Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Better Health, Better Food, Better You

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Props
  • Wellness
  • Services
  • Contact

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad {Quick and Easy, Make Ahead}

June 1, 2015 by lauren.kelly 41 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share

This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. All opinions are my own.

Jump to Recipe

Make life easier and prepare this easy, healthy Mixed Berry Mason Jar Salad ahead of time!

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen

Ok, I will admit I was hesitant about this whole mason jar salad trend.  I just didn’t get it.  

What’s the point in putting a whole salad in a mason jar?  And wouldn’t it be hard to eat out of a narrow mason jar?

That’s when I learned that you don’t actually eat it out of the jar, you just store it there.

AHA!  

Now THAT makes sense!

Well, when I visited the ALDI Test Kitchen in Chicago last month, I was part of the “Build A Better Salad Challenge” using mason jars and lots of healthy ingredients.  

I was like a deer in head lights.  I had no clue where to begin.

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen

That’s when I learned that there is a method to this mason jar craze.  You start at the bottom and put the dressing there.  

Next, you add some hard vegetables that won’t get soggy laying in the dressing.  You know, this is where my red bell peppers were.

 Next, you add soft fruits and vegetables (avocados and berries). Then we layer protein, like hard boiled eggs, chicken and beans.

 Last, you add your greens and of course I couldn’t resist adding chia seeds on top!

I decided to just make a salad that I would want to eat.  A nice big, healthy salad that’s packed with flavor.  

We all created our favorite salads and Tara Gidus, R.D. and Chef Brigitte Nguyen were the judges.  I never thought I had a chance.  

But will get back to the competition in a bit.

Before we created these salads, we tried lots of healthy snacks from ALDI exclusive brands.  Check this out…

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen

We didn’t try them all, but we tried a bunch of them!  We started with a taste test of ALDI Premium Orange Juice and the major competitor.  

I chose the ALDI brand!  We did many other taste tests and they we were lucky enough to enjoy some delicious food.

Look at these!

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen

Chef Brigitte made us these delicious Sweet Potato Patties (upper right hand corner on the board).  They were packed with flavor and protein!  

Then on the bottom left, Chef Brigitte made us Tuna Hummus Stuffed Peppers (in the most adorable little tiny peppers!) And last, we had a yummy Shrimp Quinoa dish.  

Full disclosure I did not eat the shrimp but the quinoa was phenomenal!

Then above it to the left was this delicious and super easy Ranch Dip and then my favorite, a Tropical Chai Pudding!

In between trying all of these delicious foods, Tara Gidus, R.D., who co-hosts national television shows and is the Registered Dietician for Orlando Magic basketball team as well as Run Disney, shared an informative presentation on how to make healthy snack choices, eating fiber rich carbs at each meal and how to properly stay hydrated.  These were so up my alley!

I love that Tara called snacks “the bridge to the next meal”, meaning that they aren’t supposed to fill you up, but simply tide you over until your next meal.  Tara also shared some of her favorite (and mine too!) low glycemic snacks (meaning that they don’t spike your blood sugar levels too high after eating).

These were Greek yogurt and berries, frozen grapes and carrots and hummus.  Just like I tell my clients, these should only bee 100-200 calories per snack.

Next we talked about how important it is to eat fiber rich carbohydrates with each meal.  Not only do they improve blood sugar levels, but they are a great source of energy.  

Some sources are brown rice, 100% whole wheat pasta, quinoa and beans.  All of which I love!  

Tara’s talk was super informative and she offered some useful tips.

Then we were lucky enough to test out some of their products and actually had “taste tests” to see which ones we preferred, ALDI brand or a major competitor.  It was so interesting!  

Most of the time I chose the ALDI exclusive-brand product and then they would show us how much less expensive they were.  Check out these crackers…

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test KitchenThese gluten-free crackers are similar to popular ones out in the big grocery stores. But get this, they are only $1.49!  

That is so crazy inexpensive and they tasted great too!

Let’s get back to that salad.

So, there was a competition for best healthy salad and guess who won?

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen

ME!  

I am not exactly sure how I won (and this isn’t the best picture of me) but I was excited to win!

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen

 

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad and My Trip to the Aldi Test Kitchen
5 from 1 vote
Print

Mixed Berry Chopped Mason Jar Salad

Course Salad
Servings 1 serving
Author Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Ingredients

  • For the dressing:
  • 4 tablespoons Carlini Olive Oil
  • 4 tablespoons Specially Selected Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon Simply Nature Organic Wildflower Honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Essentials Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Essentials Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Southern Grove Chia Seeds
  • For the salad:
  • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/4 avocado chopped
  • 1/2 cup mixed berries
  • 1 hard boiled GoldHen Large Egg chopped
  • 1 ounce Kirkwood Chicken chopped
  • 1/4 cup Dakota's Pride Great Northern White beans
  • 2 cups SimplyNature Organic Baby spinach
  • Southern Grove Chia seeds for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare dressing by mixing all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Pour into mason jar.
  3. Layer ingredients in order written above starting with red bell pepper right after dressing.
  4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours until ready to eat!

