If you crave a salad that makes you *feel good*—brimming with color, texture, crunch, and pure flavor magic—this Seriously Delicious Detox Salad will win you over bite after bite. It’s loaded with vibrant veggies, toasty almonds, creamy avocado, and a zippy carrot-ginger dressing that ties it all together. It’s not just a “healthy” salad, it’s the one you’ll genuinely look forward to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievable Crunch: Every forkful is bursting with freshly chopped kale, broccoli, cabbage, and almonds for a satisfyingly crisp bite.
- Bright & Flavor-Packed Dressing: The homemade carrot-ginger dressing is creamy, tangy, and just sweet enough, elevating all those hearty greens.
- Nutrient-Rich & Energizing: Packed to the brim with nourishing veggies and healthy fats, you’ll feel fantastic after eating it—not heavy or sluggish.
- Meal Prep Marvel: This Seriously Delicious Detox Salad holds up beautifully, making it perfect for lunches on the go or healthy dinners all week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Seriously Delicious Detox Salad is chosen for color, texture, and the pure joy it brings to your plate. You don’t need anything fancy—just real, fresh produce and a few pantry favorites. Here’s how each one plays its part:
- Kale: Finely chopped and massaged, kale gives the salad body, chew, and deep green nutrition.
- Broccoli florets: Adds crunchy sweetness and is a classic superfood for a reason.
- Red cabbage: Vibrant and peppery, it brings color and a wonderful crunch.
- Shredded carrots: For extra crunch and a subtle sweetness that balances the salad.
- Fresh cilantro leaves: Lively and herbal, cilantro makes every bite pop (use parsley if you’re not a fan).
- Toasted slivered almonds: Roasty and nutty for irresistible texture and healthy fats.
- Green onions: Gentle onion flavor without overwhelming the salad.
- Avocado: Diced avocado gives creamy pockets and satisfying richness.
- Carrot-Ginger Dressing: The bright, zesty, sweet-savory topper (see below for ingredients) that pulls it all together.
- For the Carrot-Ginger Dressing:
- Large carrot: The star ingredient for sweetness and color.
- Rice wine vinegar: A gentle tang to balance out the sweetness.
- Avocado oil or olive oil: Lends creamy richness—use your favorite mild oil.
- Fresh ginger: For a warm, zippy kick and digestive perks.
- Honey: Sweetens and blends beautifully with ginger.
- White (shiro) miso: Adds a subtle, savory depth and a little protein.
- Toasted sesame oil: Just a hint for amazing aroma.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: To taste—so every flavor shines.
Variations
The Seriously Delicious Detox Salad is endlessly customizable! Don’t hesitate to make it your own; you can mix and match veggies, play with the nuts, and tailor the flavors based on your cravings or what you have on hand.
- Swap Out the Greens: Try finely shredded Brussels sprouts, baby spinach, or even a mix of spring greens if kale isn’t your favorite.
- Change Up the Nuts: Roasted pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or pecans all work beautifully in place of almonds.
- Add Protein: Toss in cooked quinoa, shredded rotisserie chicken, tofu, or chickpeas to transform this salad into a hearty meal.
- Dress It Differently: Try a lemon-tahini vinaigrette or a spicy peanut sauce for a different flavor adventure.
How to Make Seriously Delicious Detox Salad
Step 1: Prep and Chop Your Veggies
Start by finely chopping your kale, broccoli, red cabbage, and carrots. The finer you chop, the better the texture—use a food processor for speedy and super-even results, or grab your sharpest knife and chop away by hand. Massage the kale with your fingers for a minute to soften it up, which makes it tender and so much tastier.
Step 2: Toast the Almonds
Gently toast your slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2-4 minutes until they’re fragrant and golden brown. This quick step adds so much nutty flavor and makes every bite extra special—just don’t walk away, as nuts can burn quickly!
Step 3: Blitz the Carrot-Ginger Dressing
Pop all the dressing ingredients—carrot, vinegar, oil, ginger, honey, miso, sesame oil, and seasonings—into a blender or food processor. Blend until totally smooth and bright orange. Taste and adjust sweetener or salt to your liking. The aroma alone will have you swooning!
