There is a little health food restaurant in my husband’s hometown in Canada that we always hit up when we’re visiting. The food is exactly like what I’d make at home—and I think that’s why I like it. When you’re traveling, it’s fun to get wrapped up in the novelty of fancy restaurants and rich food, but sometimes it’s also nice to feel a little touch of home—and that’s what I get from this particular restaurant.
The first time we went there, I ordered their Living Salad for one reason—it had sprouted lentils in it! I had never seen a restaurant serving sprouted lentils, and as much as I love sprouting, you know it was love at first bite. Once we got home, I headed to my kitchen to recreate my own version of their Living Salad, and this Sesame Chickpea Mason Jar Salad was born. This salad is bright, flavorful, and packed full of nourishing ingredients like sprouted lentils, chickpeas, and crisp veggies.
What is a salad in a jar?
Salads in a jar are pre-assembled fresh salads that you can stash in your fridge until lunchtime. They are super simple to meal prep, and since the flavor varieties are endless, you’ll never get bored. If you want to know more, we have a comprehensive post with all the information you need to build a perfect mason jar salad.
Hold on, I don’t want to eat limp, soggy greens!
And you won’t have to, if you pack the layers in the right order. To keep this Sesame-Chickpea Salad in a Jar fresh and crisp, be sure to keep the wet ingredients (the dressing, cucumbers, and peppers!) far away from the lettuce. The lentils, sunflower seeds, and parsley will form a buffer of sorts to keep the romaine dry. Just don’t tilt the jar until it is time to eat, and you’ll be all set!
How long will this chickpea mason jar salad last?
This Sesame Chickpea Salad in a Jar will last upwards of a week, so you can prep them on the weekend, and still have salads by Friday.
Talk to me about this sesame-lemon salad dressing?
This sesame-flavored salad dressing is a riff off the dressing I use for my Sesame Soba Noodles, and it is so good, you’ll find uses for it all over the kitchen! I dip falafel in it. I use it on noodles. And, of course, I drizzle it on all kinds of salads!
It does require you to pick up some tahini—which is sesame seed paste (think peanut butter, but made with sesame seeds). Most supermarkets carry it either with their nut butters or in the Mediterranean foods section.
What should I serve it with?
This salad is an excellent pair to any other Mediterranean flavors. I like to serve it with my Baked Falafel Lettuce Wraps for a filling and nourishing meal prep lunch! Enjoy.
Sesame Chickpea Mason Jar Salad
This nourishing Sesame Chickpea Mason Jar Salad is packed with bright and rich Mediterranean flavors. The Sesame-Lemon Dressing is so good, you’ll find all kinds of uses for it!
Ingredients
For the Sesame-Lemon Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 clove garlic, minced
For the Salad:
- 1 wide-mouth pint and a half jar
- 3 tablespoons Sesame-Lemon Dressing
- 1/2 cup chickpeas
- 1/3 cup sliced red or orange bell pepper
- 1/3 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1/3 cup sprouted lentils
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1-2 cups chopped romaine
Instructions
- To make the dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Close the lid, and then shake to combine.
- To make the salad, layer the salad ingredients in the order listed into the jar, packing in as much romaine as you need to create a tight pack. Cover the jar, and place it in the fridge for up to a week.
- To eat, dump the entire contents of the jar into a bowl, toss, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 24 ouncesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 760Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1902mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 18gSugar: 32gProtein: 22g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
