Mason Jar Salad Recipes Collection: Greek, Taco, Chef, Caprese Chicken, Strawberry Spinach Salmon, and Chicken Caesar Recipe

Introduction

Mason jar salads are a convenient and delicious way to enjoy a fresh, layered salad on the go. These salads combine vibrant vegetables, proteins, and dressings all neatly packed to keep ingredients crisp until you’re ready to eat. Whether you prefer Greek, taco, or chicken Caesar flavors, there’s a mason jar salad for you.

Ingredients

• Greek Chicken Salad:
• 3 tbsp Greek salad dressing
• 1/2 cup cucumbers, chopped into half moons
• 1/4 cup red onions, sliced into quarter moons
• 3 oz cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (~1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed
• Taco Salad:
• 1 1/2 tbsp salsa
• 1 1/2 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, cut into short strips
• 1/4 cup red onions, sliced into quarter moons
• 1/2 cup taco meat
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed
• Chef Salad:
• 3 tbsp Thousand Island dressing
• 2/3 cup cucumbers, cut into half moons
• 3 oz deli ham, diced (~1/2 cup)
• 2/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 oz cheddar cheese, cubed (~2 tbsp)
• 1/2 oz Swiss cheese, cubed (~2 tbsp)
• 1 large hard boiled egg, sliced
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed
• Caprese Chicken Salad:
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 3 oz cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (~1/2 cup)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella balls
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, cut into ribbons
• Strawberry Spinach Salmon Salad:
• 3 tbsp poppy seed dressing
• 1/2 cup cooked salmon, flaked (~3-4 ounces)
• 2/3 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 tbsp sliced almonds (optional)
• 1 3/4 cups fresh spinach, packed
• Chicken Caesar Salad:
• 3 tbsp Caesar salad dressing
• 3 oz cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (~1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup croutons (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped and packed

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour the dressing into the bottom of a large Mason jar. For all salads except the Caprese version, use the dressing as is. For the Caprese salad, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper at the bottom of the jar before proceeding.
2. Step 2: Layer your salad ingredients in the order listed for your chosen recipe. Generally, start with hearty vegetables that won’t get soggy, then add proteins, watery vegetables, eggs and cheese, followed by nuts or seeds, and finish with the greens on top.
3. Step 3: Seal the Mason jar with its lid and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
4. Step 4: When ready to enjoy, shake the jar vigorously to coat all ingredients with the dressing. Then, pour the salad into a bowl and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Pack heavier and less absorbent ingredients at the bottom to prevent sogginess—this keeps the greens fresh.
• Use cooked proteins like chicken, ham, or salmon to add flavor and sustenance.
• Customize dressings to suit your taste or dietary needs; homemade dressings work particularly well.
• Add nuts or seeds last for a delightful crunch and texture contrast.
• For vegetarian versions, swap meat with beans, tofu, or extra cheese.

Storage

Store Mason jar salads sealed in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keeping the dressing at the bottom and greens on top preserves freshness and texture. When you’re ready to eat, shake the jar well before serving. Leftovers can also be eaten cold or allowed to sit for a few minutes to take the chill off.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a regular bowl instead of a Mason jar?

Yes, but Mason jars help keep ingredients layered and fresh longer. Bowls work well for immediate serving but don’t preserve textures as efficiently for meal prep.

How do I prevent my salad from getting soggy?

Layering ingredients cleverly is key—put dressings and juicy vegetables at the bottom, with greens on top to avoid contact with moisture until serving.

Mason Jar Salad Recipes Collection: Greek, Taco, Chef, Caprese Chicken, Strawberry Spinach Salmon, and Chicken Caesar Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 140 reviews

Mason Jar Salads offer a convenient and fresh way to enjoy a variety of flavorful salads packed in portable jars. Featuring options like Greek Chicken, Taco, Chef, Caprese Chicken, Strawberry Spinach Salmon, and Chicken Caesar, these salads layer fresh vegetables, proteins, cheeses, and dressings to keep ingredients crisp and delicious for grab-and-go meals.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming proteins are pre-cooked)
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 Mason jar salad (serving size varies by jar size, approximately 1 serving) 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Greek Chicken Salad

• 3 tbsp Greek salad dressing (homemade preferred)
• 1/2 cup cucumbers, chopped into half moons
• 1/4 cup red onions, sliced into quarter moons
• 3 oz cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (~1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed

Taco Salad

• 1 1/2 tbsp salsa
• 1 1/2 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, cut into short strips
• 1/4 cup red onions, sliced into quarter moons
• 1/2 cup taco meat
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed

Chef Salad

• 3 tbsp Thousand Island dressing (sugar-free recommended)
• 2/3 cup cucumbers, cut into half moons
• 3 oz deli ham, diced (~1/2 cup)
• 2/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 oz cheddar cheese, cubed (~2 tbsp)
• 1/2 oz Swiss cheese, cubed (~2 tbsp)
• 1 large hard boiled egg, sliced
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and packed

Caprese Chicken Salad

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 3 oz cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (~1/2 cup)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella balls
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped and almost filling jar
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, cut into ribbons

Strawberry Spinach Salmon Salad

• 3 tbsp poppy seed dressing
• 1/2 cup cooked salmon, flaked (~3–4 oz)
• 2/3 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 tbsp sliced almonds (optional)
• 1 3/4 cups fresh spinach, packed

Chicken Caesar Salad

• 3 tbsp Caesar salad dressing
• 3 oz cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (~1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup croutons (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped and packed

Instructions

1. Add Dressing: Pour the respective dressing into the bottom of a large Mason jar. For all salads except the Caprese Chicken Salad, use pre-mixed dressings. For the Caprese Chicken Salad, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper at the bottom of the jar first.
2. Layer Ingredients: Add salad ingredients on top of the dressing in the order listed, generally starting with hearty vegetables that resist sogginess, followed by proteins, watery vegetables, eggs and cheeses, nuts or seeds, and finishing with greens to keep them fresh and crisp.
3. Seal and Store: Cover the Mason jar with its lid securely and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat. This preparation keeps ingredients fresh and dressing separate to prevent sogginess.
4. Shake and Serve: When ready to enjoy, shake the jar vigorously to coat all ingredients evenly with dressing. Pour the contents into a bowl and serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful salad experience.

Notes

• Layering ingredients thoughtfully helps prevent the salad from becoming soggy during storage.
• Use airtight Mason jars or similar containers to maintain freshness and prevent leaks.
• Pre-cook and cube proteins like chicken and salmon ahead of time to streamline meal prep.
• For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute cheeses and dressings accordingly.
• Optional ingredients like nuts or croutons can be omitted or added just before eating to maintain crunch.

Keywords: Mason jar salad, portable salad, Greek salad, taco salad, caprese salad, chicken salad, healthy lunch, meal prep