Strawberry Spinach Mason Salads

Some salads are born for the table, and some are born for the road. This Strawberry and Spinach Mason Jar Salad with Balsamic belongs firmly in the second camp — a vibrant, layered beauty that travels as gracefully as it tastes. Sweet, juicy strawberries nestle against tender baby spinach, creamy crumbled feta, and golden toasted almonds, all tied together with a tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Whether you're packing lunch for a busy workweek or bringing something fresh and impressive to a picnic, these jars deliver color, crunch, and flavor in every single shake.

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The secret to a great mason jar salad is all in the order of the layers. Dressing at the bottom, hearty vegetables and grains in the middle, and delicate greens on top — this simple architecture means your spinach stays perky and your almonds stay crunchy, whether you're eating right away or pulling the jar from the fridge three days later. It's the kind of meal that makes you feel organized and a little bit proud of yourself, all before noon.

Ingredients

• For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• For the Salads:
• 4 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or cooked farro (optional, for added protein)
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (or goat cheese)
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/3 cup cucumber, diced (optional)

Blend smoothies, sauces, and shakes quickly for easy breakfasts, snacks, and meal prep.

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Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare the vinaigrette

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Set aside.

Step 2 — Start layering

Layer the salads in four wide-mouth mason jars (quart or pint size, as preferred). Start with 2–3 tablespoons of vinaigrette at the bottom of each jar.

Step 3 — Add hearty vegetables and grains

Add the red onion slices next, followed by cucumbers and cooked quinoa or farro (if using). This prevents the greens from getting soggy.

Step 4 — Layer strawberries, feta, and almonds

Layer the sliced strawberries over the grains, then add the feta cheese and toasted almonds.

Step 5 — Top with spinach

Top each jar with a generous handful of baby spinach.

Step 6 — Seal and refrigerate

Seal the jars tightly and refrigerate until ready to eat. To serve, shake the jar or pour into a bowl and toss to combine.

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Für das beste Ergebnis sollte der Spinat vollständig trocken sein, bevor er in die Gläser geschichtet wird — überschüssige Feuchtigkeit kann die oberen Schichten schneller welken lassen. Wenn du das Dressing im Voraus zubereiten möchtest, lässt es sich in einem verschlossenen Behälter bis zu einer Woche im Kühlschrank aufbewahren. Schüttle oder rühre es gut um, bevor du es verwendest, da sich Öl und Essig von Natur aus trennen. Für knusprigste Mandeln empfiehlt es sich, diese kurz in einer trockenen Pfanne bei mittlerer Hitze zu rösten und vollständig abkühlen zu lassen, bevor sie in die Gläser kommen.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Dieses Rezept lässt sich wunderbar anpassen. Für eine vegane Version ersetze den Honig durch Ahornsirup und lasse den Käse weg oder verwende eine pflanzliche Alternative. Wer mehr Protein möchte, kann gegrilltes Hühnchen oder Kichererbsen hinzufügen. Anstelle von Mandeln oder Pecannüssen eignen sich auch Walnüsse oder Sonnenblumenkerne hervorragend — ideal für alle, die eine nussfreie Variante bevorzugen. Geröstete Kürbiskerne sind ebenfalls eine knackige und leckere Option. Das optionale Quinoa oder Farro macht aus dem leichten Salat eine vollwertige Mahlzeit.

Serviervorschläge

Diese Mason-Jar-Salate sind für sich allein bereits ein vollständiges, leichtes Mittagessen. Zum Servieren einfach das Glas kräftig schütteln oder den Inhalt in eine Schüssel geben und alles gut vermengen, damit sich das Dressing gleichmäßig verteilt. Als Getränk passt ein knackiger Sauvignon Blanc oder ein trockener Rosé hervorragend dazu und unterstreicht die fruchtig-tangy Aromen des Salats. Für ein größeres Buffet oder Sommeressen lassen sich die Gläser dekorativ aufstellen und machen auch optisch eine tolle Figur.

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With just 15 minutes of prep and zero cooking required, these Strawberry and Spinach Mason Jar Salads prove that eating well on a busy schedule is entirely possible. Each jar is a little celebration of fresh, seasonal flavors — the sweetness of ripe strawberries, the earthiness of spinach, the tang of balsamic, and the satisfying crunch of toasted almonds. Make a batch on Sunday, and you'll have four gorgeous, ready-to-go lunches waiting for you all week long. Simple, beautiful, and genuinely delicious — this is meal prep you'll actually look forward to.

Make fresh ice for iced coffee, cocktails, chilling ingredients, and keeping drinks cold while cooking.

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Recipe Questions & Answers

→ How do I keep the greens fresh in mason jar salads?

Layer vinaigrette at the bottom, then add heartier ingredients like onions and cucumbers before the greens. This prevents the spinach from wilting and keeps it fresh until serving.

→ Can I use other nuts besides almonds in this salad?

Yes, toasted pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds work well for added crunch and flavor, depending on your preference or allergies.

→ Is it possible to make this salad vegan?

Absolutely. Substitute honey with maple syrup in the dressing and replace feta cheese with a plant-based alternative or omit it entirely.

→ How long can mason jar salads be stored in the refrigerator?

When properly sealed, they typically stay fresh for up to 3 days, making them ideal for meal prepping ahead of time.

→ What proteins can I add to make this salad more filling?

Add cooked quinoa, farro, grilled chicken, or chickpeas to enhance protein content while maintaining a balanced flavor.