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Mason Jar Salad Recipe – Easy and Delicious Caprese Salad in a Jar

This delicious and easy Mason Jar Salad Recipe is meant to be eaten on the go.  When you have a hankering for a light Italian lunch, try this Caprese salad in a Jar.

Caprese salads in Mason jars

I really love Caprese salads.  Tomatoes + cheese + basil =  so delicious!  If you’ve ready any of my previous food posts, I’m sure you see that I try to incorporate tomatoes whenever possible.

Caprese salads are so perfect because they basically 1/3 tomato.  YAS!  PERFECTION!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about prepping my meals ahead of time, because I want to be able to have healthy meals at the ready and I also want to save some money by not eating out as much.  

Mason jar meals are all the rage lately, and I thought it would be a good idea to help prep some meals ahead of time!

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Mason Jar Caprese salad ingredients

What is a Mason Jar Salad Recipe?

As the name suggests, this idea is a complete salad that is made and served in a Mason Jar.  All of the ingredients are placed in the Jar and when it’s time to eat, you either shake, or combine the ingredients with a fork to mix them together.

This idea is perfect for salads or zucchini noodle dishes. They are great to take to work, for a meal after your workout or for anytime you are in the hurry and don’t want to spend money on eating out.

When making a Mason Jar Salad, one of the keys is to make sure the dressing goes in first. This will ensure that the greens and other ingredients don’t get soggy before it’s time to eat them.

This recipe is so easy, and has very few ingredients.

Caprese meal prep ingredients

Making this Caprese Salad in a Jar

You’ll need two Mason jars, 4 oz of mozzarella cheese (I like the little balls), 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp, extra virgin olive oil, 1 cup basil, 22 cherry tomatoes (I think that’s like 2 ish cups).Balsamic glaze for Caprese salad

First you take your olive oil and balsamic vinegar and mix it up.  This dressing goes into the two jars first.

Dressing for Caprese salad plus ingredients

Then divide the rest of the ingredients between the two jars.Basil and cheese in bowls with tomatoes in Mason Jars

Fill up each jar about half way with the cherry tomatoes (it’s best to put this on top of the liquid, because they won’t soak it up).Cherry tomatoes in two Mason jars

Also, this is the point where I tell you just how difficult it was to not eat all the tomatoes…Guys, this recipe almost didn’t happen.  Those little cherry tomatoes are SO YUMMY.Mason jar meals cleaning eating at its best!

Then you put two ounces of mozzarella cheese balls in each jar.Caprese salad meal prep

Remember how I mentioned how it was so hard not to eat all the tomatoes?  Well the same goes for this mozzarella cheese…Cherry tomato Caprese salad jars

Then top each jar with the basil.  I like to tear it slightly so the leaves aren’t huge.  It’s best to keep the basil on the top of the jar so it won’t wilt from the liquid or get smushed by the other ingredients.Weight watcher salad in a jar recipe

Just put on the lid the salad in a jar and you’re done – that’s it.  It’s that easy!!Lunch on the go - Easy Caprese salad in a jar

The recipe makes two Mason jar meals of deliciousness, and for those of you doing Weight Watchers Freestyle, each jar is only 7 Freestyle points.

I love caprese salads. Tomatoes + cheese + basil = so delicious! I wanted to make this meal portable so I created a recipe for a caprese salad in a jar!

Pop the meals in a jar into the fridge and they’re ready for whenever you are.  Since they’re in a jar they would be perfect to bring to work for a quick lunch, or to grab for a snack if you get hungry.  

When you’re ready to eat the Mason Jar lunches, just gently shake to coat the ingredients with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil and enjoy! If you bring these jars to the office for lunch I just know you’ll be the envy of everyone in the room. 

I mean just loooooooooooook at how pretty they are!  ♥

Pin this Mason Jar salad recipe for later.

Would you like a reminder of this easy and tasty Mason jar lunch recipe? Just pin this image to one of your cooking boards on Pinterest.

Mason Jar Lunch - Caprese Salad in a Jar

Admin Note: This post first appeared on the blog in August of 2015. I have updated the post to include a printable recipe card and more tips for making this easy lunch idea.

Yield: 2

Caprese Salad in a Jar

Caprese Salad in a Jar

Mason Jar Salad recipe for a lunch on the go. This Caprese salad in a jar is light, authentically Italian and super easy to make.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 4 oz mozzarella cheese balls
  • 1 cups basil

Instructions

  1. Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and divide between two mason jars.
  2. Divide the cherry tomatoes in two and place in the two jars.
  3. Divide the mozzarella cheese balls in two and place in the two jars on top of the tomatoes.
  4. Divide the basil in two and place in the two jars on top of the mozzarella cheese.
  5. Put on the lids and store in the fridge until you're ready to eat them!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1 jar

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 266Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 365mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 14g

If you make this recipe let me know what you think!  I’m loving it as quick snack or a light meal!

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4 Comments

    • Jess

      Great! Let me know what you think if you try it! 🙂 I like it having it in a jar because it makes the dish so much more portable! I’ve got a whole series of posts in the works that are in mason jars! Stay tuned for more to come!

      • len ethier

        tried your idea but I’m a garlic freak so salad is never complete without it…added a couple of cloves smashed into the oil and vinegar mix..turned out terrific…garlic I used came from my own garden!

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