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!
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.
The main ingredients for this recipe are simple, but you can also get creative and customize your taco salad. Here are a few ideas:
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.
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!
Divide the ingredients into half for two separate salad jars.
Place the following ingredients into the jar starting with lettuce, corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, chips and cilantro.
Put the lid on and store in refrigerator until ready to eat. Top with your favorite dressing and season with salt and pepper.
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I am ALWAYS looking for more salad in a jar suggestions. This one might just be my favorite yet. I love Mexican salad and yours looks so tasty!
Meagan, this is so fun! I love the layering – thanks for sharing friend!
I have a backyard casual dinner party coming up and these would be great to serve!
And this is why you are the smart one of the group! I will be eating gobs of this salad after a day of gluttony!
Pretty sure I ate my weight in chips and guac last night so this salad is just what I need to celebrate Cinco de Mayo today! 🙂
Meagan, how genius! Such pretty layers, too!
They look so pretty in the jar!
I can never get enough of Mexican food! 🙂
These are so pretty! I definitely could use healthy recipes that give me the Mexican flavors I love. I overindulge too! Thanks for a delicious salad idea 🙂
How fun. My kids would love this!
What a fun fun lunch to bring to work. I thru my lunch time at my desk. Sometimes that can seem kind of grim, BUT one of these cuties would certainly be uplifting. Healthy and tastes good at the same time—my favorite combo.
portable salad, for the win!
Just wondering what size mason jars to use. You have mentioned in another post they need to be packed in well to store for a couple of days.
Thanks 🙂
Just realised the ‘you’ above was another site linked to yours, but I would still love to know!
Hi Cilleraiania,
I used a 16 ounce jar for this salad.
Thanks 🙂
Do the tortilla chips get soggy after being in the refrigerator? Looks yummy, minus the corn, I don’t like corn.
You can just hold off on the tortilla chips until you are ready to eat. Just take them in a baggie.
I know this is probably going to sound stupid…but a friend told me she was in love with these jar meals but I have to admit, I’m a little confused. Do you pour the ingredients out of the jar when you’re ready to eat? Do you try to mix it in the jar? Sorry if this is a ridiculous question.
Hi Lisa – You can shake it up in the jar or pour it out on a plate to eat it.
You say in the article to place lettuce at the top so it doesn’t go soggy YET you layer it at the bottom of this.
I know from experience lettuce is better at the top, just doesn’t look as pretty in the photo.
Need consistency with what you say
Sorry about that! I just updated the post but I need to retake the photos. You will want the lettuce to be on top so that it doesn’t get soggy. If you eat right away then it won’t matter.
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