Picnic Jar Salad Strawberry Goat (Printable)

A vibrant jar layered with strawberries, goat cheese, nuts, and greens for fresh, handheld enjoyment.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad Base

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
02 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 0.5 cup goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 0.33 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 0.5 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

# Directions:

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 jars, using approximately 1 tablespoon per jar as the base layer.
03 - Layer sliced red onion, cucumber, and strawberries sequentially in each jar above the dressing.
04 - Top vegetable layers with crumbled goat cheese and chopped nuts, dividing evenly among jars.
05 - Fill each jar to the top with mixed salad greens, pressing gently to secure all components.
06 - Seal jars with lids and refrigerate until ready to serve. When eating, shake jar vigorously to distribute dressing, then consume directly from jar or transfer to a bowl.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything stays crisp and separate until the moment you shake and eat—no premade sadness waiting in a container.
  • The sweet strawberries against tangy goat cheese and the snap of toasted nuts create texture contrasts that make every bite feel intentional.
  • Pack it, forget about it for hours, and it actually gets better as flavors meld together.
02 -
  • Dressing goes on the bottom of the jar, not on top—this seems backward, but it's the entire reason these salads stay fresh for hours.
  • Pat your greens completely dry before using them; any extra moisture dilutes the dressing and makes everything wilt faster.
  • Don't skip the emulsification step in the dressing; a proper whisk takes 30 seconds and makes the difference between a smooth dressing and separated oil.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes if you have time—the flavor difference is remarkable and worth those few minutes.
  • Shake the jar with real enthusiasm before eating; gentle tilting won't distribute the dressing, but vigorous shaking coats everything evenly and actually feels satisfying.
Go Back