A salad so beautiful, you’ll barely want to eat it! But you’ll definitely want to because this southwestern chopped salad is full of flavor, thanks to an easy to make dressing and tons of great vegetables.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This chopped salad is so crunchy and colorful! You can make it in a bowl if you prefer.

How long it takes: 15 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: measuring cup, sharp knife, jar or bowl
Servings: 1 large salad

Chopped salad in a tall mason jar.
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Beautiful layers of flavor and nutrition make this mason jar salad a meal prep dream come true! You’ll look forward to this vegetarian southwestern chopped salad waiting for you in your fridge.

Colorful chopped salad in a mason jar.

Mason jar salads are all the rage lately, and for good reason! The dressing waiting at the bottom is kept separate from the other ingredients, preventing the horrors of a soggy salad. They are perfect for meal prep on the weekend and easy weekday meals, all ready to go with no soggy salad.

Have you tried my caprese mason jar salad? Try it with that basil in your garden you need to use!

Ingredients needed for salad.

Dressing: All you need are two simple ingredients: canned enchilada sauce and Greek yogurt. It’s full of flavor thanks to the enchilada sauce (you can use mild or medium, whatever you prefer) and the yogurt makes it so creamy.

Grain: Layered on top of the dressing in the mason jar is your favorite grain. I use freekeh in mine, but quinoa or brown rice are good choices, too.

Black Beans: On top of the grain, add black beans or pinto beans. They provide protein so you’ll be full all afternoon.

Chopped Vegetables: Lastly are all the beautiful vegetables. I use green onions, tomato, jicama, red cabbage, bell peppers, corn and cilantro. Choose what you like or happen to have in the fridge. You can make as many or as few layers as you like.

To Serve: When you’re ready to eat, you just need to dump it in a bowl and mix it all together. By the way, this salad doesn’t have to be made in a jar. You can put the ingredients in a bowl, add the dressing, mix it together, and eat it right away.

Salad poured into a bowl.

Happy lunching!

Recipe

Southwestern Chopped Salad in Mason Jar

4.80 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 salad
This southwestern chopped salad has an easy dressing and tons of vegetables – it’s almost too pretty to eat. ALMOST. But it’s worth every beautiful bite.
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Ingredients 

For Dressing (makes enough for 4 salads)

  • ½ cup red enchilada sauce (from a 10 ounce can)
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

For 1 Mason Jar Salad

  • 3 tablespoons dressing
  • ½ cup cooked freekeh (quinoa, farro, brown rice, or another grain can be substituted)
  • ½ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
  • 1 roma tomato, seeds removed, diced (any type of tomato can be used)
  • ½ cup diced jicama
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • ¼ cup diced red bell peppers
  • ½ cup fresh sweet corn (canned or frozen corn can be substituted)
  • Cilantro to taste

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together enchilada sauce and Greek yogurt until combined.
  • Place 3 tablespoons of dressing in the bottom of a 1 quart mason jar. Follow with your favorite grain.
  • Follow with remaining ingredients, creating beautiful layers. Place in fridge until ready to serve, or up to 3 to 4 days depending on freshness of the produce used.
  • When ready to serve, pour into a bowl and mix to combine all ingredients.

Notes

  • This is a very flexible recipe. If you can’t find all the vegetables, it will still be great. I recommend cabbage, red or green, for its terrific crunch. Lettuce tends to get soft.
  • Meal prep this salad when you have extra time. The salad keeps great in the fridge.
  • You don’t have to make this salad in a jar. Just put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix it up.

Nutrition

Serving: 1jar salad, Calories: 704kcal, Carbohydrates: 114g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 1034mg, Potassium: 1043mg, Fiber: 23g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin A: 3243IU, Vitamin C: 130mg, Calcium: 159mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
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4.80 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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28 Comments

  1. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says:

    What a GORGEOUS salad and I’m all about Southwestern flavors! :)

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Me too! Thanks Jennifer!

  2. naomi says:

    I love the idea of this salad packed and ready to go like this!!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      It’s perfect for meal prep!

  3. gerry speirs says:

    Awesome idea and love the colors!!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Aren’t the colors beautiful? Thanks Gerry!

  4. Aimee@ShugarySweets says:

    Oh my gosh I love everything about this salad :)

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Thanks Aimee!

  5. Liz Berg says:

    LOVE this easy dressing AND amazing salad!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Thanks Liz!

  6. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says:

    I am all in for this gorgeous salad! Two ingredient dressing – yes, please!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I’m all for easy salad dressings!

  7. Lisa @ Wine & Glue says:

    This is such a genius idea!  And I LOVE Old El Paso enchilada sauce, I have some in my pantry right now!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Perfect!

  8. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says:

    I lovelovelove southwestern salads! The fact that this is in a mason jar? EVEN BETTER!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Me too! Thanks Taylor!

  9. denise says:

    looks delicious

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Thank you!

  10. cookbook queen says:

    I’ve been trying to do better about eating healthy lunches (with REAL food!) and this is definitely going on the list! Love that I can prep it ahead.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I hope you love it!