This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Safeway. All opinions are 100% my own.

Effortless Moroccan Mason Jar Salads: Healthy Meal Prep for Busy Weeks with Safeway

Discover the ultimate healthy meal prep solution with these vibrant Moroccan Mason Jar Salads. Packed with raw chopped vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas and quinoa, fresh herbs, and a zesty Moroccan-inspired dressing, these salads are perfect for nourishing your body throughout the week, especially during the busiest times.

Exciting news! I’m currently working on my first cookbook, and for those who follow my social media, you might have already heard the buzz. This new venture is deeply rooted in the philosophy of meal prep, a lifestyle I’ve truly embraced in my own kitchen. It’s all about dedicating a few hours, typically on a Sunday, to fill my trusty Tupperware and mason jars with an array of fresh, wholesome ingredients, setting myself up for a week of healthy eating.

While meal prep might not be the first thing that comes to mind during the bustling holiday season, it’s precisely when I find myself craving stability and nourishment the most. Amidst a flurry of festive commitments, holiday parties, and rich celebratory foods, it’s incredibly easy to feel a bit frazzled and nutritionally out of balance. Having a convenient, fresh, and vibrant meal ready in the fridge acts as a wonderful anchor, helping to balance out all the happy chaos and keep me feeling my best.

These Moroccan Mason Jar Salads are a prime example of effective meal prep. They are incredibly simple to put together, making them an ideal portable lunch option. Each jar is generously packed with a delightful medley of crunchy raw vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a truly zesty Moroccan-inspired dressing that brings all the flavors together. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also a fantastic way to ensure you’re getting essential nutrients, even when your schedule is packed.

Crafting Your Moroccan Mason Jar Salad: Essential Ingredients

I’ve experimented with various concoctions in mason jars before, from overnight oats to layered parfaits, but layering a full-bodied salad was a revelation. Until now, I hadn’t fully appreciated the magic of a mason jar salad, especially for keeping ingredients fresh and crisp. The beauty of this Moroccan Mason Jar Salad lies in its vibrant ingredients and how perfectly they hold up when prepped ahead of time.

Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to assemble these delightful salads, all carefully chosen for their flavor, texture, and nutritional value:

• Cauliflower: Finely chopped cauliflower provides a wonderful crunch and a neutral base that soaks up the dressing beautifully. It’s also a fantastic source of fiber and Vitamin C.
• Shredded Carrots: Adding a touch of natural sweetness and a brilliant orange hue, shredded carrots contribute to the salad’s satisfying texture and are rich in beta-carotene.
• Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas): These legumes are a powerhouse of plant-based protein and fiber, making the salad incredibly filling and satisfying. Draining and rinsing them thoroughly ensures the best flavor and texture.
• Green Onions: Sliced green onions offer a mild, fresh onion flavor that complements the other ingredients without being overpowering.
• Cilantro: A staple in Moroccan cuisine, fresh cilantro brings a bright, herbaceous note that is absolutely essential for the salad’s authentic flavor profile.
• Kalamata Olives: These briny, rich olives add a savory, umami depth that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cranberries and the zest of the dressing.
• Open Nature® Slivered Almonds:These almonds from Safeway’s exclusive Open Nature line provide a delightful crunch and healthy fats. They are minimally processed and free from unwanted additives, offering pure, natural goodness.
• Dried Cranberries: A burst of chewy sweetness and tang, dried cranberries are key to the salad’s complex flavor and add another layer of texture.
• Cooked Quinoa: This ancient grain is a complete protein and provides a hearty, wholesome component to the salad, ensuring you stay full and energized.

That’s the incredible lineup! You’ll absolutely adore the harmonious blend of diverse vegetables, fresh herbs, and the distinctive notes from the olives. This combination gives the salad a truly delicious Mediterranean-meets-Moroccan vibe that is both refreshing and comforting. My personal favorites are the slivered almonds and cranberries, which add a crucial textural contrast and a lovely touch of sweetness, elevating the whole experience.

The Zesty Heart: Moroccan Dressing Ingredients

No salad is complete without a stellar dressing, and this Moroccan-inspired blend is truly the star that ties all the vibrant flavors together. It’s a zippy, tantalizing mix of warm spices and bright citrus that perfectly complements the fresh ingredients in the mason jar.

