Last updated on March 8th, 2024
This Mason Jar Salad Recipe is the perfect solution for prepping lunch ahead of time to ensure you can still eat good-for-you, satisfying meals throughout your busy week.
These days, we all know that finding a healthy and convenient meal can be super challenging.
That’s why mason jar salads are such a game changer for anybody who’s looking for delicious, portable, nutrition-packed healthy lunches.
Cleverly designed with appetizing layers of fresh ingredients that won’t get soggy, this mason jar salad not only looks incredible but is also so satisfyingly delicious!
I promise, after you make this mason jar salad recipe, you will be counting the minutes for lunch time so you can finally dig in!
Layered Chickpea Salad
In my opinion, this is the perfect mason jar salad recipe.
With chickpeas, cooked turkey, mozzarella cheese, crisp veggies, nuts, and a homemade salad dressing, this layered salad recipe is absolutely mouth-watering!
Why Mason Jar Salads?
So, why are layered mason jar salad recipes so popular?
Well, they’re more than just a trend – they’re a practical solution to the age-old problem of keeping salads crisp and fresh.
By layering ingredients strategically in mason jars (also called canning jars), you will avoid the dreaded soggy salads.
In addition, mason jars are designed to be sealed very tightly.
Making a layered mason jar salad with your ingredients in the proper order will keep it fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Because they’re tall and you can see the ingredients through the glass jar, layering the ingredients is very easy as well as visually appealing.
Mason Jar Salad Order of Ingredients
The best way and proven method for layering your salad ingredients in the proper order for any mason jar salad recipe is as follows:
- First Layer: Salad Dressing – Add dressing to the bottom of the jar prevents the other ingredients from getting soggy while infusing them with flavor.
- Second Layer: Hearty Veggies & Grains – Crunchy veggies and grains are so satisfying in a salad
- Third Layer: Proteins
- Fourth Layer: Cheeses & Nuts
- Fifth Layer: Leafy Greens – These delicate salad greens stay crisp since they are furthest away from the dressing and at the top of the jar.
Real Simple has an excellent graphic showing how to assemble a mason jar salad.
Chickpea Mason Jar Salad Ingredients
- Prepared Wheat Berries
- Dijon Mustard
- White Vinegar
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
- Cooked Turkey Breast
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Grape Tomatoes or Cherry Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red Onion
- Mixed Nuts
Substitutions and Alternate Ingredients
- Swap out the turkey for chicken breast.
- Add in diced bell peppers.
- Throw in some sliced hard-boiled eggs as part of your protein.
- If you’re not a mozzarella fan, use feta cheese.
- Substitute black beans for the chickpeas.
- Instead of mixed nuts you can use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- If red onions are too strong, use sliced spring onions instead.
Easy Instructions
Keep in mind, there is a lot of chopping involved with this particular mason jar salad recipe.
However, it’s very simple and so worth it when it’s all made!
Then you’ll have a delicious, healthy, filling lunch for the upcoming week.
Once everything has been cooked and chopped, you just have to layer your ingredients into your mason jars.
I used two, larger size (quart) wide-mouth jars.
Indeed, it was much easier to add the ingredients this way.
Each quart size jar is 2 servings of salad.
Whereas, each pint size jar is 1 serving of salad.
Technically, this recipe makes 4 servings.
When you’re ready to eat your salad, just give it a good shake and pour it into a serving bowl.
One quart size jar fed both my husband and me.
It’s an incredibly flavor-packed salad!
These salad jars are SO fresh and satisfying.
Another beauty of these salad jar recipes? Sky’s the limit with the variations of different ingredients you can use.
For my grain, I used wheat berries.
Wheat berries are the whole grain form of wheat and are high in fiber and protein.
Nope, I’ve never eaten them before I made this recipe. But now I’m a wheat berry fan! They have a nutty taste and texture.
With endless possibilities for flavor combinations and a foolproof layering technique, these salads are the key to easy grab-n-go meals.
Do you have a favorite mason jar salad recipe?
I’d love to know!
Simple Chickpea Salad Layered in a Mason Jar Recipe
Simple Chickpea Salad Layered in a Mason Jar Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Prepared Wheat Berries
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp White Vinegar
- ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
- ⅛ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 15 ounces Chickpeas, rinsed & drained
- 4 ounces Cooked Turkey Breast, cut in bite size pieces
- 4 ounces Cubed Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup Grape Tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cup Chopped Cucumber
- ¼ cup Red Onion, diced
- 6 tbsp Mixed Nuts, chopped
Instructions
- Cook wheat berries according to package instructions. Let cool.
- In a small bowl whisk together mustard, vinegar, oil and salt & pepper.
- Divide dressing between 4 pint size mason jars OR 2 quart size mason jars.
- Divide cooked wheat berries over dressing.
- Layer remaining ingredients in this order: chickpeas, turkey, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.
- Top off with mixed nuts.
- Cover with lids and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
For more delicious salad recipes, click on over to:
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe with Almond Dressing
Asian Chicken Salad: 6 Weight Watchers Points
How to Quickly Make A Colorful Salad with Broccoli Slaw
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Yum, just looking at these jars full of goodies was fun!!! Now off to make mine!! Thank you Pam!!
You’re welcome! Enjoy!