Easy and Affordable Jarred Salad Recipes for Everyday Cooks (2024)

November 27, 2016November 4, 2023Lunch, Salad

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What’s up, Hungry People?

Ever had the inkling to munch on something fresh, satisfying, and hassle-free all week? Let me tell you, salads in jars are your saviors when the holiday craziness hits. I get it – who has the time to worry about lunch when you’re busy not burning the holiday roast?

Getting Started with the Greens

I’ve raided the grocery store and rescued some chicken, shrimp, and bacon from their mundane existence. For the greens, I’ve clung to my good ol’ pals spinach and romaine – they’re tough cookies that don’t turn into a sad, wilted mess as the week drags on.

Here’s What You Need for EVERYTHING:

• Ranch dressing: – Adds a creamy zest and tang to the salad.
• Carrots: – Provides crunch and sweetness; packed with vitamins.
• Cherry tomatoes: – Juicy burst of flavor and a pop of color.
• Hard-boiled egg: – Offers richness and a satisfying, protein-packed chew.
• Bacon: – Delivers a smoky crunch; a savory contrast to the shrimp.
• Parmesan cheese: – Brings a salty, nutty bite to the salad.
• Chicken: – Hearty, lean protein that makes the salad filling.
• Romaine lettuce hearts: – Crunchy, fresh base with a mild taste.
• Croutons: – Adds crunch and carbs to round out the meal.
• Shrimp: – Sweet, seafood protein, light but satisfying.
• Lemon slice: – A spritz adds bright acidity to balance flavors.
• Creamy balsamic vinaigrette: – Thick, sweet, and tart dressing for depth.
• Broccoli florets: – Earthy crunch and nutrients.
• Tomato slices: – Adds moisture and a fresh, acidic touch.
• Mozzarella pearls: – Soft, creamy cheese that adds luxurious texture.
• Balsamic vinegar: – Intense sweetness and tang for a flavor kick.
• Mixed greens: – A varied, nutrient-rich, leafy foundation.
• Ginger dressing: – Spicy and sweet, with a zesty punch.
• Feta cheese: – Salty, tangy cheese to crumble for texture contrast.
• Garlic vinaigrette: – Pungent and savory dressing for a flavor boost.
• Red onion: – Sharp, aromatic kick and a hint of sweetness.
• Capers: – Briny pop to complement the chicken.
• Raisins: – Tiny bursts of sweetness to offset savory notes.
• Goat cheese: – Creamy, tangy, and earthy richness.
• Spinach: – Tender and iron-rich for a healthy salad base.
• Buffalo sauce: – Spicy, vinegary heat to liven up the salad.
• Celery: – Crunchy, refreshing with a mild peppery flavor.
• Blue cheese crumbles: – Adds a bold, tangy mold-aged flavor.
• Red bell peppers: – Sweet, juicy crunch and vibrant color.
• Apple cider vinaigrette: – Fruity and tangy with a sweet-sharp edge.
• Apple: – Crisp and juicy with a hint of sweetness.
• Goat cheese crumbles: – Adds a creamy and tart note.

The Strategy Behind the Stack

Let’s not turn salad making into a free-for-all – there’s a science behind the layering:

• Level One: Dressing
• Level Two: Hearty Vegetables (example: cherry tomato, onion, celery, carrots, etc.)
• Level Three: Lighter Vegetables (example: corn, beans, broccoli, etc.)
• Level Four: Lighter Proteins and/or Dairy (example: hard boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, etc.)
• Level Five: Proteins (example: chicken, shrimp, etc.)
• Level Six: Greens
• Level Seven: Optional dry toppings (example: croutons wrapped in plastic, etc.)

Sweet Onion Shrimp

Fell hard for the sweet onion dressing this time around – it’s the bee’s knees with shrimp. Adding asparagus was a stroke of genius (if I do say so myself) for that crunch factor. Gobble up the shrimp salads early in the week to avoid a seafood standoff in your fridge. Oh, and lemon isn’t just for tequila shots – it keeps the shrimp company too.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons of ranch
• 5 tablespoons of shredded carrots
• 4-5 cherry tomatoes
• 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced thin
• 1 strip bacon, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• 4-5 strips grilled chicken
• 1-2 cups chopped romaine hearts
• Croutons, cozily wrapped in plastic (optional)

