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Home Meal Type Salad
5
/5
15 minutes

Arugula and Watermelon Salad in a Jar

Gluten Free Gluten Free Low Carb Low Carb Vegetarian Vegetarian
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard19 Comments
Posted: 7/8/15 Updated: 8/28/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Arugula and watermelon salad in a jar is the perfect picnic food! Layering the salad means it will be fresher when you eat it and makes it perfectly portable.

Jar salads have become a real staple in my meal prep routine. From chickpea barley and butternut squash jar salads to southwestern sweet potato lentil salads, I love that layering in jars can help extend the life of certain ingredients.

two Arugula and Watermelon Salads in jars on cutting board

This arugula and watermelon salad in a jar is a great way to prep watermelon salad ahead. If you've ever had a watermelon salad, you know: they don't keep for very long once tossed together, maybe 30 minutes tops.

By layering them in a jar, we keep the delicate arugula greens away from the wet vinaigrette and watermelon. It's the perfect solution for having watermelon salad on the go!

Reasons you’ll ♡ this watermelon salad in a jar

  • they taste delicious with sweet watermelon, salty feta cheese, peppery arugula and a tangy vinaigrette
  • by layering in jars they are portable and keep fresher
  • they are fresh, healthy, and perfect for summer

salad dressing in bottom of mason jar

Storing salads in mason jars

Why do we bother storing salad in a jar? Well for one thing, they look kinda pretty that way, but there's an actual reason for storing them in jars: the layering! By placing our vinaigrette at the bottom of the jar, and layering delicate greens at the top, we can keep them fresh for longer.

These watermelon mason jar salads have the vinaigrette and watermelon at the bottom of the jar, layering the feta cheese, then the more delicate greens: arugula and mint.

Do we eat the salad out of the jar?

You can certainly eat your salad out of the jar, but many people will choose to shake their salad out of the jar into a clean bowl. This way, the vinaigrette evenly coats all the salad ingredients as you pour it out.

If you choose to eat your salad out of the jar, you will want to pick a larger jar like a 1 quart jar. To serve, shake everything all up, and enjoy!

side angle view of Arugula and Watermelon Salad in a Jar

Recipe tips

  • for this recipe, I've used 1 pint jars, though if you plan to eat right from the jar, use a 1 quart jar
  • be sure to keep the arugula at the top of the jar to keep it away from the vinaigrette
  • this salad keeps for up to 24 hours in a jar; while this isn't as long as some salads, it's far better than a 'mixed up' watermelon salad
  • since it keeps for 24 hours, it works well as a 1-day work lunch or for a picnic
  • to make this a meal, add some cooked chicken or ½ cup of chickpeas to the salad
  • the almonds will not stay crunchy in this salad, so if you'd like that crunch, keep them separate until just before serving

Variations

You could really get creative with this salad and swap out some ingredients, or add others in. Here are some ideas:

  • swap arugula for spinach or romaine lettuce
  • add in cucumber and radish for a fresh crunch
  • swap the white wine vinaigrette for a balsamic vinaigrette or balsamic reduction
  • swap the watermelon for honeydew melon or strawberries
  • swap mint for cilantro or fresh basil

close up view of Arugula and Watermelon Salad in a Jar

More salad recipes:

  • Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta + Mint
  • Strawberry Steak Salad
  • Healthy Taco Salad
  • Southwestern Sweet Potato Wild Rice Salad
  • Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

two mason jars with watermelon feta and arugula salad

Arugula and Watermelon Salad in a Jar

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Print Rate
Arugula and watermelon salad in a jar is the perfect picnic food! Layering the salad means it will be fresher when you eat it and makes it perfectly portable.
4

Ingredients

Vinaigrette (enough for 4 salads)

  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 4 teaspoons sugar

Salad (per salad)

  • 1 cup seedless watermelon (cut into ½ inch cubes)
  • 1 tablespoon feta cheese (crumbled)
  • 1 tablespoon almonds (sliced)
  • 1 teaspoon mint (torn)
  • 1 cup arugula (or as much as will fit)

Instructions 

  • Shake together all vinaigrette ingredients.
  • Divide dressing up: 2 tablespoon in the bottom of each mason jar.
  • Add the salad ingredients to 1-pint mason jars in the following order: watermelon, feta, almonds, mind, arugula.
  • To serve: shake all ingredients out into a bowl and enjoy immediately.

