Jar Salads

So, I know these jar salads have been all over Pinterest and the blogging world.  I have even seen them in the refrigerators of some of my favorite YouTubers.  But I wanted to share with you my take on these jar salad wonders.  First, can we just acknowledge for a minute the multiple uses of the simple Mason Jar?  They have been used for generations to can food, collect treasures and toast an iced tea or lemonade.  I have always had them in my kitchen as drinking glasses and I use them in many organizational projects that I will share another time.  

I like to store my leftovers in glass containers, not sure why, Mom always did so I do too.  I often use my wide mouth jars for leftover soup, chili, pasta and the like.  But these Jar Salads are a stroke of genius!  So  love this concept.  I think the only thing I do differently then what I have seen out in blogger world is that I build the salad from the leftovers that I already have rather then starting with a jar salad recipe.  This has worked so well for me because it can really stretch our dinner leftovers into healthy take-along lunches.  

For example, Monday night we had Tacos, rice, beans with roasted broccoli and cauliflower.   I was able to make 4 Jar Salads from our leftovers.

Each jar had 7 great layers starting from the bottom up:
  • I start with 2 tablespoons of dressing, today was a Good Seasons Italian packet mixed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
  • A layer of cous cous and rice mix.
  • Black beans
  • Turkey taco meat
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Roasted broccoli and cauliflower
  • Sweet lettuce bagged mix.  I used almost all of both bags.

The amount used in each layer is determined by what you have leftover and the tastes of the lucky ones taking one of these jars for lunch.  Be sure to load as much salad as you possibly can into each jar.  The more you add the heartier the lunch and it keeps all the other layers from shifting.  

My husband loves to take these to work for lunch and I love having something healthy waiting for me after class.

If you have some mason jars hanging around, give these jar salads a try.  Healthy and convenient too!

If you have just stumbled upon my little blog, I hope you will leave me a comment and let me know where your from and I hope you will add yourself to my blog followers.  I always follow back if your a blogger and spread a little love.

What do you guys pack for lunch?

xoxo,
Mickey



4 comments

  1. This is such a great idea! I am always trying to make meals that my husband can take as leftovers the next day. I'm a new follower to your blog!
    Lindsey
    www.brushingourwaythroughlife.blogspot.com

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  2. Hi Lindsey, So glad you came for a visit! The Salad Jars are such an easy way to pack a great healthy lunch. A made a visit to your blog, very cute!

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  3. What a fun idea! Thanks for the great inspiration!

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  4. Hi Dori! Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you will take a minute and add your picture to my blog followers!
    xoxo Mickey

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