Loaded Salad in a Jar

Are you enjoying your summer so far? I certainly am. So much so. . . I don’t want it to end. All of the back-to-school catalogs and fall catalogs I’ve been getting in the mail make me sad. Summers here in Wisconsin are WAY too short! I’m not going to let it get me down, though. There are plenty of warm days left to come and I’m definitely planning to get out and enjoy them. One of the things I look forward to with my family in the summer are little picnics - either outside on the deck, up north at the lake or right in our own backyard. This Loaded Salad in a Jar is the perfect start to any sweet, intimate picnic and feeds a bunch. Believe it or not, I fed my family of four right out of a quart-size mason jar!

Have you ever made salad in a jar? It’s really a great concept and works wonderfully for picnics, camping, or even work or school lunches. If you don’t like the idea of taking glass with you, buy unbreakable BPA-free mason jars. They’re available in most of the big-name retail chains. It just doesn’t get any easier than this. Imagine trying to lug separate containers of mix-ins and toppings along with you in addition to the lettuce and the dressing. Not convenient, and who wants to bother with all of that anyway? Salad in a jar is where it’s at.

The first part is easy. Dream up all of the yummy mix-ins you’d like to have in your salad. To each his/her own. I gathered up some green peas, croutons, red onion, chopped cucumber and grape tomatoes.

Then, I ran to the pantry and grabbed some slivered almonds and cranberries to drop in on top of the veggies. I’m getting hungry again just thinking about it.

Did you know that there’s an actual art and science that goes into salad in a jar? I found this illustration on Pinterest (which I absolutely love) and it inspired me to create this post in the first place.

So, here's what you need to do:

The dressing goes in first. I used my Homemade Cucumber Ranch Dressing. Divine! Then, I threw in my croutons. That was a very strategic move. If my dressing coated or soaked into anything, I wanted it to be the croutons rather than anything else. They also provided a nice base for the rest of my veggies that I didn’t want getting soggy in the dressing.

I put the tomatoes in next because they were the heaviest of the veggies. The chopped cucumber, green peas and red onion went in on top of the tomatoes in no particular order.

The almonds and cranberries got dropped in next. . .

and the mixed greens went in last, on top of everything else. Now, don’t take up TOO much room with all the mix-ins. You need a little breathing room in your jar. I'll tell you why in a minute. . .or less. Depending on how fast you read.  🙂

So, once your creation is built, refrigerate the jar or jars immediately. Pack the jar in a cooler or between cooler packs in your lunch bag until you get to your destination. Here’s the fun part. . .as if we weren’t having fun already, right? Make sure the lid is tightly on your jar and then shake it. Yep, you heard me. Shake it. Shake it like a Polaroid picture. . . until the dressing mixes and mingles with all of the veggies and the mixed greens.

Beautiful! Isn't this so worth it? Not to have to mess with a bunch of extra bottles and containers when you want to take a salad on-the-go? The last step is the easiest and the one we've all been waiting for. Dump the contents out onto a plate for everyone to enjoy. Heck, save yourself some dishes and just bring one plate and multiple forks! Heck, if it's just you, eat right out of the jar! It makes no difference how you eat it, just dig in and enjoy the rest of the summer! Bon appétit!

Loaded Salad in a Jar

The easiest and most convenient way to prepare a delicious salad for meals at the office, on-the-go, picnics and camping!

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Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 0 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Calories: 493kcal

Author: Sara

adjust servings: 1

Ingredients

• ▢ ¼ diced cucumber (peeled & chopped)
• ▢ ¼ cup red onion (chopped)
• ▢ ½ cup croutons
• ▢ 5-6 grape tomatoes
• ▢ ¼ cup slivered almonds
• ▢ ¼ cup cranberries
• ▢ ¼ cup green peas (boiled and cooled)
• ▢ 1 cup mixed greens
• ▢ ⅓ cup salad dressing

Instructions

• Add the salad dressing to bottom of a quart-sized mason jar.
• Drop in the croutons, then the tomatoes.
• Add the rest of the vegetables in no specific order.
• Toss in the almonds and cranberries.
• Top with the mixed greens.
• Shake the jar well before serving so the dressing mixes with all of the other mix-ins.
• Empty the contents out onto a plate and enjoy!

Notes

1. Layer Ingredients Strategically: When assembling a salad in a jar, layer the ingredients strategically to ensure that they stay fresh and crisp until serving. Start by adding the salad dressing to the bottom of the jar to prevent the other ingredients from becoming soggy. Follow with denser and sturdier ingredients like croutons and tomatoes, which can withstand contact with the dressing without becoming too soggy. Then layer the more delicate ingredients, like cucumber, red onion, slivered almonds, cranberries, and boiled peas. Finish with the mixed greens on top to prevent them from wilting prematurely.
2. Keep Ingredients Dry: To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, it's important to keep the ingredients dry when layering them in the jar. Pat dry ingredients like cucumber, tomatoes, and boiled peas with a paper towel before adding them to the jar. This helps remove excess moisture and prolongs the freshness of the salad. Additionally, ensure that the jar is completely dry before adding the dressing to prevent any moisture buildup.
3. Shake Well Before Serving: Before enjoying your loaded salad, give the jar a good shake to distribute the dressing evenly throughout the ingredients. This ensures that every bite is coated with the delicious dressing and enhances the overall flavor of the salad. Once shaken, empty the contents onto a plate or bowl and toss lightly to combine before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 903mg | Potassium: 821mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1538IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 3mg

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