Workday lunches are supposed to be a little respite from your day - but too often, they feel like a burden. Coming up with a meal that will stand up all morning (or, if you like to batch cook, all week) without getting soggy, slimy, or dry, that will taste good and fill you up, and that you'll want to eat week after week is a tall order. But can we remind you about mason-jar salads? That's right - many people have forgotten about the prepandemic lunchtime trend, but salad mason-jar recipes aren't something to sleep on.
The idea behind salad jar recipes is simple: rather than stuffing your salad mix-ins into a plastic container, you layer them into a mason jar, with the dressing and heartiest, liquid-proof ingredients at the bottom (think: beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots) and the more sliminess-prone ingredients toward the top (your lettuces and croutons). Not only does layering your favorite mix-ins and dressings keep your meal from getting soggy and save you from having to clean several different containers after you eat, there are also dozens and dozens of variations you can make, keeping lunchtime exciting (and beautiful to boot).
You can make almost every salad you already love into a mason-jar salad recipe - but we've got some ideas to start you off. Whether you prefer a hearty and sweet salad with grains or a refreshing mix that features the flavors of zesty guacamole, these 16 mason-jar salad recipes will help you step up your lunches good.
- Additional reporting by Nicole Perry
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