Tips:

Storage
This salad kept for 24 hours in the fridge, although it was best enjoyed the day it was prepared.
 
Recipe tips
  • if you plan to eat out of the jar, use a 1 quart jar, and shake it all up just before serving
  • to make this a meal, add some cooked chicken or ½ cup of chickpeas to the salad
  • the almonds will not stay crunchy in this salad, so if you’d like that crunch, keep them separate until just before serving

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1jar, Calories: 269kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 22g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 107mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 16g
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Recipe Rating




  1. Olivia - Primavera Ktichen says

    Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

    5 stars
    I love this salad! How fun! So many great flavors!!
    ps: good luck with the thesis writing 😉

    Reply
  2. Ashley says

    Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

    Good luck with the thesis writing!! This salad is so pretty! I can never turn down a good watermelon salad in the summer!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Thanks, Ashley! I have NOT eaten my quota of watermelon yet, gotta get on that 🙂

      Reply
  3. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, congrats on writing your thesis! You are such a smarty! I hope it goes so well Denise. I know you'll do great. And before you know it, your thesis baby will be here! haha! I should send you lots of snacks to keep you going : ) I love this salad! So many great flavors. And ps- these pictures are particularly beautiful my friend.

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Hehe we are expecting our babies around the same time 😉 Except you are having a real deal baby and get to eat lots of ice cream! Thanks, Natalie!

      Reply
  4. Annie @Maebells says

    Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

    5 stars
    You can get one of those little $4 ziplock vacuum pumps and make all your salads for the week and then seal them and they stay fresh! Did you know that? It is super handy, I do it with fruit and salad and then I can just grab one for lunch or dinner! And you never have to throw out wilted salad! 🙂 I am so trying these for my lunches next week! They look spectacular!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      That's such a great idea, Annie! Sounds like I need to get a vacuum pump thingy! You are always so organized!

      Reply
  5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

    I love watermelon salads!!! love! and love the mason jar!! Good luck with you thesis!! Hoping your "pregnancy" goes smoothly and quick and you are able to work productively! 😛 You can do it!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Ha ha, thanks, Alice!

      Reply
  6. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

    Yay, that's so exciting! Good luck on the thesis, Denise!
    Love this mason jar salad! Watermelon just screams summer and it sounds fantastic with the mint, feta and arugula!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Thanks, Kelly!

      Reply
  7. Emily Brungard says

    Posted on 7/8/15 at Posted on 7/8/15

    Love the colors in the salad! Watermelon is perfect this time of year. Good luck on the thesis writing!
    Emily

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Thanks so much, Emily! I definitely need to be eating more watermelon 😉

      Reply
  8. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    Posted on 7/8/15 at Posted on 7/8/15

    I love arugula! Such a fun idea to put the salad in the mason jar- and looks great, too!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      I haven't really eaten much arugula until this summer. I love its peppery flavor, so good! Thanks, Medha!

      Reply
  9. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    Posted on 7/8/15 at Posted on 7/8/15

    Salad in a jar is totally one of my favorites of the "trends" going around! I mean, you totally nailed these!! Watermelon, feta, and arugula is seriously the perfect combo for these pretty salads!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Ha ha, thanks, Sarah! I didn't 'get' the trend until I tried it. I like it!

      Reply
  10. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Posted on 7/8/15 at Posted on 7/8/15

    That's so exciting that you're starting your thesis, Denise! Good luck! And this mason jar salad is pretty much a genius idea. I love how the dressing is at the bottom so that when you pour it into a bowl, it's ready to eat! What a delicious combination, too!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 7/9/15 at Posted on 7/9/15

      Thanks so much, Gayle 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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