7 Layer Salad in a Jar is a lightened up version of the classic dish for a delicious meal prep recipe! A creamy Greek yogurt lemon dressing is the perfect compliment to the traditional vegetables, bacon and cheddar.
Salad in a Jar
I really love meal prepping salads and this 7 Layer Salad in a Jar is the perfect meal to satisfy your craving for the traditional salad with a lightened up creamy lemon dressing.
Forget the heavy mayonnaise that dresses the classic dish, this Greek yogurt dressing is the perfect compliment to all the fresh crunchy vegetables for a light and healthy dinner salad you will love! Best of all, it is all prepped and ready for a quick and easy lunch!
Light Twist on 7 Layer Salad
Seven Layer Salad is beloved by so many people, but I honestly always found the mayo and sugar dressing off putting. I know this is going to be controversial, but I find it overpowering for all the fresh vegetables. There is already sharp cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon for a good fatty element, so a lighter dressing is really warranted in my opinion.
We still kept some mayo in the dressing for that tangy and reminiscent flavor, but it is lightened up with a good helping of plain Greek yogurt. Lemon juice brings a nice freshness and flavor to the salad dressing as well.
Salad in a Jar Meal Prep
I really love salad recipes, but sometimes they just aren’t practical for bringing to work or eating in a pinch. I don’t always have that extra 10 minutes to add everything to my salad to make it a nice full meal.
By meal prepping salads in a jar, you take all the prep work out of it ahead of time. Layer the salad dressing on the bottom and top with the heartiest vegetables and ingredients. Finish it off with the lettuce to keep it nice and fresh.
Seven Layer Salad Ingredient Prep
To make these 7 Layer Salads, just pop some eggs in the Instant Pot for easy Pressure Cooker Hard Boiled Eggs and microwave up some bacon. If you want to step it up to a whole new level, you could even make some smoked Traeger Bacon!
You can certainly use store bought shredded cheese, but I like to grab a block of extra sharp cheddar and grate my own for the best flavor. Some sliced cherry tomatoes and frozen peas popped in the microwave will complete everything you need to make these easy salads!
Make Ahead Salads
Much like this Creamy Greek Chicken Salad in a Jar recipe, it is a filling and delicious salad that you can grab from the refrigerator and enjoy in a time crunch. You can layer just about any salad in a jar, just keep in mind that the most delicate ingredients should be layered on the top to avoid spoiling them. This Southwest Cobb Salad is another favorite of mine to meal prep in a jar.
Depending on the freshness of your ingredients, you can often times keep these salads in a jar for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. It makes most sense for me to meal prep a few salads at a time because I already have all the ingredients out and prepped. I usually bring one by my Mom’s house as well, because she loves salads but is terrible about making them for herself.
More Great Dinner Salad Recipes!
7 Layer Salad in a Jar
Ingredients
- 9 oz. bag Romaine lettuce
- 1 c. cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 Tbsp. red onion finely diced
- 2/3 c. frozen peas
- 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 hard boiled eggs sliced
- 4 slices cooked bacon crumbled
Dressing
- 1/4 c. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- generous dash of salt and pepper
- 1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan
- 2 Tbsp. milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk all of the dressing ingredients together. Divide the dressing between two wide mouth 1 quart jars.
- Add the frozen peas to a small bowl with 2 Tbsp. water. Microwave for 2 minutes and drain off water.
- Layer the tomatoes, peas, red onion, cheddar, bacon, hard boiled eggs and lettuce in jars.
- Store covered refrigerated up to 4 days.
Cookin Deva says
I made the salad, the night before, for a picnic. When I told my husband what I was making he turned up his nose and told me he didn’t want soggy lettuce, or ruining (his home grown) lettuce. I assured him I would not be ruining his lettuce and the salad would not be soggy.
The salad was delicious, and the lettuce was not the least bit soggy. The best part my husband asked me if we could have them again, at our next picnic.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful/delicious recipe.
Danielle Green says
I’m glad it was a hit and you could prove your husband wrong!
Malinda Linnebur says
These were so fun and a huge hit!! I made them to take with us on our little family picnic!
Alison LaFortune says
Made meal prep SO EASY. And the dressing is delicious. Loved.
Julie says
What a perfect idea for a grab and go lunch! These were a life-saver this week for work. So simple and that dressing was the perfect added touch. Thanks!
Megan says
I’ve definitely never made salad in a jar but it worked so well! Just dump and go! Brilliant idea for easy lunches!