Certified nutritionist and fitness expert, Nickie Carrigan, shares her recipe for Tropical Quinoa Mason Jar Salad – a Monday Night Meal that is not only convenient, but healthy too!

Nickie is the owner of The Warehouse in Rosemount.  Click here and enter TCL2024 at checkout and get 1 month of our Platinum Unlimited membership for $50 (that’s $87 off!) through June 30th. 

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked quinoa
1 1/2 cups black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups diced mango
1 1/2 cups diced pineapple
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped cucumber
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 avocados, diced
3/4 cup chopped red onion
6 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
12 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, kale)

Dressing:

3/4 cup lime juice
6 tbsp olive oil
6 tsp honey or agave syrup
6 tsp apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey (or agave syrup), apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
2. Layer the salad in the mason jars:
• Bottom layer: Divide the dressing evenly among the 6 jars.
• Second layer: Add 1/4 cup black beans to each jar.
• Third layer: Add 1/2 cup cooked quinoa to each jar.
• Fourth layer: Add 1/4 cup diced mango to each jar.
• Fifth layer: Add 1/4 cup diced pineapple to each jar.
• Sixth layer: Add 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper to each jar.
• Seventh layer: Add 1/4 cup chopped cucumber to each jar.
• Eighth layer: Add 1/4 cup shredded carrots to each jar.
• Ninth layer: Add 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes to each jar.
• Tenth layer: Add 1/4 avocado, diced, to each jar (I usually wait and just cut a fresh avocado before I eat the salad.)
• Eleventh layer: Add 2 tbsp chopped red onion to each jar.
• Twelfth layer: Add 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro to each jar.
• Top layer: Add 2 cups mixed greens to each jar.
3. Seal the jars: Close each mason jar tightly with a lid. Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
4. To serve: When you’re ready to enjoy your salad, pour into a bowl or eat directly from the jar.