Tacos aren’t just for Tuesday – I could easily eat them every day of the week! With this healthy taco salad in a jar, I can give into my cravings without sacrificing my health. It’s a win-win!

How to Layer Salad in a Jar

The key to making this taco salad is all about layering. Because a salad in a jar is meant to be eaten later, you want to layer your salad so that nothing gets squished or soggy – even after a few days in the fridge.

Greens Go on Top

This is the most important key for greens that stay fresh and crisp. Lettuce and other greens are easily crushed and get soggy if they’re exposed to liquid. That’s why it’s best to add your greens last.

Wet Ingredients on the Bottom

Dressing, salsa, and juicy veggies like tomatoes do best closer to the bottom of the jar. This prevents them from adding too much moisture to the rest of the salad. This is also why it’s important to add the crumbled tortilla chips right before the lettuce. Putting them near the top prevents them from getting soggy.

Substitutions and Ingredient Ideas

The main ingredients for this recipe are simple, but you can also get creative and customize your taco salad. Here are a few ideas:

• Add more protein. If you’d like to keep this recipe vegetarian, you can add more protein with extra beans or vegetarian meatless crumbles. You can also add ground lean beef or sliced chicken breast if you’d like a meat option.
• Add some fresh salsa or pico de gallo. This adds some extra zest and heat to your taco salad. (These are both high in liquid, so keep them at the bottom.)
• Try some spinach. Sub spinach for lettuce for a twist that packs even more nutrition into every bite.
• Go for grilled corn. For even more flavor, use grilled, roasted, or parched corn.
• Have fun with the cheese. I use cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can also use shredded queso cheese or queso fresco crumbles.

 

FAQs for Taco Salad in a Jar 

How long can you store a salad in a jar? 

The key is to start with really fresh produce. Then, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your taco salad in a jar can easily last 4-5 days.

If you make a batch on Sunday evening, you can have a salad every weekday!

Should I add the dressing when I make the salad? 

I wait until I’m ready to eat my salad to add the dressing. You can also add it at the bottom of the jar – just make sure it stays there! That means no shaking or tipping the jar until you’re ready to eat your salad. Otherwise, your other ingredients might get soggy.

What’s the best dressing for taco salad in a jar?

A simple fresh salsa makes an excellent dressing for a taco salad. You can also try a cilantro lime dressing or lime vinaigrette. Ranch also pairs nicely with the flavors in this salad.

Want more recipes like this? Check out my 25 Cinco de Mayo recipes here.

Share Your Creations with Me!

Did you make this taco salad in a jar recipe? I’d love to see your creations on Instagram! Make sure to tag your post with #azbrecipes or #azestybiterecipes so I’ll be sure to see them. Enjoy!