Mason jar salads are a game changer for busy weeks—they’re portable, pre-portioned, and perfect for keeping your greens fresh and crisp. With the right layering technique, these salads stay delicious for days and make weekday lunches a no-brainer.
These jarred beauties have taken off in popularity thanks to their convenience and Instagram-worthy look, but they’re more than just pretty—they’re practical. Mason jar salads are ideal for meal prep because they prevent soggy greens and help you stay on track with your health goals.
Looking for more salad inspo? Try my Chickpea Artichoke Salad and this Broccoli Crunch Salad for more no-fuss options.
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What are mason jar salads?
Mason jar salads are exactly what they sound like—salads layered in a mason jar, typically for make-ahead meals. The layering technique keeps wet ingredients, like dressing and juicy veggies, away from delicate greens until you're ready to eat.
How to Make The Perfect Mason Jar Salad
- Dressing – Start with 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite dressing at the bottom of the jar.
- Add items that marinate well (hearty veggies & protein)
- grilled chicken
- chickpeas
- steak
- black beans
- tofu
- eggs
- mozzarella
- cucumbers
- cherry tomatoes
- bell peppers
- mushrooms
- celery
- Add grains
- quinoa
- farro
- pasta
- rice
- corn
- Layer soft veggies or fruits
- shredded carrots
- slaw
- tomatoes
- apples
- berries
- Cheese, nuts, dried fruit
- feta
- shredded cheddar
- almonds
- sunflower seeds
- Top with greens
- spinach
- arugula
- romaine
- mixed greens
- kale
Pro-tip: The main component of a mason jar salad is layering the ingredients vertically in a certain order so they don’t get soggy. The dressing goes at the bottom, followed by crunchy vegetables & protein, softer veggies, grains, cheese, nuts and lettuce at the top.
Equipment
- Wide mouth quart mason jar for large salads
- Wide mouth pint sized jar for small salads
Storage and Serving
Store your salads upright in the fridge for 4–5 days. Keeping them tightly sealed helps preserve freshness and crunch.
When you're ready to eat: flip the salad upside-down so the dressing drips to the bottom, give it a good shake and pour your salad into a bowl (or eat it straight out of the jar!).
Top Tip
- Keep your greens very dry before layering to avoid wilting.
- Use wide-mouth jars—they’re easier to fill and eat from.
- Don’t overpack the jar; leave a little space at the top for shaking.
FAQ
With the lid sealed tightly, these salads can last up to 5 days. Store upright and with a paper towel to preserve freshness.
A wide mouth quart sized (32 ounce) mason jar is ideal for large salads, but a wide mouth pint sized mason jar will work for smaller salads.
More Mason Jar Salad Recipe Ideas
Want more easy meal prep ideas like this? Try one of these salads!
Mason Jar Salads
Equipment
- Quart sized wide mouth mason jar, for large salads
- Pint sized wide mouth mason jar, for small salad
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoon dressing
- Protein & hard veggies
- Grains
- Soft veggies & fruit
- Cheese or nuts
- Greens
Chickpea Artichoke Mason Jar Salad
- 2 tablespoon lemon garlic dressing
- 15 oz canned chickpeas
- 14 oz artichoke hearts
- ¼ red onion
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes
Broccoli Crunch Mason Jar Salad
- 2 tablespoon creamy almond butter dressing
- ½ cup chicken or edamame
- 2 broccoli florets
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ red onion
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoon dried cranberries
Pesto Mozzarella Mason Jar Salad
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tbsp pesto
- ½ cup mozzarella balls
- ½ cup roasted red peppers
- ½ cup pasta
- ½ cup arugula or spinach
Strawberry Steak Mason Jar Salad
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup steak
- ¼ cup cucumbers
- ¼ red onion
- ½ cup strawberries
- ½ cup spinach, lettuce or kale
- 1 tablespoon walnuts
- Optional: blue cheese, feta, avocado, tomatoes, poppy seed dressing
Instructions
- Pour dressing into the bottom of a mason jar. Add ingredients in the order listed. When ready to eat, unscrew the lid, flip it upside down and pour into a bowl.
Did you try this? Let us know!