Liven up that same old salad by layering those fresh ingredients into a mason jar! Perfect for your summer get-together or grab and go for lunch, these layered salad jars are jammed packed with flavor. Grab, go and enjoy!

Mason jars are useful for a lot more than just canning those summer vegetables. They are the perfect home for layered salads and help show off the beautiful colors of the salad ingredients. It’s like a beautiful summer garden in a glass!

All of the ingredients in the four Mason jar salads below are listed in layering order. Salad dressing suggestions are also given, but use any dressing you like! And the best part about creating Mason jar salads is that you can add any ingredients and create YOUR favorite salad!

Tips for layered salads:
Put the salad dressing on the bottom, separate from greens and lettuces, or just add the dressing right when you are going to eat it. Either way, shake that salad up and enjoy!
Put heavier items, such as tomatoes, on the bottom of the jars and end with the lightest item, such as lettuce or crumbled cheeses.

Caprese Mason Jar Salad
Serves 4

8 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette or pesto
10 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls
2 cups fresh baby spinach and fresh basil, leaves torn
2 cups assorted colored sugar plum tomatoes (red, yellow, orange)
2 cups cooked orzo pasta

{Rachel’s suggested wine pairing}
Try a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Both wines pair nicely with this well-balanced salad consisting of creamy mozzarella and the high acidity in the tomatoes.

Cobb Mason Jar Salad
Serves 4

8 tablespoons of red wine vinaigrette, Ranch or French dressing
4 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
2 cups chopped tomatoes
4 hard boiled eggs, sliced into circles
2 cups crumbled bacon
2 cups chopped avocado (tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning)
4 tablespoons green scallions, finely chopped
4 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

{Rachel’s suggested wine pairing}
Pick a fresh and fruity wine to pair with this salad. Try a Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley, France or New Zealand.

Chunky Mediterranean Mason Jar Salad
Serves 4

8 tablespoons of red wine vinaigrette or Greek inspired dressing
2 cups red sugar plum tomatoes
2 cups chopped English cucumber
2 cups pitted Kalamata olives
2 cups fired-roasted red and yellow peppers, thinly sliced
2 cups red onion, chopped
2 cups crumbled feta cheese

{Rachel’s suggested wine pairing}
What grows together goes together! Try an Assyrtiko wine from Greece for something different! A Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc wine will also pair nicely with this salad.

Taco Mason Jar Salad
Serves 4

4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
2 cups black beans
2 cups corn
2 cups ground turkey meat
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons green scallions, finely chopped
8 tablespoons of fresh salsa

For the taco Mason jar salad, add salsa on top and shake prior to eating instead of adding to the bottom of the jar.

{Rachel’s suggested wine pairing}
Since this salad has a spicy kick, try a Rose, such as a Bandol Rose, a Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley, France or California, an off-dry Riesling from Germany, or a Torrontes from Argentina.