Rainbow Veggie Salad Jars
A colorful and nutritious mason jar salad filled with fresh, crisp vegetables, protein-rich quinoa, and your choice of zesty dressing. This Rainbow Veggie Salad Jar is the perfect make-ahead meal for busy days, packed with flavor and health benefits!
Equipment
- 4 Mason Jars (16 oz each) (for layering ingredients) Jars should have tight-fitting lids for freshness and easy transport.
- 1 Medium Pot For cooking quinoa Ensure the quinoa is fully cooked before layering in jars.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa (cooked) (Notes: Use red or white quinoa for added color and texture)
- 1 cup chickpeas (rinsed and drained) (Notes: You can substitute with black beans or tofu)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (Notes: Use heirloom tomatoes for a colorful variety)
- 1 cup shredded carrots (Notes: Pre-shredded for convenience, or freshly grated for more flavor)
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, julienned
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced (Notes: Remove seeds for a crisper texture)
- ½ cup purple cabbage, finely sliced
- 2 cups spinach or mixed greens (Notes: Can substitute with kale or arugula for a stronger flavor)
- 2 tbsp tahini for dressing (Notes: For a vegan-friendly dressing, replace with olive oil and lemon)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice for dressing (Notes: Freshly squeezed is best for flavor)
- 1 tbsp olive oil for dressing (Notes: Use extra virgin for best quality)
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- o Cook the quinoa according to package instructions. Let it cool completely.
- o Rinse and drain chickpeas (or your chosen protein).
- o Wash and prepare vegetables: slice the tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, and cabbage.
Layer the Mason Jars
- o Start with 2 tablespoons of dressing at the bottom of each mason jar. This prevents the greens from getting soggy.
- o Add quinoa to the jars, followed by chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, and cabbage.
- o Top with a handful of greens (spinach or mixed greens).
Seal and Store
- o Tighten the lids and refrigerate for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, shake the jar to mix the ingredients, or pour everything into a bowl and enjoy!
Serve and Enjoy
- o You can enjoy the salad straight from the jar for a portable lunch or serve it in a bowl for a more elegant presentation.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Rainbow Veggie Salad Jars are perfect for meal prep! Prepare them on Sunday night and enjoy fresh, healthy lunches throughout the week.
- Customizing the Recipe: Feel free to swap out the veggies based on what’s in season or what you have in your fridge. Roasted sweet potatoes or grilled chicken also work great in this salad.
- Vegan Variation: For a fully vegan version, skip the chickpeas and add roasted tofu or lentils instead.