe, courtesy of Cookie and Kate.
Whole Foods Inspired Layered Salad With Orange Ginger Dressing
Oh She Glows / Via ohsheglows.com
This salad is topped with edamame, which is a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin C, and iron. Get the recipe here.
Sprouted Spring Salad
Inspired Edibles / Via inspirededibles.ca
If you like your salads without leafy greens, swap ‘em for sprouts instead. Get the recipe.
Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Honey Lime Vinaigrette
Ya Gotta Have a Hobby / Via yagottahaveahobby.com
Mangos have a ton of vitamin C (one cup of sliced mangos contain about 76% of what you should eat in a day). Get the recipe.
Chicken And Spinach Salad Jars
Foxes Love Lemons / Via foxeslovelemons.com
The chicken adds healthy lean protein to the mix. Get the recipe.
Spinach Salad With Mozzarella, Orzo, And Snap Peas
Earthbound Farm / Via ebfarm.com
Spinach is a cruciferous veggie (just like kale) that has iron, protein, and even some cancer-fighting properties. Get the recipe.
Sunny Kale Kruncher
Lunchbox Bunch / Via kblog.lunchboxbunch.com
This vegan salad is almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. Get the recipe.
