Meal prepping, you see it everywhere these days. Bringing a quick and healthy lunch to work? A salad in a glass jar really makes your break a pleasure. This is how you make the perfect mason jar salad!
Why you should become a fan of mason jar salads
- You can make (and fill) a stock for a whole week in just a few hours.
- It’s cheaper than a daily stop at a sandwich shop.
- It’s so easy that eating healthy food doesn’t feel like a chore at all.
- You can match as many mixes as you like.
- Chances are that you already have a whole range of ingredients at home.
- Stains or a lasting scent are no match for a glass jar.
The secret of the perfect layers
A weak, sad salad isn’t exactly what you imagine for a healthy lunch. The secret lies in the layering of the different ingredients. From bottom to top:
- Dressing (or sauce)
- Cereals (quinoa for example), proteins (chicken breast or chickpeas for inspiration) and “big chunks” go second in your pot.
- All your veggies and fruit
- Leaf green
Tip: turn your pot upside down a few minutes before lunch, so your dressing can spread without everything becoming soggy. Just shake it gently and you’re done! Is your pot a little too full? Then turn the pot upside down with a plate underneath.
How does my salad stays tasty longer?
The more the ingredients are separated, the better. Fine and delicate toppings (seeds and croutons for example)? Then always put them on top. Experiment which vegetables or proteins stay fresh a little longer than others. Sliced tomatoes, avocados, cheese, nuts, rice or granola will discolour a little faster or will wake up a little if you don’t eat them within 24 hours. Which things do stay deliciously fresh? Lettuce, leafy vegetables, onions, quinoa, edamame or carrots stay crispy even after a few hours in your backpack and can be kept in the fridge for a week.
The right dressing
The dressing completes your mason jar salad. With a dressing or vinaigrette based on oil or vinegar you will never get it wrong. Some lemon juice makes fresh vegetables less likely to become fair.
