This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.
With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.
Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.
The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
17 Mason Jar Salads and Meals that Are Sure to Satisfy
June 17, 2025
I can’t get enough of mason jar salads and meals. I love how portable and perfectly portioned these fun little jars make everything, not to mention how customizable you can make them. Whether you’re looking for vegan recipes in a jar or a collection of mason jar salads and other recipes, including some with meat, there is something for everyone here.
While each of the following recipes is good for you, this collection of mason jar salads and meals also spans a variety of ingredients, including animal products, that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Enjoy!
Mason jar salads
1. Apple, Cranberry, Almond Mason Jar Salads
This make-ahead salad is just what you need to cure those sad desk lunch blues. The crisp apple, almond and cranberry blend pairs perfectly with the homemade Greek yogurt poppy seed dressing. I love that you can add in leftover chicken or steak to beef up the protein, too.
Photo: Iowa Girl Eats
2. Cheeseburger Salad in a Jar
Who needs a bun when you have a burger in a jar? I love clever mason jar salads that are full of all the best parts of a burger.
To keep the ingredients from getting soggy or melting the cheese, be sure to let the ground beef cool before adding it to the jar.
3. Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Mason Jar Salad
This is like your favorite sandwich, without pesky bread getting in the way. With diced chicken, fresh avocado, crispy bacon (turkey or beef, of course!) and freshly grated cheddar cheese, this mason jar salad is sure to become a lunchtime staple.
This homemade, dairy-free ranch dressing goes nicely with this salad.
4. Deconstructed Sushi
All of sushi’s great taste without having to roll it all up? Sign me up!
This recipe makes a mean deconstructed avocado roll and even includes nori, the seaweed you usually find around your sushi rice. Try this next time you have a hankering for a roll.
Photo: Krista and Jess
5. Greek Mason Jar Salad
Enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean diet with this Greek-inspired mason jar salad. Packed with zucchini, olives, chickpeas, feta and a homemade lemon vinaigrette, this is a hearty meal that’s packed with flavor.
6. Healthy Homemade Instant Noodles (Sesame Ginger)
Skip those dreadful instant noodle packs, and make your own instead! I love that you can add frozen veggies to this jar and let them thaw throughout the day and use leftover chicken. Just add hot water, and you have homemade noodles at the ready.
7. Healthy Layered Tuna Salad Mason Jars
These mason jar salads are packed with tuna protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fats. I love that you’re given two delicious options, complete with homemade dressings, to turn canned tuna into a gourmet meal.
Photo: The View from Great Island
8. Kiddo’s Quinoa Salad
This kid-approved mason jar salad is full of flavor and a terrific option for meat-free Mondays. With protein-rich quinoa, bell peppers, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and more, this meal takes minutes to put together. Divvy it up among a few mason jars for the whole family to enjoy.
9. Mason Jar Turkey Zucchini Lasagna
Lasagna in a jar? Yes, you read that right.
This noodle-free zoodle recipe stacks all the best parts of lasagna (meaty, cheesy, tomato-y lasagna) over baked zucchini in a jar, allowing you to truly enjoy all those delightful layers without pesky pasta in the way. And really, isn’t it all about the meat and cheese anyway?
10. Balsamic Chicken Berry Salad in a Jar
The star of some mason jar salads is the dressing. Here it’s raspberry vinaigrette, which you can whip up in minutes.
Add cubed chicken, which will soak up some of that tasty berry flavor, crisp arugula, feta cheese or goat cheese, and more berries, for a flavor explosion.
11. Pesto Pasta Salad
This pesto pasta is gorgeous when served in these pretty mason jars. The recipe itself is simple: Pasta spirals are covered in a homemade pesto sauce.
Bulk this one up a bit with diced chicken and tomatoes, and then garnish with fresh basil, greens and mozzarella cheese for a meal that tastes as good as it looks.
12. Raw Pad Thai Mason Jar Salad with Kelp Noodles
This Thai-inspired raw recipe uses anti-inflammatory kelp noodles, made from seaweed, along with zucchini noodles, a heap of veggies and an almond butter-based dressing for a veggie-friendly dish that’s fun and nourishing.
13. Red, White and Blue Mason Jar Salad
Let your patriotic side shine through with this red, white and blue salad. With just a few ingredients, like fresh greens, sliced strawberries, juicy blueberries, feta and poppy seed dressing, you have a mason jar salad that’s delicious for a light lunch or even as a starter if you’re having company.
Photo: The Cookie Rookie
14. Roasted Tomato Caprese Mason Jar Salad
It’s amazing how such basic ingredients can be transformed with a sleight of hand. This caprese salad is one of those.
Roasting the cherry tomatoes adds a hint of sweetness while the fresh mozzarella is nice and creamy. I love the upgraded balsamic dressing, made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard and seasonings. This mason jar salad is perfect for warm summer evenings.
15. Sausage & Kale Omelets in a Jar
There’s no excuse for bland, boring breakfasts anymore, not when you can prepare these sausage and kale omelets! I’d opt for beef, chicken or turkey sausage, but otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing.
You’ll get an early dose of greens with vitamin-rich kale along with the healthy benefits of ghee, one of my favorite cooking fats.
16. Southwest Zucchini Noodle Mason Jar Salad with Avocado Dressing
It almost doesn’t matter what’s in this mason jar salad: The avocado dressing that accompanies all the good-for-you ingredients is that good. Made with Greek yogurt, fresh avocado, sour cream, garlic, jalapeño and fresh herbs, it goes deliciously well with everything.
Luckily, you’ll enjoy the rest of the salad just as much. It’s full of cauliflower, black beans, chicken and zucchini noodles for some serious Southwest flavor.
Photo: Yummy Healthy Easy
17. Harvest Mason Jar Salad
This mason jar salad is bursting with nutrition. It has an array of veggies (arugula, spinach, acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, roasted corn and beets), along with some sweetness from dried cranberries and added flavor with garlic-roasted pumpkin seeds and goat cheese.
It also includes a homemade dressing comprising maple syrup, balsamic vinaigrette and Dijon mustard for a salad that is sure to be a regular in your mason jar salads rotation.