To create this irresistible dressing, you’ll need:

• OOrganics® Organic Cumin: This earthy, warm spice is foundational to Moroccan flavors, adding depth and a rich aroma. Sourced from Safeway’s O Organics line, you’re assured of USDA Certified Organic quality.
• Turmeric: Beyond its beautiful golden color, turmeric offers a subtle peppery and slightly bitter flavor, alongside its well-known anti-inflammatory properties.
• OOrganics® Organic Cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon might seem unexpected in a savory dressing, but it’s a classic Moroccan touch that adds a wonderful warmth and hint of sweetness, balancing the other spices. Again, trust O Organics for premium quality.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base of any good dressing, high-quality extra virgin olive oil binds the flavors and adds healthy monounsaturated fats.
• Lemon Juice (or Apple Cider Vinegar): Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the essential zesty acidity that brightens the entire dressing. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a great alternative if you prefer.
• Minced Garlic: A few cloves of fresh minced garlic contribute a pungent, aromatic kick that is indispensable for a savory dressing.
• Himalayan Sea Salt: For seasoning and enhancing all the individual flavors.
• Signature SELECTTMGround Black Pepper: A dash of freshly ground black pepper adds a finishing touch of subtle heat. This is another excellent, affordable product from Safeway’s versatile Signature SELECT line.

Simply toss all these ingredients into a high-speed blender or food processor. A quick blend will emulsify everything into a smooth, aromatic dressing that’s ready to transform your salad. The convenience of using a blender makes this step virtually effortless, saving you time during your meal prep session.

Assembling Your Perfect Moroccan Mason Jar Salads

Preparing these Moroccan Mason Jar Salads for meal prep truly couldn’t be simpler, and the layering technique is key to keeping everything fresh. This method ensures your salad remains crisp and prevents the dressing from making your ingredients soggy until you’re ready to eat.

1. Prepare the Dressing: First, combine all the dressing ingredients – the O Organics Organic Cumin, turmeric, O Organics Organic Cinnamon, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Himalayan sea salt, and Signature SELECT Ground Black Pepper – in your blender or food processor. Blend on high until thoroughly incorporated and smooth. If you’re using garlic powder instead of fresh minced garlic, you can even whisk or shake the dressing by hand in a sealed container. Once blended, refrigerate the dressing until you’re ready to assemble your salads. This step can be done well in advance.
2. Layer the Jars for Meal Prep: For optimal freshness and to prevent sogginess, the layering order is crucial. Start by pouring the prepared dressing into the very bottom of each mason jar. Next, layer the heartier, less absorbent ingredients first, like chickpeas and quinoa, followed by chopped cauliflower, carrots, olives, green onions, and finally the more delicate items like cilantro, slivered almonds, and dried cranberries on top. This creates a barrier, keeping the greens and crunchy elements away from the dressing until serving time. Securely seal each mason jar with a lid.
3. Refrigerate: Once assembled, refrigerate your mason jars. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to five days, making them perfect for your work week lunches.
4. Serving Secret: When you’re ready to enjoy your salad, here’s the clever trick: simply tip the mason jar upside down. Give it a good shake to distribute the dressing evenly over all the layered ingredients. Then, remove the lid and serve directly into a bowl or eat right from the jar. The dressing will beautifully coat every component, ensuring a flavorful bite every time!

Cool, right? This method not only makes meal prep efficient but also turns a simple salad into a fun, interactive eating experience.

O Organics & Open Nature: Quality Ingredients from Safeway

In creating this Moroccan Mason Jar Salad recipe, I relied on some of my all-time favorite products available exclusively at Safeway. These brands exemplify Safeway’s commitment to quality, health, and affordability, making healthy eating accessible to everyone.

For the dressing, I chose the OOrganics Organic Cinnamon and OOrganics Organic Cumin. The O Organics product line is truly special because every single item is USDA Certified Organic. This certification ensures that the products are produced using organic farming methods that promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity, without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. When you choose O Organics, you’re choosing pure, unadulterated quality for your kitchen.

Additionally, the Open Nature slivered almonds added a fantastic crunch and healthy fats to the salad. Open Nature® products are designed for those seeking minimally processed foods free from 110 unwanted food additives such as artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives. This brand focuses on providing wholesome, natural options that you can feel good about feeding yourself and your family.

