Mason Jar Salad Prep- A Real Time Saver

Are you pressed for time or energy, but still want to eat healthy salads and meals? Finding ways to eat healthier may require finding ways to prep smarter. Mason Jars are the answer for me.

I love eating salads, but I hate the mess and the prep of making them daily. My solution is to make one GIANT salad on Sunday and divide it into mason jars for the next 5 days. 

Mason Jars 

The air-tight mason jars keep the salad fresh for  up to 5 days. This way I only have the mess of washing, cutting, and cleaning up once - but we eat a delicious healthy salad for 5 days. It takes me about 35-45 minutes to prep- wash, cut, pack the jars, and clean up any mess.

Yes, I've posted about this before, but it's worth a reminder!

Salads are a vital part of a healthy diet and helps keep calories down too. It's important to get a mix of vegetables daily - uncooked and cooked. 

Farmer's Market Every Saturday Morning

I visit the local farmer's market each Saturday and stock up on whatever is growing at the organic farm that week. 

Right now I am getting radicchio, romaine and leafy green lettuce, micro-greens, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, scallions, and corn. All of fresh and organic.

My salads are certainly not boring. They are varied, tasty, and colorful and color is the key to getting enough protective antioxidants since each color has its own job to do in the body. 

I wash everything and then start the cutting and slicing. The salad  gets divided into two large salad bowls and then I toss them and divide them into my mason jars which help keep them air-tight for the next 5 days. - Actually I have even used regular jars that I've washed and saved from other products with lids and it works well too.

Personally, I do not usually add dressing to the jars as it can make the salads soggy. Instead add your salad dressing just before consuming your salad or add the dressing to the bottom of the jar and don't turn over until ready to eat.

Want a full lunch in your jar? 

If you would like your entire lunch in each jar, add a layer of beans such as chickpeas, rice, quinoa, etc in each jar if you want to take it with you for a full lunch. If you want to add the dressing to the jar for a grab and go lunch always add the dressing first, to the bottom of the jar to prevent the dressing from making the entire salad soggy.

Apples in Salad? 

I like to add chopped apple to add sweetness, crunchiness, and juiciness. In addition to the produce that I get at the farmer's market, I like to chop up some sweet red apple into my salad which I find is juicy and eliminates the need for me to add a salad dressing.

You can add other items to your mason jar salad such as: 

Red cabbage, shelled and chopped nuts such as walnuts or pistachios, radishes, raw mushrooms, chickpeas, olives, red pepper, capers, etc. - Just drain any liquid.

Don't like lettuce salads? 

Sometimes I don't even use lettuce in my salad- doesn't matter. Make your salad how ever you enjoy it. 

A Real Time Saver for 5 Days of Fresh Salad

I make enough salad for both me and my husband to have a large healthy salad each night.  This is a real time saver and I know there are many nights that I would just be too unmotivated to take all the salad ingredients out of the refrigerator and make a salad.

When the salads are pre-made, we are more likely to eat salad everyday. Remember raw uncooked vegetables provide enzymes and antioxidants that are vital for our health as well as fiber. (Always check with your doctor before making any changes in your diet). AND yes, the salads do stay fresh for a full 5 days!

Use Wide Mouth  Mason Jars 

I buy the wide mouth Mason jars because they are much easier to add the salad to them or I save wide mouth jars with lids from other products that I use as well. Make sure your jars are very clean and dry before you add the salad to keep salad fresh.

Do you prep your salads in advance or make them the day you are going to eat them? 

Follow Me on Instagram at Judeethefoodie  (link) .. for additional recipes, entertaining ideas, and healthy lifestyle. I'm just getting started on Instagram and need to build followers. Thanks. 

My Notes: 

1. Use a salad spinner to help dry lettuce after washing it (thanks Noreen).

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to give medical advice- always consult with your doctor about your personal diet needs.