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Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

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Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea:

Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar

(Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

You know those plastic containers of soggy salad leaves, limp cucumber slices, watery tomatoes and floppy onions that are often unpacked on a picnic or for a much anticipated lunch at work? Well, worry no more (if you were worrying of course!) and look at these little individual salads in a jam jar, what a great idea eh? I have an addiction for things in jars, such as salads, cakes and what have-you, and I have already shared a Chicken Salad recipe in a jar on Lavender and Lovage a year or so ago……..Poulet Nomade ~ Nomad’s Chicken (Herb Poached Chicken in a Jar) and that recipe has been made many times since I posted it, as well as receiving lots of traffic, so there MUST be other people out there that love a meal in a jam jar!

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

I also remember baking some cakes in Kilner jars, and I must look for that recipe and share it with you all soon…..but back to my little layered salads, these are SO easy to make and also rather fun to assemble, the sort of activity that the children can get involved in too. Each jar makes a generous portion of Mexican inspired salad, enough for a meal in its own right, perfect for lunch boxes, as well as an accompaniment for picnic fare and barbecues. And, it was at a barbecue last night that I made these little jars of salad, to accompany some spicy chicken kebabs and sausages……just right for each of us and no more soggy dressed lettuce leaves in a large bowl.

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

This salad recipe is based on a large seven-layer Mexican salad recipe that a friend of mine posted on an American site called RecipeZaar; I made it as posted many years ago and since then I have adapted and tweaked it a bit to suit me. I have also made other salads such as this in a jar, and I will be sharing them over the summer months, all layered but with different International cuisine themes such as Italian, Spanish and French, as well as an English layered salad idea too. I can also see this recipe being suitable for large summer gatherings, where the salads can be made ahead of time and assembled in smaller jars, so everyone just picks up their own salad!

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Another serving idea I had for these jam jar salads, is for travel – they would be PERFECT for train, boat and car travel and you just need to take along a small bag of tortilla chips or crisps to “dunk” into the dip topping. The sun is still shining here, and I hope that it is wherever you are too – my daughter leaves today, so that will be a little sad but at least she has a new job to start on Monday! I have to dash off now to prepare an “al fresco! lunch, have a GREAT day and I will see you later with more recipes and a new giveaway, have fun! Karen 

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar

Print recipe
Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar
Serves 4
Prep time 20 minutes
Dietary Vegetarian
Meal type Appetizer, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish, Snack, Starter
Misc Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion Barbecue, Casual Party, Easter, Halloween
Region Mexican
By author Karen S Burns-Booth
Amazingly easy to make and such a fabulous idea for picnics, barbecues, travel snacks and lunch boxes. These layered salads keep fresh in the fridge overnight and there is no need for any extra salad dressing as they are "dressed" with spicy salsa and a sour cream topping. Serve with tortillla chips and for picnics and lunch box snacks, make sure there are lids that fit the jars. The original inspiration for these salads came from a a friend who posted a recipe called Mexican Seven Layered Salad on RecipeZaar.

Ingredients

  • 4 large jam jars (I used Parfait preserving jars with lids; you can also use small Kilner jars with attached lids)
  • chopped iceberg lettuce (or another crispy lettuce)
  • 2 large tomatoes (finely chopped)
  • 1 large red onion (peeled and finely chopped)
  • pimento stuffed green olives (cut into rings, about 6 olives per jar)
  • 400g tin of red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 315g jar Mexican salsa (hot, medium or mild)
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons sour cream (mixed with Cajun seasoning spices, amount of sour cream depends on size of jars)
  • 75g to 100g grated cheese (such as Cheddar or Emmental)
  • tortilla chips (to serve)

Note

Amazingly easy to make and such a fabulous idea for picnics, barbecues, travel snacks and lunch boxes. These layered salads keep fresh in the fridge overnight and there is no need for any extra salad dressing as they are "dressed" with spicy salsa and a sour cream topping. Serve with tortillla chips and for picnics and lunch box snacks, make sure there are lids that fit the jars. The original inspiration for these salads came from a a friend who posted a recipe called Mexican Seven Layered Salad on RecipeZaar. I have changed the recipe slightly and have served the salad in individual jars.

