Picnic Jar Salad Strawberries Goat (Printable view)

A fresh, layered salad featuring strawberries, goat cheese, nuts, and mixed greens ready in 15 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
02 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon honey
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How To Make:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
02 - Distribute dressing evenly among four large quart-sized mason jars, using approximately 1 tablespoon per jar as the base layer.
03 - Layer sliced red onion, cucumber, and strawberries on top of the dressing in each jar.
04 - Add crumbled goat cheese and chopped nuts as the next layers in each jar.
05 - Crown each jar with mixed salad greens, filling to the top.
06 - Seal jars and refrigerate until ready to serve. Shake vigorously to distribute dressing before eating directly from the jar or transferring to a bowl.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can prep these the night before and they stay crisp because the greens sit safely on top, away from the dressing.
  • Shaking a jar right before eating feels like a small, satisfying ritual that actually tastes better than stirring a bowl.
  • The sweet-tart strawberries paired with creamy goat cheese and toasted nuts hits every flavor note without feeling heavy.
02 -
  • Never layer the greens first or they'll wilt into a sad heap by lunchtime—dressing on the bottom, greens on top, always.
  • If you're making these more than a day ahead, assemble everything except the greens, then add them fresh the morning you'll eat it, and your salad will stay vibrant instead of turning into mush.
03 -
  • Invest in quality aged balsamic vinegar—it changes the whole flavor profile and makes you sound like you know what you're doing in the kitchen.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, prep all your components in separate containers the night before and assemble the jars in the morning so everything tastes fresh.
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