Easy Mason Jar Meals For The On-The-Go person
Mason jar crafts, ideas, and meal preps became all the rage several years ago and our Facebook and Pinterest feeds were overcrowded with posts and pins about ways to reuse the glass jars. On the go, one container, meals were a big hit with busy stay at home moms and busy working women alike. Many of the recipes can be made the night before saving precious time in the morning.
Skinny Burrito in a Jar
For those who like yummy tasting food, but want to watch what they eat, this is a great recipe. There is also no cooking involved! You can eat it right out of the jar! So Easy!
- 1 cup salsa (no sugar added)
- 1 (15) oz can of black beans, drained
- 1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, non-fat (optional non-fat sour cream)
Directions
Evenly divide each ingredient into 4 (1/2 pint size) canning jars. Add ingredients in this order: 1/4 cup salsa, 1/4 heaping cup black beans, 1/4 cup cheese, and 2 tablespoons yogurt or sour cream.
Refrigerate for up to two days. Eat straight from the jar or add to a whole wheat wrap.
TIP: Try adding 1/4 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice to each jar.
Chicken and Dill Instant Noodles
This sounds like the perfect on the go meal for a cold winter day. It takes minimal work to put together and will make your co-workers jealous when they smell this amazing mason jar meal.
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) high-quality chicken base, such as Better Than Bouillon
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 12 ounces (340g) shredded chicken meat from 1 rotisserie chicken
- 4 small nests rice noodles or precooked ramen or Italian pasta (see note)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup minced fresh dill leaves
Directions
When ready to serve, remove the dill packet and add boiling water to the top of the jar. Seal the jar and let sit 2 minutes. Open jar, stir in dill and serve.
Buffalo Chicken Jar Salad
This sounds like a delicious visit to Buffalo Wild Wings! Yum! Chicken wings in a jar, without the mess! I can’t wait to try this recipe for myself!
- 1/2 c. Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 c. charred corn
- 1/3 c. diced red onion
- 1/4 c. Blue Cheese Crumbles
- 1 lb cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/2 c. buffalo sauce
- 2 c. leafy green lettuce
- 4 pint-sized Mason Jars
Directions
Vegetarian Mason Jar Burrito Bowls
There are meals for everyone. This recipe sounds absolutely delicious and is another one on my list to try. There is no meat whatsoever in it, making it a delicious and just one of many easy mason jar meals.
- 1/2 cup dried rice, white or brown
- 1 medium sweet potato, small diced
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1/2 a lime
- Guacamole
- Lettuce
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the chopped sweet potato with 2 teaspoons olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake sweet potato until fork-tender, 35-40 minutes.
Cook rice according to package directions. Once the rice is finished cooking, stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice.
Assemble burrito bowls: 1/2 cup rice, 1/3 cup black beans, 1/3 cup sweet potato, 2 tablespoons corn, 2 tablespoons salsa, a spoonful of guacamole and a small handful of lettuce. Recipe makes 4 Mason Jar Burrito Bowls.
Chicken Chili
The last of our easy mason jar meals is undoubtedly the one that sounds the best. Chicken chili is a great meal for cold days, or days when you just want a hearty meal. This one does require a little more work than the other meals, but the end result is worth it.
- 2 cups of shredded chicken
- 8 small vine ripe tomatoes (can use plum tomatoes)
- 1 jalapeño
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 1/2 Tbsp of chili powder
- 1 Tbsp of cumin
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans
- 1 15 oz can pinto beans
- 2-2 1/2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable, I used vegetable)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tsp olive oil
Wash and cut the tomatoes in quarters. Scoop the seeds out as much as you can. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet. Wash the jalapeño, seed it and place it on the baking sheet with the tomatoes. Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes and pepper and sprinkle with a little bit of salt. Roast in a 450-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes and pepper begin to char. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a little bit.
Roughly chop the onion. Cook on medium heat in a big soup pot with about 1/3 cup of the broth until the onion begins to soften and soak up the liquid. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt, about 1/8 tsp, and then add the garlic. Cook for about a minute. Add the chili powder and cumin and continue to cook until all the liquid is soaked up. Add the beans, shredded chicken and remaining broth. Let the chili hang out on medium heat while you prepare the tomato puree.
In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers, roasted tomatoes, and jalapeño pepper. Blend just until smooth. Add this mixture to the chili and stir well to combine. When the chili has gotten hot, ladle into bowls and top with cornbread, sour cream, shredded cheese, and scallions.
Easy mason jar meals make hectic mornings a little easier. They often give you very little dishes, but a delicious meal at the same time. Do you have a favorite mason jar meal? Let us know in the comments!
Featured Image Credit: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/g29487810/mason-jar-salads/
