Picnic jar salad with strawberry (Print version)

Vibrant layered salad with strawberries, creamy goat cheese, nuts, and crisp greens in jars.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
02 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon honey
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
02 - Layer the salads in four large quart-sized Mason jars, starting with the dressing at the bottom (approximately 1 tablespoon per jar).
03 - Add sliced red onion, cucumber, and strawberries as the next layers in each jar.
04 - Add the crumbled goat cheese and chopped nuts to each jar.
05 - Top each jar with mixed salad greens.
06 - Seal jars with lids and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to eat, shake the jar vigorously to distribute the dressing and consume straight from the jar or transfer to a bowl.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can make them hours ahead and they actually stay crisp because the dressing sits at the bottom like a protective barrier.
  • There's something undeniably satisfying about shaking a jar before eating, like you're creating something fresh right in your hands.
  • The combination of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tart feels fancy enough for guests but takes just 15 minutes to assemble.
02 -
  • The order of layering isn't just pretty—it's structural. Dressing first keeps greens crisp; greens on top keep everything from oxidizing and browning.
  • Shake the jar hard before eating, and don't be shy about it. That's when the magic happens and every bite gets dressed.
03 -
  • If you're taking these to a picnic or on a trip, assemble them in the morning and they'll stay cold longer than you'd expect—the jar is essentially a small cooler.
  • Slice your strawberries right before layering; they oxidize quickly and will turn brown if they sit around. The rest of the salad benefits from being prepped hours ahead, but the berries have a small window.
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