Posted by Brittany Woolley on 7/17/2019 to Recipes
Updated: September 2026

This is the make-ahead lunch that changed our workweek. Five minutes of layering on Sunday night gives you four days of grab-and-go salads that stay crisp, bright, and satisfying — not a wilted, sad desk salad in the bunch. The trick is layering: dressing at the bottom, sturdy stuff in the middle, delicate greens on top so nothing gets soggy.

The apple is what turns this into a salad you actually look forward to. We reach for Honeycrisp because it stays crunchy for days even when it's touching dressing — nothing worse than a mealy apple in your salad. Cortland is another great pick since it barely browns. Order fresh from our orchard by clicking here.

Ingredients (per jar, makes 1 quart)

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinaigrette
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (or an extra 1/2 cup greens for lighter jars)
  • 1/2 cup Honeycrisp apple, chopped
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta, blue cheese, or goat cheese
  • 2 cups mixed greens or baby spinach

Quick Apple Cider Vinaigrette (makes 4 servings)

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Farm Fresh Honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients in a jar until emulsified.
  2. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until fragrant.
  3. In a wide-mouth 1-quart mason jar, pour the dressing in the bottom.
  4. Layer in order (sturdy to delicate): quinoa first, then apple, walnuts, and cheese.
  5. Top with the mixed greens, packing loosely so they don't get crushed.
  6. Seal and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  7. When ready to eat: shake vigorously, then either eat straight from the jar or empty into a bowl and toss.

Tips & Variations

  • Prep for the whole week. Make 4 jars Sunday night, and lunches all week are handled.
  • Add protein. A layer of shredded rotisserie chicken, chickpeas, or hard-boiled egg turns it into a full meal.
  • Sub grains. Farro, wild rice, or lentils work beautifully in place of quinoa.
  • Sub nuts. Toasted pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds all work.
  • Add dried fruit. A tablespoon of dried cranberries or golden raisins layered next to the cheese is a lovely sweet note.

Made this? Send us a photo — we'll send you a coupon for 20% off your next order. Comment below or email [email protected]. Enjoy!