7 Ways to Unlock the Magic of the Mason Jar in Your Kitchen

7 Ways to Unlock the Magic of the Mason Jar in Your Kitchen

When’s the last time you used a Mason jar?

Rifle through your pantry drawers or tupperware collection and you’re bound to find them. Whether you have just the jar or are able to discover the metal rings and lids to go with them, these kitchen staples go beyond canning. 

Created by John L Mason way back to the 1800s, these jars have soared in popularity in their multi-purpose design and strength to withstand both hot and cold. While they’re most often thought of in preserving fruits and vegetables through canning or pickling, that’s just the start. 

From storage to mixing to marinating to cooking, the Mason jar can do it all. There are even entire cookbooks dedicated to the use and celebration of these glass jars of various sizes.

Whether you find yourself pickling fresh veggies from the garden each summer or can’t quite recall what a brine is, the Mason jar offers much more. 

 

And that’s just in the kitchen. Mason jars are also a popular storage and crafting material you can bring to your organization and interior decorating. 

7 Ways You Can Use Mason Jars in Your Kitchen  

We can’t overlook this magic of these versatile Mason jars. Put those jars to good use with these easy ways to incorporate them into your meal prep, storage, and cooking. 

1. Salad Dressings 

One of our favorite ways to make our salad dressings is with the help of a Mason jar. Rather than dirtying up different bowls and whisks and spatulas and spoons, the Mason jar is an all-in-one bowl and stirrer. Keep your vinaigrette simple with just combining your favorite extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a jar. While the suggested ratio is three parts oil to one part vinegar, you can adjust that amount based on your preferences. 

Make a creamier dressing with emulsifiers like mustard, mayonnaise or honey that help to keep the oil and vinegar together. Whipping up your own dressing is quick, easy, and eliminates those extra additives and preservatives found in commercial dressings. 

Some of our favorite combinations include: 

2. Overnight Oats 

Get a head start on your morning routine by having your breakfast ready to go with the help of a Mason jar. The jar’s various sizes and ease of transportation make it easy to prep ahead of time and grab your breakfast as you’re heading out the door. With a foundation of just old fashioned oats and milk, you can create a protein-packed meal to fuel your morning. 

While the typical ratio is about ¾ cup milk for ½ cup of oats, that may change based on what other ingredients you add and your own preference for creamier or chunkier oats.

Explore other fun add-ins like fruits, brown sugar, yogurt, almonds, chia seeds, peanut butter and much more. You can even try adding these balsamic berries on top in the morning. 

3. Layered Desserts

Elevate the presentation of your desserts with the help of glass Mason jars. The clear glass allows you to layer different colors and textures in your dessert for a delightful visual and tasty experience. 

Keep in mind that while Mason jars can withstand high temperatures, they’re not intended to be used in the oven. If you’re adding a cake or cookie with your dessert, bake it separately and then add into your Mason jar. 

The possibilities of layered desserts are endless. Here are a few of our favorite ideas that both taste and look delicious: 

4. Store Your Ingredients

Add some creativity and decoration to your pantry by storing some of your ingredients in Mason jars. With their variety of sizes from 4 oz quarter pints to 32 oz quarts, you can keep your small and large quantities of commonly used ingredients.

  • Store grains like dry pastas and rice and know exactly how much you have.
  • Use these jars to keep trail mix for a quick and easy snack.
  • Store leftover baking ingredients like chocolate chips, sugars and baking soda.
With the ability to clearly see what you have, you don’t have to be searching through open boxes and ripped bags to find what you need. 

5. Drinking Glass 

Whether you’re looking to drink more water throughout the day or have enough glassware for an outdoor get-together, a Mason jar is there to help. Keep both your cold beverages in it, like an iced coffee or glass of iced tea to enjoy in warm weather. 

Mason jars also make great glasses for mixed drinks that taste delicious and look like they were made by a professional barista. By adding garnishes like sprigs of mint or colorful berries, you can spark some extra brightness in your mixed drinks. 

Here are some fun ideas to try in your Mason jar - of whatever size you need: 

6. Lunch to Go 

Forget those plastic containers that are flimsy and pop open. Pack your lunch like a fresh green salad or a pasta salad with ease and with the right portions. You can easily make your lunch the night before so it’ll be ready to go the next day. Mix in the ingredients you want and add any dressings or sauces right before serving to keep your foods fresh and delicious. 

Recipes like these can fit great in a Mason jar for tomorrow’s lunch: 

7. Canning, of Course 

Mason jars are certainly essential in the canning and pickling process. Slice up your cucumbers, peppers, onions, carrots and anything else you can think to pickle. Create a flavorful brine with sugar and a balsamic vinegar, like 12 Year White, and keep your veggies delicious for weeks. Check out this recipe for pickled beets, a standard ratio you can apply to a lot of other vegetables.

Make it With a Mason Jar 

There’s magic in those Mason jars. Whether you’ve restricted them only to annual canning or have forgotten about them up until now, they can be a staple in your kitchen resources. Try out these great ideas to use Mason jars in your cooking and discover your own ways to put them to use.

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