Meal Prep Salad Jars with Lemon-Dijon Dressing
Crisp zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet mini bell peppers mingle with tangy feta crumbles and crunchy sliced almonds. The zesty dijon dressing ties everything together, making each bite feel refreshing and invigorating. This is the ultimate summer salad!
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What can I expect?
Say goodbye to soggy salads for good! Unlike the premade store-bought varieties that become wilted and sad, this salad jar recipe layers ingredient so they stay vibrant and fresh for days. Then, all you have to do is give your jar a shake, and enjoy!
In addition, you won’t find any strange ingredients or preservatives here. Instead, we use fresh, natural foods for tons of flavor and a boost of nutrients that will leave you feeling full and energized.
Mix and match your favorite seasonal ingredients to make the recipe your own, and enjoy a healthy meal that will leave you feeling satisfied. One bite and you’ll never go back to overpriced, unhealthy takeout salads again!
Are Salad Jars Healthy?
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Let’s take a look at the main ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Zucchinis
- Cherry tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Nuts and seeds
- Feta crumbles
Olive oil, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, nuts, and seeds are all-natural, nutritious food sources. Each has its own health benefits and can be used to add nutrients and flavor to a variety of recipes.
But what about feta? Is dairy healthy?
Here’s what we know. Dairy is full of vitamins, minerals, protein, and natural fat energy. But if everyone consumed dairy all of the time, dairy farming would become abusive and unsustainable…
Let’s be mindful of our dairy intake. Buy dairy that comes from pasture-raised cows and try to eat less.
Enjoy this salad jar with lemon dijon dressing, knowing it supports your well-being. Learn more about the Neutral Eating Food Philosophy here.
Salad Jar Tips
1. Add protein
This salad jar recipe is a healthy, satisfying meal on its own. However, if you want to bulk it up even more, feel free to incorporate extra protein! For instance, hardboiled eggs, pesto chicken, salmon, turkey crumbles, or tuna all taste great.
2. Make it dairy-free
For a dairy-free salad jar, simply swap out the feta for your favorite dairy-free cheese. Or, replace it with extra nuts and seeds, nutritional yeast, or avocado for extra fiber and nutrients.
3. Layering technique
When it comes to making the perfect salad jar, using the proper layering technique is crucial. Otherwise, your ingredients could become soggy! Start by adding all liquids first. Then, include harder, more durable vegetables followed by softer, more water-heavy ones such as cucumbers or tomatoes. Finally, finish with the softest, most delicate items like cheese, nuts, and seeds.
4. Include a side
Turn this salad jar into a healthy restaurant-worthy meal with the addition of a side such as a low-carb sandwich, a warm bowl of soup, or low-carb dinner rolls.
5. Meal Prep
This salad jar recipe makes four servings, meaning it’s great for feeding the whole family. However, it also makes for excellent meal prep! Simply follow the layering technique above, prepare as many jars as you’ll need for the week, and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. You’ll have tasty, nutritious meals you can grab and take on the go!
Salad Jar (Lemon Dijon Dressing)
Print RecipeIngredients
- 4 (32 oz.) – wide mouth mason jars
- ¾ cup – olive oil
- 1 tsp – pepper
- ½ tsp – salt
- 2 Tbsp – Dijon mustard
- 2 – small zucchinis cubed small
- 24 – cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 8 – mini sweet bell pepper diced
- feta crumbles
- 4 Tbsp – nuts or seed I used sliced almonds
- 4 cups – mixed greens
Instructions
- Start by adding your olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dijon to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk until well combined and divide evenly into 4 jars.
- Divide your zucchini up evenly between the four jars, followed by your tomatoes and diced peppers.
- Add feta crumbles to each jar, and 1 tablespoon of nuts or seeds to each jar.
- Fill the remainder of the way with mixed greens.
- Place the lids back on and tightly secure them.
- Shake, shake, shake, and enjoy!
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