How to Make Layered Lunches (Mason Jar Salads) (2024)

Healthy Layered Lunches are mason jar salads that are strategically layered in order to keep your greens and dressing separated – ensuring a crisp (not soggy!) healthy lunch!

Are you struggling to eat healthy? Or maybe you just want to get a few more greens into your day? Do you feel like it takes too much time to prep and make a salad?

A few months back I discovered the magic of healthy layered lunches, or as some may call them — mason jar salads.

All of the ingredients you would normally put into a salad are strategically layered in a large mason jar. Your greens and dressing are kept separate in order to keep your salad super crisp, instead of a soggy mess. Just make sure you keep the jar upright until you are ready to eat!

Watch How Easy it is toMake
Healthy Layered Lunches (Mason Jar Salads)
in the Video Below!

So what exactly is this magical order of ingredients that you need to make a healthy layered lunch?

In the diagram below you will see the order in which I tend to layer my mason jar salads.

• DRESSING goes on the bottom so it stays as FAAAARRR away from the greens as possible.
• HARD VEGGIES (carrots, celery, onions, bell peppers, etc.)
• SOFT VEGGIES / FRUIT (beans, corn, apples, grapes, etc.)
• CHEESE / MEATS (chicken, turkey, bacon, cheddar, etc.)
• GRAINS / PASTA (quinoa, pasta, rice, etc.)
• TOPPINGS (nuts, dried fruit, etc.)
• GREENS (spinach, arugula, kale, etc.)

Coming up very soon an e-mail series will be starting FULL of healthy mason jar salads. Over the course of two weeks, you will receive 10 healthy layered lunch recipes, organized grocery lists, and meal prep guides.

What Type of Mason Jars are best for these Healthy Layered Lunches?

Since I am a lover of all things simple, I ordered my mason jars online through Amazon. You can either purchase a pack of 12 here, or you can buy them individually here. There are two main things you want your mason jar to have:

• The capacity to hold up to 32 ounces (to hold a large salad!)
• The lid opening to be a “wide mouth” (for easier retrieval of your salad!)

Tips for Making Your Mason Jar Salads Super Crisp

• Most layered lunches will make it 3-5 days in the refrigerator if stored properly.
• Some ingredients (avocados, tomatoes, etc.) stay most fresh if placed at the top of the jar the night before/day of eating the salad.
• I found that mixed greens do best if I place them in the jar the day of eating. Spinach and kale hold up fine if placed days in advance.
• Fill your jar to the top with greens and seal it tight to prevent too much oxidation during storage!

Want more healthy mason jar salad recipes?

Healthy Taco Salad in a Mason Jar

Turkey & Sweet Potato Salad in a Jar

Chopped Broccoli Salad with Balsamic

Shredded Brussel Sprouts Salad with Cranberries