The Italian

My heart belongs to balsamic – the thicker and more puckering, the better. This salad is like a Venetian gondola ride for your taste buds, with mozzarella pearls hanging out, soaking up the balsamic goodness as the days go by. A romance between cheese and vinegar – only in salads, folks.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons creamy balsamic vinaigrette
• 3-4 broccoli florets
• 2-3 slices of tomato
• 4 tablespoons mozzarella pearls
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 cups mixed baby romaine salad mix
• Croutons, wrapped in plastic (optional)

Ginger Shrimp

Adding ginger is like upgrading from coach to first-class – everything just gets better. This ginger shrimp salad knows what’s up, making it a front-runner in the race to my stomach.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons ginger dressing
• 3-4 shallot slices
• 3-4 tomato slices
• 4 tablespoons shredded carrots
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese
• 4-5 grilled shrimp
• 1 slice lemon, quartered (boot it before you eat)
• 1 cup romaine hearts
• 1 cup mixed greens
• Croutons, in their own little plastic bubble (optional)

Garlic Chicken

Garlic Expressions dressing could be the ruler of the dressing empire, with its healthy profile and flavor that kicks. Raisins and capers team up with garlic in this bowl of yums – no bland salads allowed.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons garlic vinaigrette
• 4-5 cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons red onion
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 tablespoon raisins
• 2 tablespoons goat cheese
• 4-5 strips of grilled chicken
• 1-2 cups of spinach
• Croutons, snug in plastic (optional)

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Perfect for when you’re pretending to care about sports on a Friday night. Blue cheese and buffalo sauce are the MVPs here, keeping things lively no matter the scoreboard.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce
• 4 tablespoons chopped celery
• 3-4 shallot slices
• 3-4 cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
• 2 tablespoons chopped red peppers
• 2 strips bacon, crumbled
• 4-5 strips of grilled chicken
• 1-2 cups romaine hearts
• Croutons, cling-wrapped for freshness (optional)

BONUS SALAD: Crisp Apple Spinach

So when I make these video recipes, not everything turns out perfectly…this video was in fact meant to be SEVEN salads, but somewhere in the filming process, my camera stopped recording! Unfortunately, this salad, probably the best salad, didn’t make the final cut. It’s a salad topped with crisp apples in an apple vinaigrette from Bragg’s.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons apple vinaigrette
• 5-6 apple cubes
• 2 tablespoons goat cheese
• 3-4 shallot slices
• 3 tablespoons shredded carrots
• 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
• 2-3 cups spinach
• Croutons, tidily wrapped in plastic (optional)

More Tips for Making Salads in Jars

• Be Dressing-Savvy: – Remember, dressings coat better when at room temperature. If you’re pulling them right out of the fridge, give them a quick whirl in the microwave for just about 10 seconds to loosen them up—just enough so they mingle with all the other goodies in your salad.
• Chop for Texture: – Bite-sized pieces are key for a salad that’s easy to eat. No one’s here for a game of chase-the-lettuce on their plate. Keep it tidy!
• Keep It Fresh: – Romaine and mixed greens should be fresh and crisp. Limp lettuce is a sad, sad story that we don’t want to tell on our plates.
• Crunchy Crouton Hack: – To keep croutons crunchy, don’t dress them! Add them last, after you’ve dressed your salad, so they keep their satisfying crunch.
• Cooking Chicken and Shrimp: – Whether grilling or pan-searing, let the meat rest a few minutes after cooking before slicing. This keeps the juices in and the flavor maxed.
• Balancing Act: – Got too much dressing? Too little? Your salad should be coated but not swimming. Start with a little dressing, then add more as needed. Taste as you go!
• Fruit in Salad: – Adding fruits like apple can be a sweet twist, but remember, they brown fast once cut. A little lemon juice can keep the color vibrant until you’re ready to serve.
• Cheese Please: – If using cheeses like feta or goat, crumble them cold right out of the fridge. It’s less messy and the pieces stay intact for a beautiful salad presentation.

Wrapping up this festive salad fiasco, it’s about the mix, the match, and the magic that happens when you toss it all together. Every bite is a little nod to the ingenuity of combining the commonplace to create something unexpectedly special.

Whether you’re a fan of the sweet onion shrimp salad or the tongue-tingling buffalo chicken dance, these bowls are more than just leafy lunches—they’re a full-on flavor fest. Remember, these salads are like a good jazz ensemble—every ingredient gets a solo, and together, they sing. Whip them up for a quick lunch, a dinner side, or a main-course that stands tall. Trust me, Hungry People, your salad game is about to get strong.