I can’t remember the first time I had poppyseed dressing, but I do know that it left an impression, and left me hooked.  I think it might’ve been on my mom’s broccoli salad… Either way, there’s something about that sweet-tart, tangy combination that is addictive!  I knew when I was working on a series of simpler, easy to prepare and healthy lunch recipes for a magazine feature, that I’d want to include a strawberry poppyseed salad, and making a kale mason jar salad just seemed to make sense.  This one is so fast to whip up and because the kale is hardy, it keeps well for several days in the fridge.  It’s also Paleo-friendly and if you omit the honey, a great option for a Whole 30 friendly lunch, as well.

(This recipe would be awesome for hosting a summer picnic or welcoming neighbors to your backyard.

Listen to these Everyday Welcome Podcast episodes for more inspiration!) 

Do I Have to Feed People?  (Episode 6: Recipes for Gathering)

Five Fast & Fun Ideas for Summer Gathering (Episode 10: Round Out Your Summer)

This recipe would work well with any berry, and if you’re prepping in advance, you could also use frozen berries (blueberries would work best), as they’d naturally thaw before eating.  (Funny note: when I originally made these for Facebook live, I never noticed till the playback that I was using chia seeds instead of poppyseeds – from the fully labeled storage container.  Oy!  The chia seeds gelled the dressing a bit, but they were still delicious.  Soooo, if you just happen to have chia instead of poppyseeds, it’s an option. 😉

A few years ago we began transitioning our storage containers to all glass, and by far, my favorite storage option is the mason jar.  Besides this kale mason jar salad, I make other salads, store soups, and drink my iced dandelion tea from these mason jars. There are so many cool accessories available now that you can prep, store, and eat with them.

Here are a couple of my favorite mason jar accessories:

• Stainless lids are perfect for make-ahead salads!
• I use fine-point Sharpie markers for everything, and they work great on stainless lids!  (Just use a bit of alcohol to remove.)
• Bright colorful plastic lids can be used to mark whose leftovers they contain, what’s in the jar, or when to consume!
• Try these washable labels for all your lids.
• I use these washable chalk markers for my labels and for my kitchen menu board – they work wonderfully!
• Not so useful for salads, but this stainless fruit infusion lid is great for taking your infused water along!

And I love having an immersion blender (makes salad dressings a snap, right in the jar):

• The Cuisinart Smart Stick

(Making a meal for a crowd?  Double or quadruple this recipe and forget the jars – it’s pretty, nourishing, and delicious.  Plus, since it’s make-ahead, you don’t have to hang out over the stove when friends come to visit.)   If you’re doing Whole30, be sure to check the recipe notes.

Print

Strawberry Poppyseed & Kale Jar Salad

Prep Time

5 mins

 

Easy mason jar salads for meal prep perfect for school lunches, work lunches, and picnics or on-the-go.

Course: lunch, Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: American, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo

Keyword: easy lunch recipes, no-cook recipes

Author: Angela Sackett | Everyday Welcome

Ingredients

For dressing:

• ¼ teaspoon whole grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey or honey-flavored stevia *see notes
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon poppyseed
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion

For salad:

• 1 cup fresh kale chopped
• 1 cup berries suggested strawberries and blackberries
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon chopped cooked bacon

Directions

1. Massage kale in 1 tablespoon olive oil with a pinch of salt and set aside.
2. Combine dressing ingredients in a sealed mason jar and shake well.
3. Add chopped kale and top with berries., almonds, and bacon.
4. Serve, or store in refrigerator tightly sealed, for up to three days (shake or toss with dressing before serving).

Recipe Notes

*For Whole30, omit sweetener and add 1-2 palm size helpings of protein like cooked chicken.  If you'd like a little sweetness in your dressing, try a small amount of cherry or apple juice.

What’s your favorite make-ahead lunch or dinner recipe?

Want more salad recipe ideas?

I love this Summer Chicken and Apple Salad.

Blackberry Brie Spinach Salad is amazing!

YUMMMM – Cauliflower Rice Tabbouleh Salad!

Try this Antipasti Easy Mason Jar Salad (who needs lettuce?)

Do not miss this Antipasti-Style Tuna Salad.

Autumn Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potatoes, Cherries and Walnuts is good all year long.

Watch me share quick prep tips for jar salads on Facebook

(Affiliate links from Amazon mean at no cost to you, I receive a commission on your purchase to help create content for Everyday Welcome.)

Inspiring {crunchy, tangy, easy-to-make-in-advance} welcome,

Angela