The Best Detox Salad In A Jar

This colorful salad offers a diverse array of nutrients.

If you’re a fan of mason jar salads, this detoxifying salad recipe is a must-try. Packed with veggies and healthy fats, and drizzled with a simple and delicious dressing, this salad in a jar makes the perfect quick and customizable lunch. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the work week or just looking for an easy way to enjoy your salad at home, this salad has you covered. Not to mention, you’ll truly be eating the rainbow! This colorful salad offers a diverse array of nutrients to keep you satisfied all afternoon. Once you try it, you’ll understand why we call it the best detox salad in a jar!

Reasons to Love the Best Detox Salad

This super healthy salad is like fireworks on your tongue. It’s light and crunchy with creamy avocado and flavorful feta, plus a hint of tangy sweetness from the pomegranate seeds. A perfectly balanced meal, this jarred salad is loaded with health benefits and designed to detox. Plus, you can easily make swaps, omissions, or additions to fit your preferences.

Try adding chickpeas, red cabbage, almonds, radishes, tomatoes, red onions, walnuts, fresh parsley, mint…anything your heart desires. And there’s nothing like a homemade salad dressing! This one is so light and simple but brings out the salad’s flavors so nicely.

Ready in ten minutes or less (and so easy to meal prep in batches), this salad will not only save you time but also provide you with the energy boost you need to power through that post-lunch time slump. Plus, it’s super portable and leaves you with minimal dishes–just prep the ingredients, do a little layering, add the dressing, and eat your masterpiece straight out of the jar whenever you’re ready to enjoy it.

How to Make This Detoxifying Salad in a Jar

This detox salad in a jar couldn’t be easier to make. Below are the details on how to whip it together in three easy steps. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes, so you can make this detox salad in the morning before work. But they’ll be good if made a day or two ahead of time, as well!

Make the Dressing

Add one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, the juice of one lemon, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Voilà! You’ve got your dressing.

Build Your Salad in a Jar

Between two mason jars, evenly divide your prepped ingredients–a cup of cooked quinoa, a diced cucumber, a diced bell pepper, half of a diced avocado, half a cup of pomegranate seeds, a fourth cup of shelled pumpkin seeds, and half a cup of feta cheese. Feel free to add or swap ingredients to fit your preferences, too!

Add the Dressing

You can pour the dressing evenly over each salad, seal each jar, and store them in the fridge until they’re ready to serve. Or, store the dressing in separate, single-serving containers and pour it on once you’re ready to eat it! Either method will result in a super tasty lunch!

Serving Suggestions

This mason jar salad makes a delicious lunch all on its own. But you can also use it as an accompaniment with a protein like salmon, tofu, or chicken. It works as a pairing with a sandwich or soup or even as a first course at a dinner party. With Mediterranean-inspired flavors from the pomegranate, feta, and olive oil, this salad is a lovely match for some falafel, hummus, or pita bread. Serve it alongside a mezze platter or pita sandwich, or spice it up with some harissa.

Bring your salad jars to work, a picnic, or a barbecue. You can even send them to work or school with your partner or kids! The possibilities are endless with this mess-free and versatile recipe. And don’t be afraid to experiment. Meal-prepping these salads for the whole week? Switch up the ingredients to include different fruits and vegetables, or even try a different dressing. Vegans can enjoy this salad by simply omitting the feta or substituting with a dairy-free alternative.

Storage and Leftovers

When sealed in airtight jars, these salads should last in your fridge for four to five days. To keep them extra fresh, store the dressing separately so the veggies and quinoa won’t get soggy. We don’t recommend freezing this salad. But enjoying leftovers from this recipe couldn’t be easier–there’s nothing to prep or reheat! Just add dressing as desired and eat it straight out of the jar. Jar salads are the ideal meal prep meal to make in batches–just divide the ingredients evenly and grab a jar on the go throughout the coming week.

Ingredients Used

Designed to energize and detox your body, this salad incorporates a rainbow of fresh, mostly whole-food ingredients. Each ingredient is not only bursting with flavor but also packed with its own unique set of health benefits. Below is a breakdown of each ingredient and why it makes this salad great.

EVOO

Extra-virgin olive oil is a staple in this salad’s homemade dressing, but it adds so much more than just moisture and mild flavor. Olive oil is an excellent source of healthy, monounsaturated fats that decrease inflammation and prevent cancer while keeping your body satiated. It also contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, and vitamin K, which supports blood and bone health. Olive oil is linked to preventing strokes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s and may even reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It protects the body from “bad” bacteria and can even prevent rheumatoid arthritis. Something of a superfood, EVOO has much more to offer than just a simple base for your dressing!

Lemon

An excellent source of vitamin C, lemons reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, anemia, kidney stones, and more. These citrus fruits help regulate your digestion, promote weight loss, and keep bad cholesterol in check. They promote hair growth, freshen your breath, and even make your skin glow! Lemons are so much more than just a garnish.