Safeway is dedicated to offering new, on-trend products at incredible value prices, often significantly lower than leading organic brands. This commitment makes eating healthily not just a choice, but an accessible and affordable lifestyle for more people than ever before. Both O Organics and Open Nature boast a wide assortment of organic, minimally processed, and protein-rich products that cater to nearly every occasion and dietary need throughout the store – from pantry staples to fresh produce and dairy.

You can find my beloved O Organics and Open Nature products at my local Safeway store. These exclusive brands are also available across the extensive Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets, and Carrs/Safeway. This wide availability ensures that quality, organic, and natural options are always within reach.

Finally, the Signature SELECT Ground Black Pepper comes from Safeway’s broad Signature SELECT line. This brand encompasses thousands of high-quality products at genuinely affordable prices, offering exceptional value on everything from essential pantry staples to convenient ready-made meals. It’s a testament to Safeway’s mission to provide comprehensive solutions for all your grocery needs.

To explore more of my favorite pantry staples and discover the full range of products, be sure to visit Safeway.com to find a store near you. And for added convenience in your busy life, Safeway also offers Grocery Delivery and DriveUp & Go™ options, providing convenient, contactless ways to shop for all your healthy ingredients!

Serving Suggestions & Health Benefits of Your Moroccan Mason Jar Salad

This Moroccan Mason Jar Salad is designed to be an incredibly versatile and satisfying meal prep option, perfect for a healthy and quick lunch. One of its unique aspects, and something I particularly love, is that it’s packed with distinctive ingredients without relying on the standard leafy green base. This makes it a hearty and substantial meal in itself.

Each mason jar is a nutritional powerhouse, carefully assembled to keep you feeling full and energized throughout your day. It’s loaded with plant-based protein from the chickpeas and whole-grain goodness from the quinoa, which also provides essential amino acids. The vibrant chopped vegetables deliver a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, crucial for digestive health. Furthermore, healthy fats from the extra virgin olive oil in the dressing and the Open Nature slivered almonds contribute to satiety and nutrient absorption, ensuring a well-rounded meal that truly nourishes.

My preferred method is to prepare several jars at the beginning of the week. This way, I have an effortless, pre-made lunch ready to grab for my busy workdays, eliminating the guesswork and temptation of less healthy options. Just grab it from the fridge, give it a good shake to mix the dressing, and it’s ready to be served and devoured!

But don’t limit this incredible salad to just meal prep! While it excels as a pre-portioned, on-the-go meal, its deliciousness transcends the jar. You can also mix all the ingredients in a large serving bowl, toss them thoroughly with the zesty dressing, and serve it immediately for a fresh and flavorful dinner side or a main course for a gathering.

If you happen not to have large mason jars on hand, don’t worry! A Tupperware container with a tight-fitting lid will yield similar fantastic results for meal prepping. Just ensure you layer the dressing at the bottom and the more delicate ingredients on top.

Enjoy the vibrant flavors and the incredible convenience that this Moroccan Mason Jar Salad brings to your table!

More Delicious Vegan Salads to Explore

• My Go To Kale Salad

• Roasted Beet Salad With Citrus Tahini

• Curried Cauliflower Kale Salad

• Warm Kale Salad With Citrus Tahini

• Cran-Apple Tempeh Kale Salad

• Raw Krazy Kale Salad

• Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad

• Baked By Melissa’s Green Goddess Salad

• Wintergreen Salad With Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

• Thai Salad With SunButter Dressing

• Roasted Squash & Arugula Salad

• Kidney Bean Arugula Salad

• Chop’t Chickpea Salad

• Red Bean & Pomegranate Salad

• Roasted Fig Arugula Salad

• Golden Bean & Green Bean Salad

• Brussels Sprout Cranberry Salad

• Fall Harvest Salad

• Kale Caesar With Avocado Tahini

• Swiss Chard Abundance Salad

I Want to Hear From You!

If you embark on making this delightful Moroccan Mason Jar Salad recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Your feedback is invaluable and helps me to continue creating delicious and exciting recipes for you.

Be sure to leave me a comment, a star rating, and a review right here on the blog. Sharing your thoughts helps others discover and enjoy these recipes too!

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show off your beautiful creations. I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life in your own kitchens!

For more recipe inspiration and to pin delicious ideas for later, check out my Pinterest page.

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XO Lauren

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