Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar (Meal Prep)

I love when the warmer weather hits for many reasons, but I particularly love how it gets me in the mood for salad jar meal preps. This type of meal prep is so easy, quick and a great way to enjoy the fresh produce of the season. This Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar is packed full of flavour and loaded with so many goodies that will keep you fuelled for the rest of your day.

Salad Preparation

Salad jar meal preps are so easy because they mainly require chopping, blending and sauteing. They are quick leaving you lots of time to enjoy the summer weather. First, you’ll want to chop your veggies. For this Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar, I used:

• Grape tomatoes
• Yellow pepper
• Red onion
• Cucumber
• Corn

Next you’ll want saute your chickpeas in a BBQ sauce and let it simmer to thicken. Once it becomes thick, remove it from heat and let it cool. You never want to add something hot to your salad jar containers because it will just add moisture to the jars, making the lettuce soggy. The layers are super crucial to avoid this.

While the BBQ chickpeas are cooling, you can make the dressing. Add the ingredients to a blender and mix until combined.

Once you have everything prepped, you’re ready to layer the salad jars for your meal prep!

The Art of Salad Jar – Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea

Salad jar layers are not just aesthetic, they are functional. The order of each layer is crucial and can determine whether your meal prep will be a soggy mess or a fresh delight.

There is a general rule of thumb when making a salad jar salad. The sauce ALWAYS goes on the bottom and the lettuce ALWAYS goes on the top. But let’s break down the layers of this Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar.

Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Layers:

1. Herby Ranch Dressing: This creamy dressing is packed full of delicious herbs and spices making each bite a saucy treat that perfectly compliments the BBQ chickpeas.

2. Grape tomatoes: Enhance flavour and colour to your salad by tossing in vibrant grape tomatoes, adding a burst of freshness to every bite.

3. Yellow Pepper: Add a vibrant sweetness of diced yellow bell peppers, infusing each forkful with a delightful crunch and sunny flavour. They are also rich in vitamins A & C.

4. Red Onion: Bring a zesty kick to your salad with the addition of diced red onion, imparting a bold flavour and a satisfying crunch to every bite. Coworkers beware!

5. Cucumber: Diced cucumber always adds a delicious juicy, crunchy and freshness to any salad. Perfectly hydrating for those hot summer days too!

6. Corn: Adding corn is a fun way to add a nice, sweet, crunchy texture and a burst of summer flavour to every mouthwatering bite.

7. BBQ Chickpeas: These add a delightful savoury element to this salad while lending a smoky, protein-packed punch.

8. Lettuce/Micro-greens: Eating hearty leafy greens and micro-greens is a great way to boost your nutrient consumption while also allowing you to stay refreshed and hydrated with a light and tasty meal.

Tip to avoid soggy lettuce.

When making a meal prep, ensuring you have fresh lettuce can be tricky. But there is a whole system within the salad jar process that works to avoid the soggy salad blues.

You’ll always want your sauce at the very bottom of your jar. Next, you’ll want to layer your veggies. I’d add any veggies that you’re fine with soaking up/marinating in the dressing. Then continue layering your veggies, adding your BBQ chickpeas after.  Last but not least, the lettuce. You’ll want this to be at the tippy top of your jars so that you can avoid that soggy lettuce texture.

Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar Meal Prep

1. Dressing/Sauce
2. Veggies (firstly ones you don’t mind sitting in sauce)
3. BBQ Chickpeas
4. Lettuce/Micro-greens

Layered for Success: Tips for the Perfect Salad Jar Prep

Make sure your veggies are dried out. After you finish cutting all of your veggies, let them sit while you make your dressing. Be sure to move them to a bowl or plate that is dry. Don’t leave them sitting on a cutting board marinating in their juices.  If you’d like to take it a step further to ensure you have the crispiest of lettuce, you can always place a cloth or paper towel on the plate before putting your veggies on. It will help with a little extra absorption.

Now I’ll be honest, I’ve forgotten to test my patience and added the veggies in without letting them fully dry before layering them so here’s what I did. I added a little slice of paper towel to each drawer and left them in the fridge. This helped absorb any extra moisture sitting in the jars before adding my lettuce.

Why Mason Jars?

I use large mason jars because they hold a lot so you can pack in all the veggies and fillings your heart desires. This helps to ensure you have a nice filling meal. And, the airtight seal keeps your salad fresh longer, making this veggie-packed meal a perfect option for meal prep or a quick and healthy lunch, whether you work from home or at a workplace.

All you have to do is dump the contents in a large bowl, mix, and dig in!

This Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar meal prep is one of those perfect summer lunches that is not only delicious but will keep you full too. Salad jars are fresh, and nutritious, and certainly make for a visually appealing meal prep option.

If you’re looking for more refreshing salad recipes like this, check these out!

I hope you enjoy this recipe for my Herby Ranch & BBQ Chickpea Salad Jar meal prep! If you make it, please leave a comment below (it helps others to find the recipe). As always, please feel free to share your creations with me! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest so that I can see your yummy dishes!

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