Mason Jar Meal Ideas

Mason jars have been popular for decades, and National Mason Jar Day, on November 30th,  celebrates the invention of the mason jar and its versatility. Mason jars were originally used to can and pickle fruits and vegetables. Nowadays, mason jars provide a convenient method to store and carry a variety of foods, which could be especially helpful for people who have a busy lifestyle. Here are some nutritious and fun recipes to make meals or drinks using mason jars:

Overnight Oats:

Chocolate Peanut Butter:

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) large-flake oats
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) cocoa
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) dried dates, chopped
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
• 1 tsp (5mL) vanilla extract

Banana Coconut:

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) large-flake oats
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) milk
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) coconut yogurt
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Pace all the ingredients in a jar
2. Use a spoon/fork to mix all the ingredients
3. Refrigerate for 8 hours
4. Keeps up to 3 days in the fridge

Salad On the Go:

Green Apple and Brie:

Salad dressing:

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) source cream
• 1 tsp (5 mL) balsamic vinegar
• 1 pinch of garlic powder

Salad toppings:

• 1/2 green apple, diced
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) cubed brie
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) cooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped spinach 

Instructions:

• Place all the ingredients in a jar in the following order:
• Salad dressing
• Firm fruit and vegetable (e.g., green apple, dried cranberry)
• Brie, pumpkin seeds
• Grains and greens (e.g., quinoa, spinach)

Breakfast Parfaits:

Pumpkin Spice:

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) pumpkin puree
• 1 pinch of cinnamon
• 1 pinch of nutmeg
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) diced apple
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) granola
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped pecans

Instructions:

• Place all the ingredients in a jar in the following order:
• Combine the yogurt, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mix well
• Diced apple
• Granola
• Chopped pecans