I bet you are wondering what I won for the salad competition?  I won ALDI gift certficates!

Guess what?  

I am giving away another $50 ALDI gift certificate TODAY!  All you have to do is comment here and tell me where the closest ALDI store is to you! GOOD LUCK!  Sorry but the giveaway is CLOSED! Thanks to all that entered!

If you make this salad or any of my other recipes, please come back and let me know. I love hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by!

You might also like

  • Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Phyllo Bites {Vegetarian, Easy}Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Phyllo Bites {Vegetarian, Easy}
  • Easy Minestrone Soup {Vegan, Ready in 30 Minutes}Easy Minestrone Soup {Vegan, Ready in 30 Minutes}
  • Healthy Chicken Salad made with Greek Yogurt #NourishEveryBodyHealthy Chicken Salad made with Greek Yogurt #NourishEveryBody
  • 5 Minute Pumpkin Mousse {Dairy-Free, No Bake, Gluten-Free, Healthy}5 Minute Pumpkin Mousse {Dairy-Free, No Bake, Gluten-Free, Healthy}
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
Signature

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Meat and Poultry, Recipes, Salads, Wheat Free Tagged With: ALDI, clean eating, healthy, make ahead, quick and easy

Comments

  1. JoeyfromSC says

    June 1, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Congrats on winning! the salad looks delicious!

    Unfortunately, I don’t have an ALDI here near me in CA, but my brother back home in SC does..I’d gift it to him for stuff for his 1st grandkid that is on the way!:)

    Thanks for the chance!!

    Joey J.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      Oh that’s exciting! Good luck Joey (and your brother!)

      Reply
  2. Rhadonda says

    June 1, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Wow your salad is beautiful. I’m on a 5-day clean eating and exercise challenge. Perfect timing!! Thankfully there is an Aldi in my town! Woot Woot

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:25 pm

      Thank you Rhadonda! Good luck ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. joan hagle says

    June 1, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Ok – great salad, but I love the shirt you have on in the picture. Where?

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 1, 2015 at 10:32 pm

      Oh thank you Joan! It’s from Anthropologie, but I bought it maybe 5 years ago ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Jessica DeMay says

    June 1, 2015 at 11:59 pm

    The closest Aldi is only a couple miles from me- I’m lucky. It’s one of my favorite stores and I love that they’re expanding their selection of healthy food options.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 12:12 am

      You are lucky Jessica! I love their healthy food options too!

      Reply
  5. Andria Broom says

    June 2, 2015 at 12:06 am

    I have an Aldi about five minutes down the road from my house and I shop there all the time! The very best prices.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 12:11 am

      That’s awesome you have one so close Andria! Good luck!

      Reply
  6. Kim says

    June 2, 2015 at 12:31 am

    I love aldi’s! The closest one to me is in florissant mo!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Thanks Kim and GOOD LUCK!

      Reply
  7. Stacey Sheckler says

    June 2, 2015 at 2:16 am

    How great that you won the salad competition! I really enjoy your recipes. We are very lucky to have an Aldi in our town (Lehighton, PA) – I often say I don’t know how we kept to our budget before Aldi. Their products are very high quality, too!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 11:27 am

      Thank you so much Stacey! And I agree, I love the quality of Aldi’s products and of course their prices!

      Reply
  8. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    June 2, 2015 at 11:04 am

    I’ve been so perplexed by the salad in the jar concept but you’ve swayed me now- Especially with the addition of berries- Yum!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Trust me Arman, I was hesitant too! Now I love them ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. claire @the realistic nutritionist says

    June 2, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    Okay, adorable salads!!

    Reply
  10. christine says

    June 2, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    This salad sounds amazing. I have yet to use the mason jar method but I know it’s happening soon.

    Reply
  11. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

    June 2, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I love making salads in mason jars! They’re so easy to prepare and have ready in my fridge! I can just grab one and off to work I go!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      I need to start making these more often Angie!

      Reply
  12. The Food Hunter says

    June 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    I love how quick and easy this is!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 10:51 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Pam says

    June 2, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    My ALDI is just a couple miles away. I’m very blessed.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 2, 2015 at 10:51 pm

      You really are Pam! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  14. Ashley @ Wishes & DIshes says

    June 3, 2015 at 2:50 am

    Congrats on winning!! I have to also admit that I Never knew that this mason jar salad trend was all about but now it all makes sense! This is a gorgeous looking salad.

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 3, 2015 at 11:11 am

      Thank you Ashley!

      Reply
  15. Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says

    June 3, 2015 at 2:56 am

    I forgot that you won the mason jar contest while we were there Lauren! Such a fun trip. Great post!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 3, 2015 at 11:11 am

      It was so great meeting you Ally!

