BREAKING: We’ve finally caught up with the “salad in a jar” food trend! Over the past couple years, bloggers and moms alike have been cramming veggies into Mason jars and creating every salad combination imaginable. These on-the-go meals are so popular because they are not only delicious and nutritious, they’re also super easy to prepare and transport. Not to mention, the age-old struggle of how to effectively travel with dressing is taken care of!

So, how does the magic work, you ask? We’ll break it down layer by layer.

1. Bottom layer- Dressing or wet ingredient
2. Second layer- Hearty veggie that will marinate and create a barrier between the dressing and greens (think cucumbers, tomatoes, etc)
3. Third layer- Proteins and/or grains (quinoa, beans, eggs, etc)
4. Fourth layer- Lettuce or greens
5. Top layer- Seeds or nuts, if desired

Pro Tip: If your Mason jar has a smaller mouth, you may need to dump your salad onto a plate or into a bowl to eat. Consider using Glad LockWare Containers, which have a wider opening– allowing you to shake & eat your creation right out of the jar!

We know you’re dying to try out the trend, and we wouldn’t dream of leaving you without some recipe ideas! Check out our favorites:

Beef & Cheddar Mason Jar Salad: Organize Yourself Skinny

Coconut-Lime-Avocado Zucchini Noodle Salad with Quinoa, Peas, Asparagus & Feta: Inspiralized

Easy Mason Jar Southwest Salad: My Frugal Adventures

Layered Quinoa Salad with Beet Vinaigrette: Marla Meridith (pictured)

Greek Zucchini Salad in a Mason Jar: The Beachbody Blog

Mason Jar Pineapple Chicken Potato Salad: She Knows

Quinoa, Pear & Spinach Salad in a Jar: Hummusapien

Strawberry Spinach Mason Jar Salad with Citrus Poppyseed Dressing: Eating Bird Food

Spinach & Bacon Mason Jar Salads: The Seasoned Mom

Sprouted Spring Salad in a Jar: Inspired Edibles

Triple Berry & Nut Salad in a Jar: Recipe Corner

Tuna & Arugula Jar Salad: Homemaker’s Habitat

Don’t forget to double check all your ingredients before whipping up your creation!