Directions

Step 1 Add the ingredients to the jars in the order they are listed, leaving the tortilla chips off until you are ready to serve the salads.
Step 2 Place a lid on the salads and store in fridge overnight if necessary.
Step 3 Serve with tortilla chips for dipping etc!

PICNIC GALLERY:

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

 

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

Picnics, Lunch Box and Barbecue Salad Idea: Layered Picnic Salads in a Jar (Recipe)

 

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Comments

  3. Kirsten Lauridsen says

    What a great idea Karen 🙂 Thank you for sharing it with us. Let me know, when you do this picnic and I will come along with bottle of wine with or without bobbles.

    Kirsten

    Reply

  4. Dominic says

    I have been staring at these pictures for a few days now, mezmerised by their beauty… such a genius idea yet so simple… now bring on the warm sunshine… you should set up a business selling these darling, they are so fab… x

    Reply

  6. Jaime says

    What a clever idea Karen and just in time too! The sun is finally shining on UK soil. I can’t wait for the days of picnics and sangria 🙂

    Reply

  8. Sarah says

    fantastic. and a marvellous way to serve fruit for picnics too.
    looking forward to experimenting this summer.

    Reply

  9. underthebluegumtree says

    That looks like my sort of salad. Lovely! I still have your poulet recipe bookmarked. I really must make it soon!

    Reply

  12. wendy says

    Hello
    Where did you get the wonderful jars you showed in the sald in a jar shots (with red lids)?

    Reply

    • Karen S says

      Thanks Wendy, I got the jars in France in a Brocante, but, you can buy these brand new and then purchase the plastic lids separately. Karen

      Reply

  16. Hazel Rea says

    What a great idea! So useful for lunches as well – and easy to adapt the ingredients to the individual preferences of family members.

    Reply

  17. Heidi Lee says

    This is such a fab idea. My kids would love it, we all love nachos and this seems to be a much healthier version and perfect for a picnic. Yummy

    Reply

    • Lisa Williams says

      I took this for my lunch the other day and there was a lot of jealousy from my co-workers 🙂

      Reply

  23. Nathan Webb says

    these look like a great unique idea, and I have never seen it before! May have to try this one!!.

    Reply

  25. lisa anderson says

    I have a picnic coming up next weekend (weather permitting) I’m definately going to have a go at making that!

    Reply

  27. Rey says

    Can’t believe I’ve never thought of this before. Such a great idea. Will definitely be doing salads like this for days out this summer.

    Reply

  32. Kelly says

    Indeed these were a brilliant idea! I made these two nights back to bring the next day to a dinner party we were going to but after I assembled them, about two hours later, I took a look and the lettuce was a soggy mess. I had to throw them all out and there were 15 of them. I cannot figure out what went wrong. The instructions said that they keep overnight. Should I have put the lettuce on top? I love the idea of anything in a mason jar. A few nights before this, I made strawberry cheesecake in 1/2 pint mason jars and it worked beautifully. Any ideas would really help.

    Reply

    • Karen says

      I am sorry your lettuce went soggy, I suspect that it was due to the type of lettuce you used – I always use a crisp lettuce and try to use the outer leaves and not the inner leaves that are often tender. I am VERY surprised that the lettuce was soggy after only 2 hours, as I often make this recipe in a large bowl for Mexican style dinners, and it lasts all night with the leftovers being quite perky the next day too! Try a VERY crisp lettuce, such as iceberg or Cos (or Romaine) and not a LEAF lettuce. The jars you see in the photos were made several hours before I served them and the lettuce I used was iceberg. I hope this helps, as I cannot think of anything else that it might be! Do let me know if this makes sense, and I will try to think of what else it may be, as the lettuce is not near the salsa, which would make them soggy – maybe the salsa was too runny and ran down? Just another random thought! Bye for now, Karen 🙂

      Reply

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