Picnic Jar Salad Strawberries Goat (View Print Version)

Layered salad with strawberries, goat cheese, nuts, and greens in jars, perfect for easy outdoor meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
02 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 0.5 cup goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 0.33 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 0.5 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

# Method:

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 on top of the dressing.
04 - Layer the crumbled goat cheese and chopped nuts evenly over the vegetables.
05 - Top each jar with mixed salad greens, filling to the rim.
06 - Seal jars and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to eat, shake the jar vigorously to distribute the dressing and enjoy straight from the jar or pour into a bowl.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dressing stays at the bottom where it belongs, keeping greens crisp until you're ready to eat.
  • No special equipment needed beyond jars you probably already own, making it foolproof even on chaotic mornings.
  • That sweet-salty-tangy combination from strawberries, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar hits every flavor note your taste buds crave.
02 -
  • The jar-layering order is everything—dressing on bottom, then sturdy vegetables, then delicate greens on top, or you'll end up with sad, soggy leaves.
  • Don't let the red onion touch the greens directly, because it will turn them an unappetizing pink if left overnight, even though the flavor would be fine.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts instead of buying pre-toasted—they're cheaper and taste infinitely fresher, and honestly, it takes less time than you think.
  • Make the dressing the night before and let it sit in the fridge; the flavors deepen and it's one less thing to think about in the morning.
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