Hummusapien

Quinoa, Pear, and Spinach Salad in a Jar

96 Comments

Salads in a jar! Mason jar salads! They’re the hottest thing since….salad on a plate.

Pear, Quinoa, and Spinach Salad in a Jar

I turned my Mediterranean Quinoa Salad into a salad in a jar for yesterday’s news segment and everyone went bonkers. There’s something magical about dumping a bunch of layers into a bowl and watching it turn into a salad before your very eyes. Like, how in the world did that just happen.

Ya know how lately I’ve been talking about how I haven’t been in the mood to cook? Welp, these Mason jar salads have been the answers to all my prayers. Since my desire to cook is fleeting, I’ve been trying to take advantage of the ten minutes when I feel like making something that doesn’t involve Hummusapien or Alchemy and make as much as humanly possible in that itty bitty time frame.

These are SO simple. Since the dressing is at the bottom of the jar, you don’t have to worry about the greenies getting all funkalicious. They stay nice and crisp while the goodies at the bottom soak up the vinaigrette. BADA BOOM CHICKA BOW WOW BOMB DIGGITY.

Pear, Quinoa, and Spinach Salad in a Jar

When I saw that Taylor’s Gold pears were on sale for $1.99 at Whole Foods Market Upper Arlington, I was initially going to make them into muffins. Who doesn’t die for a juicy, sweet pear stuffed into a muff? The issue is that I always bake up forty seven things and then think, “Wait. Why did I just make MORE baked goods when I don’t have any food to eat for actual meals?!” Muffins are not meals. Or are they?

Then there’s the frozen quinoa. Yes, it’s of course a tad pricier than buying it dry in bulk, but sometimes you just want to whip up your lunches in a flish flash without having to turn on the stove. Can I get an AMEN!

Amen.

Pear, Quinoa, and Spinach Salad in a Jar

Microwave the bag of quinoa. Whisk together the four-ingredient dressing. Chop walnuts, onion, and pears. Layer. A monkey could make this salad!!

If microwaving frozen quinoa and making Major jar salads ahead of time will make you all eat healthier, than so be it. Sometimes it’s well worth it to spend that extra dollar on a convenience item if it means the difference between cooking at home or calling for take-out.

WORSE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED THAN FROZEN KEEN-WA.

IMG_2553a

So make a few of these on a Sunday night and put it in your lunchbox with a big bowl for dumping. Hey lunch (for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday), you just got SERVED.

5.0 from 3 reviews
Quinoa, Pear and Spinach Salad in a Jar
 
Print
Prep time
Total time
 
Loaded with protein-packed quinoa, pear, and spinach, this makes the perfect work week lunch!
Alexis:
Recipe type: Salad
Serves: 1
Ingredients
For the maple balsamic dressing:
  • 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tbsp pure maple syrup
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the salad:
  • 2 tbsp maple balsamic dressing
  • ½ cup cooked quinoa
  • ½ large ripe pear, diced
  • 2 tbsp pecans, chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped red onion
  • 2 tbsp dried cherries or cranberries
  • 2-3 cups baby spinach (or enough to fill the jar)
  • 1-quart size (32oz) mason jar
Instructions
  1. Place all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until combined. (I blended mine in my nutribullet.) You'll have leftover dressing.
  2. Place 2 tbsp of dressing at the bottom of a mason jar. Layer with quinoa and then top with walnuts, pear, onion, dried cranberries, and finishing with the spinach on top.
  3. Place lid on mason jar and refrigerate until ready to dump in a large bowl and eat!
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe

[Tweet “Make these Pear, Quinoa, and Spinach Salads in a Jar for the work week! via @TheHummusapien @WholeFoodsUA”]

This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Market Upper Arlington as part of our ongoing partnership. Thanks for supporting the companies that make Hummusapien possible! 

Related Posts

Comments

  14. Found this recipe after loving your Greek Yogurt Mango (and Pineapple) Muffin recipe. It all sounds like something I’ve done for years getting ready for a dinner party…stacking your salad. Just a hint, taking the 5 minutes total to toast those sliced almonds (from Costco – cheap – same with died tart cherries) makes a world of difference in their flavor.
    And to state the obvious, why not make a large batch of quinoa and freeze yourself in small freezer zip loc bags (reusable). To that end, you could chop and freeze the onion pieces along with the quinoa all at one time…not quite as crisp and oniony but makes for a very fast salad. I use my stick blender/mini processor to make all salad dressings…so fast and can store in the refrigerator right in the mini processor. It’s my very favorite kitchen (next to my $400 outrageious Breville ice cream maker with it’s own compressor…makes all kinds in 30 minutes). The older Braun ones were the kind to buy and the stick blender, kept plugged in on the island next to the sink, is SO handy for mix and wash and rehang in 2 minutes. OKAY…there you have it, all my tips and tricks for the day! 🙂
    Jolinda recently posted…Enter your zip code hereMy Profile

    Reply

  16. I’ve had this salad for lunch two days in a row. So nummy! I never expect recipes that are so easy to be so good! This one is. Everything complements everything else perfectly. (I just made my quinoa the regular way–I had the time and a huge bag of dry quinoa in the pantry.)