      Reply
  16. Meriem @ Culinary Couture says

    June 3, 2015 at 4:03 am

    Congratulations on winning the salad competition! So sweet of you to give the certificate away to your readers ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 3, 2015 at 11:11 am

      Thank you Meriem! It was so nice to meet you!!

      Reply
  17. Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says

    June 3, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    I love this beautiful salad — and of COURSE you deserved to win! So many good things packed into that jar!!!

    Reply
  18. Anita says

    June 4, 2015 at 5:37 am

    Love this salad – I did not understand the mason jar salad trend either so thanks for explaining it so well and creating a gorgeous version of it!

    Reply
  19. Emily says

    June 4, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    WOW this recipe looks fantastic and I cant wait to try it!! So glad you won the competition too ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  20. Brenda Kleemann says

    June 9, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Aldi’s is great, hope I win the certificate,. Shopping there is fun.
    6810 S 27th Street
    Oak Creek. WI 53154

    Reply
  21. Sara North says

    June 11, 2015 at 1:22 am

    I’m new to the mason jar salads and I love them! Yours looks delicious! Love my ALDI!

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      June 11, 2015 at 1:31 am

      Thank you Sara!

      Reply
  22. Leah says

    July 18, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Congrats on your salad, love the mason jar look!! I’ve been cooking since I was 7 yes7, and love it from Greek food to American and then to any desert you can think of, one my favorite is a three layer cheese cake and no not s graham cracker crust!! Have fun and enjoy! Love your page

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      July 18, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Wow that is impressive Leah, since 7 years old?! Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  23. HOLLY COLLINS says

    March 13, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    Congratulations ..your salad looks amazing..I’m going to give it a try.. what an awesome way to pack lunch for on the go…. I love Aldis ..we now have two and the closest is about 15mins to get to..I’d say 10-15 miles away .. I love in the country.. best of luck to you and I’d love to win aldi certificate for help in feeding my family of 5..:)

    Reply
    • lauren.kelly says

      March 13, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Holly! And I apologize but the giveaway is over. Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  24. 21-day fix review says

    October 10, 2017 at 4:58 am

    5 stars
    Great post, salads are the best light weight food and are healthy and tasty at the same especially which consist of the olives. Everyone should have salad for better control over nutrients

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Lauren Kelly

Lauren Kelly
My Newest Cookbook!
Greek Yogurt Cookbook

Most Popular Recipes

  • This Healthy Mexican Casserole is my favorite, easy meal. It's gluten free, delicious and is ready in 30 minutes! Healthy Mexican Casserole
  • This Bulletproof Hot Chocolate will be your favorite winter drink! Low carb, keto, paleo & gluten free too. From Lauren Kelly Nutrition Bulletproof Hot Chocolate {Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan}
  • Gingerbread Chocolate Overnight Oats make the perfect, healthy breakfast! Gingerbread Chocolate Overnight Oats {Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}
  • Matcha Coconut Ice Cream from Lauren Kelly Nutrition #vegan #glutenfree #dairyfree Matcha Coconut Ice Cream {4 Ingredients, No Churn, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free}
  • Spicy Honey Lime Chicken & Edamame Rice and a Review of Terra's Kitchen | Lauren Kelly Nutrition Spicy Honey Lime Chicken & Edamame Rice and A Review of Terra’s Kitchen
  • Simple to make with all wholesome ingredients, these Cranberry Almond Energy Balls are a must make! No Bake Cranberry Almond Energy Balls {Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Keto, Low Carb, Dairy Free, Vegan}
  • Peanut Butter Protein Muffins www.laurenkellynutrition.com Peanut Butter Protein Muffins
  • This Spiked Apple Cider from lauren Kelly Nutrition is the cocktail you need this Fall! Spiked Apple Cider
  • Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa made in the Slow Cooker! Lauren Kelly Nutrition Vegetable Parmesan Quinoa in the Slow Cooker
  • This Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal takes minutes to prepare, is insanely delicious and tastes like a big, oatmeal cookie! #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan}

Recent Posts

  • No Bake Cranberry Almond Energy Balls {Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Keto, Low Carb, Dairy Free, Vegan}
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad {Gluten Free, Dairy, Free, Keto, Low Carb, Vegan}
  • Creamy Cauliflower Soup {Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Sugar Free}
  • Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookie {Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Vegan, Low Carb, Keto}
  • No Bake Cookie Dough Bars {Sugar Free, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto}
Wheat-Free Cooking!
Everything Wheat Free Book

Categories



Lauren Kelly Nutrition is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.


ยฉ 2021 ยท Lauren Kelly Nutrition โ€ข Privacy Policy โ€ข Log in
Enter your name and email and get the weekly newsletter... it's FREE!
LAUREN KELLY NUTRITION
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.