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Thai Quinoa Mason Jar Salads

Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Yield
4 servings
Level
medium
Cuisine
Southeast Asian
Thai Quinoa Mason Jar Salads

Make-ahead mason jar salads layered with cooked quinoa, edamame, shredded vegetables, and cashews dressed in a sesame-ginger vinaigrette. Prepare multiple jars for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. The dressing keeps ingredients fresh and flavors meld as salads sit in the refrigerator.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • 1 cup dry quinoa, cooked, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 10oz bag shredded red cabbage, shredded
  • 1 10-12oz bag frozen shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions
    chickpeas1:1legumevegansoy-free

    similar protein and texture

    Full guide →
  • 1 ½ cups shredded carrots, shredded
  • 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup cashews, rough chopped
    almonds1:1tree nutsvegan

    neutral flavor alternative

    Full guide →
  • 4 quart-sized mason jars, with lids
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
    tamari1:1gluten-freegluten-freesoy-free

    if avoiding wheat

    Full guide →
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
    apple cider vinegar1:1

    similar acidity

    Full guide →
  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey
    maple syrup1:1vegan

    source suggests for vegan adaptation

    Full guide →
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
    peanut oil0.5:1adds peanuts

    milder nutty flavor

    Full guide →
  • ½ large lime, juiced
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Method

8 steps
  1. 1

    Cook quinoa according to package directions.

  2. 2

    Cook edamame according to package directions.

  3. 3

    Chop bell peppers thinly, shred carrots, and rough chop cashews.

  4. 4

    In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, water, rice wine vinegar, honey, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, lime juice, ground ginger, and garlic powder.

  5. 5

    Divide dressing evenly among mason jars.

  6. 6

    Layer edamame, quinoa, bell pepper, carrots, cabbage, and cashews into each jar in that order.

  7. 7

    Cover with lids and refrigerate until ready to eat.

  8. 8

    When serving, dump jar contents into a bowl, toss with a fork, season with salt and pepper as desired, and eat.

Tips

Tip 1

Layer dressing at the bottom of the jar first to keep other ingredients fresh and prevent wilting.

Tip 2

Prepare dressing in advance and store separately for up to one week.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate in covered mason jars for up to 5 days. Dressing keeps ingredients crisp.

Make Ahead

Prepare dressing and chop vegetables 1-2 days in advance. Assemble jars up to 5 days before eating.

Serve With

Dump jar into a bowl, toss gently with a fork, season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not add dressing after other ingredients to avoid soggy salad.

Watch

Do not skip toasting sesame oil for proper depth of flavor.

Substitutions

Vegan Options

honey→
maple syrup1:1vegan

source suggests for vegan adaptation

Full guide →
cashews→
almonds1:1tree nutsvegan

neutral flavor alternative

Full guide →
edamame→
chickpeas1:1legumevegansoy-free

similar protein and texture

Full guide →

Gluten-Free Swaps

soy sauce→
tamari1:1gluten-freegluten-freesoy-free

if avoiding wheat

Full guide →

General Alternatives

rice wine vinegar→
apple cider vinegar1:1

similar acidity

Full guide →
sesame oil→
peanut oil0.5:1adds peanuts

milder nutty flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →