No time to cook? These healthy mason jar meals are a life saver!
Eating healthy is something I strive for, but sometimes time is not on my side.
Often in the morning, I'm out in a rush, attending to farm chores, forgetting to eat breakfast. Then the day flies by, and when it's time for lunch, I want to eat ASAP. No time for making anything from scratch!
And this is where breakfast and lunch in a mason jar come in very handy!
Making healthy mason jar meals will ensure you'll have something ready to eat for breakfast and lunch that's not only healthy but delicious too.
Two of my favorite mason jar recipes are overnight oats for breakfast and salad for lunch. They both pack a ton of healthy nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. These recipes also keep me full and satisfied, keeping me on the go until my next meal.
Keep reading to learn how to make these easy mason jar recipes!
This post is sponsored by the makers of Ball® home canning products.*
INGREDIENTS FOR THESE RECIPES
OVERNIGHT OATS
OATS - Oats are full of fiber, help keep you full during the day, and are the perfect meal to eat for breakfast to jumpstart your day.
APPLES AND BANANAS - Fresh fruit is the perfect addition to overnight oats. It adds to your daily fruit recommended intake, amping up your nutrients. Apples add fiber and delicious flavor, while the bananas add sweetness. You can also make this recipe with blueberries, raspberries, or your favorite fruit.
CHIA SEEDS - Chia seeds are packed with calcium, add fiber and essential fatty acids like Omega 3. They are the perfect healthy addition to overnight oats.
HONEY - Honey is rich in antioxidants and is better for blood sugar levels than regular sugar. Sweetening with honey keeps these overnight oat recipes healthy but still sweet.
NUTS - Increase your protein intake and healthy fats by adding the preferred nuts of your choice.
MILK & YOGURT - I use plant-based almond yogurt and coconut milk. You can add whichever is your favorite.
SALAD
GREENS - Any green will do! You can use spinach, kale, romaine, arugula, or a mixture!
FRESH VEGGIES - Don't be afraid to try different varieties. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, corn, peas, and carrots are some great options.
PROTEIN - My preferred protein is roasted Garbanzos (chickpeas). They add protein, fiber, and other essential minerals like manganese, copper, and iron. You could also add tofu, black beans, or a meat alternative.
NUTS - Again, choose a favorite for an added boost of protein and nutrients.
HOMEMADE DRESSING - Making your own dressing helps cut down unnecessary ingredients and calories!
HEALTHY MASON JAR MEALS RECIPES
HEALTHY OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup of yogurt (I use plant-based almond yogurt)
1/2 cup of milk (I use coconut milk)
Tsp Chia seed.
A whole apple or banana, chopped
Hand-full of chopped pecans for the apple recipe and a handful of slivered almonds for the banana recipe
A healthy spoonful of honey for each recipe
It’s optional, but a pinch of cinnamon tastes really good in the apple overnight oats
DIRECTIONS:
Add oats first, followed by yogurt and milk.
Add chia seeds and mix
Add the nuts
Add the fruit
Add honey
Seal with a Ball® Leak-Proof Storage Lid.
Store for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight. Hence the name ;-)
Jars Used: Ball® 16 oz jar
SALAD IN A JAR RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
Option 1 - Romaine with ranch
1 small head of romaine
A handful of cherry tomatoes ( chopped)
1/4 a red onion ( chopped)
1 small cucumber ( chopped)
The desired amount of homemade ranch dressing (recipe below)
1/2 cup of roasted garbanzos.
Option 2 - Spinach and avocado
About a cup and a half of fresh spinach
A handful of chopped kalamata olives
1/4 red onion (chopped)
Handful of cranberries
Handful of pistachios
1/2 cup roasted garbanzo
DIRECTIONS:
Prep all ingredients
Add dressing first
Follow by veggies
Add protein
Add nuts
Top with the green of your choice
Store until ready to eat! Most salads can last up to 5 days in the fridge
Jars Used: Ball® 32 ounce wide mouth jar.
Ball® Leak-Proof lids
DRESSING RECIPES
AVOCADO DRESSING RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbs Maple syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup avocado oil
1 medium to large avocado
splash of water If needed.
DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add water if needed to thin dressing out.
RANCH DRESSING RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup mayonnaise ( I use a plant-based mayo)
Juice of 1 lemon
Splash of water
2 Tbs ranch mixture.
Ranch Mixture: ¼ cup onion powder, 1 Tbs celery salt, 2 Tbs dried parsley, 1 Tbs poppy seeds, 1 Tbs dill weed, 2 Tsp garlic powder, 2 Tsp sweet basil, 1 ½ tsp salt, 1 Tbs sugar. Mix well and store in jar. Makes 1 cup.
DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add water if needed to thin dressing out.
TIPS FOR MAKING THESE RECIPES
FOR THE OAts
Always add the oats first, followed by the milk and yogurt.
If adding chia seeds mix well before adding other ingredients.
Add the honey last.
Pour the oats out of the jar into a bowl before eating.
Give it a good stir before eating.
FOR THE SALADS
Add the dressing first and greens last. This will prevent the greens from getting mushy.
Pour salad out of the jar onto a salad plate before eating.
Store in the fridge and eat within 5 days.
SUPPLIES USED
I love using the Ball® 32 oz wide-mouth jars for the salad! They are the perfect size to make a good-sized salad and all stay fresh inside.
Ball® 16 oz jars for the overnight oats work great! You can also use a wide mouth 16 oz jar for the oats.
Ball leak-proof lids are a must-have for me! They make storing food so easy. I use them to store dried goods in, leftovers, meal prep, and so much more!
Breakfast and lunch in a mason jar make eating healthy much more easier and accessible. Honestly, any jar works great! I just love them so much!
If you’re looking for other recipes to make see below!
Roasted Sweet Potato and Arugula Salad
If you make this let me know! Thank you for following along!
Warmly,
Annette
*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post that is part of an ongoing partnership with the Fresh Preserving Division of Newell Brands. They have provided jars, equipment and monetary compensation. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