    Reply

  18. Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know
    about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole
    thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
    Point Click Cash System recently posted…Point Click Cash SystemMy Profile

    Reply

  28. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more
    in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images.
    Maybe you could space it out better?
    Trembolex Ultra Review recently posted…Trembolex Ultra ReviewMy Profile

    Reply

  30. I seldom leave comments, but after browsing through a ton of
    remarks on Quinoa, Pear, and Spinach Salad in a Jar | Hummusapien. I do have 2
    questions for you if it’s okay. Could it be simply me or do some of these comments look as if they are coming from brain dead individuals?
    😛 And, if you are writing at additional online social sites, I would like to follow you.
    Could you post a list of every one of your public
    pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or
    linkedin profile?
    Nivele Slimming Cream recently posted…Nivele Slimming CreamMy Profile

    Reply

  33. Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website.
    I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up
    being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it
    at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who
    add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate.
    Nice task.
    Invigorate Rx Review recently posted…Invigorate Rx ReviewMy Profile

    Reply

  36. I would like to use the opportunity of saying thanks to you for your professional direction I have
    often enjoyed going to your site. I’m looking forward to the actual commencement of
    my school research and the complete planning would never have been complete without
    checking out your site. If I could be of any assistance to others, I would be delighted to help by way of what I have gained from here.
    Revoria Serum Trial recently posted…Revoria Serum TrialMy Profile

    Reply

  42. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and
    entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.

    The issue is something which too few men and women are speaking intelligently
    about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across
    this during my hunt for something regarding this.
    Daily Choice CBD Review recently posted…Daily Choice CBD ReviewMy Profile

    Reply

  45. Greetings I am so excited I found your web site, I really found you by accident,
    while I was searching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here
    now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I
    also love the theme/design), I don?t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read much more, Please do keep up the superb jo.
    GrowMax CBD Oil recently posted…GrowMax CBD OilMy Profile

    Reply

  46. Excellent weblog here! Additionally your site rather a
    lot up very fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I
    get your associate link on your host? I desire
    my website loaded up as fast as yours lol.
    Limitless Cut recently posted…Limitless CutMy Profile

    Reply

  50. I just like the valuable info you supply for your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check once more right here frequently.
    I am quite certain I will be told many new stuff right right here!
    Best of luck for the next!
    Alpha Pro Muscle recently posted…Alpha Pro MuscleMy Profile

    Reply

  51. I would like to use the chance of thanking you for that professional instruction I have
    constantly enjoyed visiting your site. We’re looking
    forward to the particular commencement of my school research
    and the entire prep would never have been complete without surfing your website.

    If I might be of any help to others, I will be ready to help by way of what I have
    discovered from here.
    Testo Sup Xtreme recently posted…Testo Sup XtremeMy Profile

    Reply

  53. naturally like your web site however you have to test the
    spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are
    rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the truth
    then again I will definitely come again again.
    MaxForte recently posted…MaxForteMy Profile

    Reply

  56. Nice weblog right here! Also your site quite a bit up very fast!

    What host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate
    link to your host? I want my website loaded up as quickly as
    yours lol.
    Muscle Nit XT recently posted…Muscle Nit XTMy Profile

    Reply

  57. My spouse and i ended up being absolutely lucky Chris could deal with his
    researching out of the ideas he was given out of your web
    page. It is now and again perplexing just to choose to be making a gift of guidance that many people today have been making money from.
    And we also do understand we now have you to give thanks to for that.
    Those explanations you have made, the simple website menu,
    the friendships your site help to engender – it’s got mostly wonderful, and it’s really aiding our son in addition to
    our family do think this subject is amusing, which is highly indispensable.

    Many thanks for the whole thing!
    Alpha Monster Blast Review recently posted…Alpha Monster Blast ReviewMy Profile

    Reply

  69. Thank you for being the teacher on this topic.
    My partner and i enjoyed your own article quite definitely
    and most of all favored how you really handled the areas I thought to be controversial.
    You’re always extremely kind towards readers much like me and assist me in my everyday
    living. Thank you.
    Daily Choice Hemp Oil recently posted…Daily Choice Hemp OilMy Profile

    Reply

  70. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a weblog website?

    The account helped me a appropriate deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast offered bright
    clear idea.
    Maxx Cut recently posted…Maxx CutMy Profile

    Reply

  74. After checking out a number of the blog posts on your web page, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog.
    I book marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the
    near future. Take a look at my website as well and let me know your opinion.
    GlowFresh Beauty recently posted…GlowFresh BeautyMy Profile

    Reply

  80. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness to your submit
    is just cool and that i could think you’re an expert in this subject.
    Fine along with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed
    to stay updated with approaching post. Thank you
    1,000,000 and please continue the gratifying work.
    Aquatru Water Filter recently posted…Aquatru Water FilterMy Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

CommentLuv badge

As Featured On…

Subscribe to Hummusapien

Current Favorites

Loading..