Why I Love Mason Jar Salads for Meal Prep:

When it comes to making meals ahead of time (especially lunches), I love to make mason jar salads! These salads can be incredibly versatile (more videos on different kinds of mason jar salads to come), and they are simple to put together. Another great thing about mason jar salads is that they can be taken with you on the go, or enjoyed at home...and the best part is, they are ready when you are!

Everything stays fresh (not soggy or wilted):

I love making salads in mason jars (and/or prepping my salad toppings and keeping them in mason jars in the fridge) because they are guaranteed to be just as fresh and delicious as they day you prepare them, for up to 5-7 days. The best way to pack the salads in a jar is to start with the heartiest ingredients (think cucumbers and bell peppers) with the dressing on the bottom of the jar and work your way up through the lighter ingredients (think tomatoes and hard boiled eggs).

Steps for Layering Mason Jar Salad Ingredients:

• Salad Dressings: Pour 1-3 tablespoons of your favorite salad dressing in the bottom of the jar, (adjust according to personal preference). Or you may place the dressing in a separate container on the side, (which is what I personally recommend).
• Hard Vegetables: At the bottom of the jar, add your hearty chopped vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, red and green peppers, etc.
• Beans: Also at the bottom of the jar, add any beans if using, such as chickpeas, black beans, etc.
• Cheese and Proteins: Next add any of your heartier proteins such as cooked fish, diced (cooked) chicken, cooked ground turkey, etc.
• Softer Fruits/Vegetables: Next, add any soft vegetables or fruits, like avocados, tomatoes, berries, etc.
• Nuts/Seeds/Hardboiled Eggs: Top the salad off with any nuts, seeds, hard boiled eggs, or anything you may want to add for a crunch that you don't want getting soggy.
• Lettuce: Last but not least, fill the rest of the jar with salad greens if you desire, or as I suggest in this video, keep your lettuce in a separate bowl/container. That way when you are ready to eat your salad, you can dump everything into the bowl with your lettuce and enjoy!