Jar Salads
Jar Salads are the way to go if you’re looking for a vibrant, healthy lunch idea that stays fresh all week. These layered jar salads with pearl couscous, quinoa, chicken, and a creamy Green Goddess dressing are exactly what your meal prep routine needs. And Greek jar salad options too… Packed with protein, greens, and big flavor, these portable salads are as pretty as they are practical.
Bright, Fresh, and Full of Flavor: The Ultimate Jar Salads You’ll Crave All Year Long!
If you’re looking for a healthy, easy salad recipes that pack a little more punch than plain salad, these jar salads are a real winner!
These high-protein mason jar salads are always a delight to see in the fridge. I sometimes wrap a plastic fork around the top with some twine and share them.
I love using 16 oz wide-mouth jars for making jar salads, storing leftovers like SOUP, making pickled vegetables, and so many more uses.
And these leakproof lids work well when we go camping, you don’t want any liquids leaking as things get rattled around on the road.
Ingredients
- Pearl couscous (another small pasta to use orzo, ditalini, or elbows)
- quinoa (I used red quinoa)
- chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
- cooked diced chicken
- olives (black olives or kalamata olives)
- cucumbers (sliced and cut into quarters)
- tomatoes (small tomatoes or larger tomatoes, diced)
- feta cheese, cubed
- Add mint, chopped greens, and diced red onion if desired
Green Goddess Dressing is so yummy and just about the prettiest green ever!
And I’m listing the yummiest Greek Dressing below.
Using an immersion blender to combine salad dressing will emulsify it, creating a silky smooth and creamy salad dressing.
*Add an egg into the salad dressing to make it extra thick and creamy.
Greek Salad Dressing
- 3/4 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- pinch coarse kosher salt and black pepper
Add in some falafel for a fun Greek version. Another option is to add this couscous.
These salads look so appetizing!
All layered and pretty, grab-and-go meals are the secret to eating healthy when life gets busy. Whether you’re headed to the office, wrangling kids at home, heading to the beach, or just trying to keep your week on track, mason jar salads make eating simple, satisfying, and seriously delicious.
All the ingredients will be packed into glass jars or the container of your choice.
Don’t forget the salad dressing. I place the dressing in 2-oz containers.
I use 2-cup glass jars, go ahead and use a 3-cup jars if you want more room to shake them.
I use this mini tart shaper to press down items in the jar to level the ingredients.
You can eat them out of the jar or pour them out into a bowl.
The flavor possibilities are endless!
Greek recipes are some of my all-time favorites.
If I see the word KABOB, I have no self-control and must give it a try.
Greek Pasta Salad recipe here, mix it in a bowl or layer it up in these jars for the best meal prep!
More Greek Inspired Recipes:
- Pickled Turnips
- Mediterranean Marinated Chicken
- Whipped Feta Dip
- Greek Chicken Breasts
- Greek Spiral Cucumber Salad
- Quinoa Tabbouleh
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Greek No-Mayo Potato Salad
- Greek Chicken Meatballs
- Greek Chicken Salad + Tomato Dressing
- Sour Cream Chicken Thighs
When will you be making these mason jar salads? If you have leftover cooked pearl couscous or quinoa, go right ahead and freeze it for next time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
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Make-ahead friendly – stays crisp for 4-5 days in the fridge.
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Protein-packed thanks to quinoa and couscous.
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Customizable – switch up the veggies or grains to match your mood.
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Perfect for lunch on the go or a quick dinner.
Jar Salads
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Pearl couscous or small pasta to use orzo, ditalini, or elbows
- 1 cup quinoa any color
- 1 16 oz can chickpeas/garbanzo beans)
- 1 1/2 lbs cooked diced chicken
- 1 cup sliced olives, black or Kalamata olives
- 2 cucumbers, sliced and cut into quarters
- 1 cup tomatoes, small tomatoes sliced or larger tomatoes diced if desired
- 4 oz feta cheese, diced/cubed, or crumbled
- OPTIONAL: chopped fresh mint, chopped greens/lettuce, and diced red onion
Instructions
- Gather your jars (or container of choice), lids and forks if needed
- Cook couscous according to directions.
- Cook quinoa according to directions.
- Drain and rinse chickpeas
- All other items should be ready to add (cut any other items you'll be adding)
- Start adding items to each jar and press down with a long spoon or tart shaper, creating the layers.
- Place dressing in small containers and place them on top for easy transport.
- Add the lids, tie on the forks if desired with twine or ribbon.
- Place in the fridge until ready to serve. Enjoy!