Quinoa

Packed with protein and carbs, quinoa is also rich in a number of nutrients, including:

• Manganese: improves metabolism and brain and nerve function
• Magnesium: boosts energy and supports muscle and nerve function
• Phosphorus: helps repair cells and tissues
• Folate: essential for a healthy pregnancy
• Zinc: helps muscles and bones grow, improves senses of smell and taste
• Iron: supports healthy blood and brain function
• Copper: helps the body make red blood cells, and keeps nerve cells and the immune system healthy

A good source of fiber, quinoa regulates your digestion and helps keep you feeling full. Quinoa also protects your body’s cells from damage and is full of antioxidants. This ingredient is gluten-free, as well– a great option for people who can’t eat carbs and grains containing gluten. Quinoa improves your metabolism and regulates blood sugar levels, which may be helpful along your weight loss journey. Plus, it’s so easy to incorporate into your daily rotation!

Cucumber

Did you know that cucumbers are about 96% water and are packed with electrolytes? Cucumber is not only incredibly hydrating but also rich in vitamin K which supports healthy blood and bones. This veggie is known to promote weight loss because you can eat them at a high volume while keeping the calorie count low. Cucumber even reduces “bad” cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and helps fend off some of the complications of diabetes. Rich in fiber, they promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation. Cucumbers’ mild, versatile flavor and distinctive crunchy texture mean they work well in just about any salad. And with the array of benefits they provide, tossing them in is a no-brainer!

Bell Pepper

Also very hydrating (at 92% water) and packed with antioxidants, bell peppers are a deliciously colorful addition to this salad. They’re loaded with vitamin C– 169% of your daily value, to be exact! Bell peppers also contain important plant compounds like lutein (for eye health), violaxanthin (antioxidant), and quercetin (which prevents heart disease and cancer). These peppers provide a significant boost for your eyes–they protect your retinas from damage and prevent visual impairments like cataracts and macular degeneration. They also prevent anemia, since they’re a good source of iron (and vitamin C, which helps your gut absorb iron).

Avocado

A delicious healthy fat, avocados are packed with nutrients like copper, folate, and vitamin B5 (which helps with red blood cell production and regulating sex and stress-related hormones). They’re incredibly high in fiber, which means they promote gut health. Anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants, they reduce the risk of heart disease. Avocados support weight loss, provide nutrients needed for healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding, and are so easy to add to your diet. Dice them for salads like this one, make guacamole, or even throw them in smoothies for added creaminess!

Pomegranate Seeds

A natural aphrodisiac, pomegranate seeds are famously packed with antioxidants, which means they protect your cells from damage, ward off aging, and prevent diseases like cancer. They’re also heart-healthy, provide a boost in memory, and are packed with nutrients like vitamin C and folate. Pomegranate seeds prevent inflammation and support urinary health by preventing kidney stones. Low in calories but bursting with a unique sweet, tart flavor, they’re the perfect fruit to snack on or toss in a salad like this one. They’re rich in fiber, lower your blood pressure, and are even used in alternative medicine to detox and restore energy.

Pumpkin Seeds

Also rich in antioxidants, pumpkin seeds or pepitas offer a variety of nutrients like zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, and iron. They’re one of the best-known sources of magnesium in particular, a nutrient in which many people are deficient (around 48% of American adults). Magnesium helps control your blood pressure, reduces your risk of heart disease, promotes healthy bones, and regulates your blood sugar levels. Moreover, not only do pumpkin seeds fight cancer, but very specific types of cancer–like breast cancer in postmenopausal women and prostate cancer. They also generally improve prostate and bladder health and can help curb an overactive bladder. Pepitas are heart-healthy, high in fiber, improve your sleep, and even improve sperm quality (as they’re a natural source of zinc).

Feta Cheese

Made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, feta cheese is an excellent source of calcium. This mineral promotes strong bones, as well as a healthy heart, muscles, and nerves. It also provides gut-healthy “good” bacteria as well as anti-cancer fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Considered one of the healthiest cheeses, feta is packed with protein and loaded with vitamin B12, which means it provides a healthy boost of long-lasting energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of our most commonly asked questions about this recipe (and other salad-in-a-jar recipes!) If you have additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section and we’ll get you an answer as soon as possible!

Why is this considered a detox salad?

This mason jar salad provides a variety of ingredients that are all packed with essential nutrients, particularly cancer-fighting and anti-aging antioxidants. It’s also loaded with protein and fiber, which means it will keep you fuller longer and help regulate your digestive system.

Are you supposed to eat mason jar salad in the jar?

You absolutely can! This is the beauty of the jar salad–it’s easy to prepare, portable, and mess-free! Of course, if you prefer, you can also opt to re-toss your jar salad in a separate bowl when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Do salads naturally detox your body?

Many salads do (this one included). They are generally packed with energizing, fiber-loaded cruciferous veggies that will help flush your system and put a pep in your step.

How do you keep salad fresh in a mason jar?

Your salad will naturally stay fresh in its jar for up to five days. For optimal freshness, pack ingredients all the way to the top of the jar to prevent air from leaking in, and store the dressing separately to prevent sogginess.

Watch How It’s Made

More Healthy Salad Recipes

Can’t get enough salad? We can’t either! After you try the best detox salad in a jar, be sure to come back and try these popular recipes:

• Skinny Taco Salad in a Jar
• Summer Fruit Quinoa Salad
• Caprese Salad in a Jar
• Barley Salad with Asparagus and Roasted Tomatoes
• Skinny Burrito in a Jar

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