Step 4: Toss and Serve
In a large bowl, combine the chopped veggies, cilantro, toasted almonds, green onions, and diced avocado. Drizzle over your desired amount of carrot-ginger dressing and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve right away for maximum crunch, or keep the veggies and dressing separate if you’re saving some for later.
Pro Tips for Making Seriously Delicious Detox Salad
- Super-Fine Chopping: For extra “chopped salad” vibes, use the food processor in *batches* so each veggie gets evenly bite-sized—your salad will taste gourmet!
- Dressing Double Duty: Make a double batch of the carrot-ginger dressing—it tastes incredible on grain bowls, wraps, and as a dip for raw veggies, too.
- Avocado Last: Dice and add avocado right before serving to keep those gorgeous green cubes from browning.
- Mixing Smarts: If meal-prepping, store the chopped veggies and toasted almonds separately, then toss everything with dressing and avocado when ready to eat for optimal crunch and creaminess.
How to Serve Seriously Delicious Detox Salad
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra toasted almonds, a few sesame seeds, or a handful of fresh chopped herbs on top to make this salad even more eye-catching—and toss on a few microgreens for a chef’s kiss finish if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
This salad loves simple sides! Try it with a cup of miso soup, grilled salmon, or a slice of hearty whole-grain bread. Since the Seriously Delicious Detox Salad is light but filling, it compliments almost any main course without stealing the show.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in wide, shallow bowls for a “chopped salad” look, or layer the salad in mason jars (dressing on the bottom!) for a fun grab-and-go lunch. Try scooping the salad into crisp lettuce cups for party-ready detox “tacos”—so playful and fresh!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of the Seriously Delicious Detox Salad (without dressing) stay crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Simply keep the carrot-ginger dressing and avocado separate and toss together when you’re ready to eat for best flavor and texture.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this salad, since the fresh veggies and avocado will lose their crunch and turn mushy once thawed. For best results, enjoy your salad fresh, or prep just the chopped veggies in advance to save time later.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this salad—it’s truly at its best served chilled or at room temperature! To revive the salad on day two, splash on a little extra dressing and gently toss to freshen everything up before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make the Seriously Delicious Detox Salad ahead of time?
Yes! You can chop all the veggies and toast the almonds in advance, then store them separately in the fridge. Just keep the avocado and dressing aside until right before serving—this keeps everything colorful, fresh, and perfectly crisp.
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What can I use instead of miso in the dressing?
If you don’t have miso, try a teaspoon of soy sauce or tamari for the umami factor. The dressing will still be bright and flavorful!
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How can I make this salad nut-free?
For a nut-free version, simply swap the slivered almonds for toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds. You’ll get all the crunch without any nuts!
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Is this salad vegan?
The Seriously Delicious Detox Salad is easily made vegan by replacing honey with maple syrup or agave and ensuring the miso is vegan-friendly. It’s fresh, satisfying, and totally plant-based!
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Seriously Delicious Detox Salad, I promise it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. Every bite feels like a treat, not a chore—and your body will thank you for it! I hope you’ll give it a whirl (and maybe even put your own spin on it). Let this salad brighten up your week and bring a burst of nourishing color to your table!
Print
Seriously Delicious Detox Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Detox
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Seriously Delicious Detox Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that is perfect for a healthy meal option. Packed with nutrient-dense ingredients and tossed in a flavorful Carrot Ginger Dressing, this salad is both satisfying and nourishing.
Ingredients
Detox Salad Ingredients:
- 3 cups finely-chopped kale leaves
- 2 cups finely-chopped broccoli florets
- 2 cups finely-chopped red cabbage
- 1 cup matchstick (shredded) carrots
- 1 cup roughly-chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1/3 cup thinly-sliced green onions
- 1 avocado, peeled pitted and diced
Carrot-Ginger Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 large carrot, peeled and roughly-chopped
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil (or any mild-flavored cooking oil)
- 1 tablespoon finely-chopped fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey (or your desired sweetener)
- 1 tablespoon white (shiro) miso
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To Make The Salad: Add all ingredients together in a large bowl, and toss to combine. Serve immediately. (Or if you are not going to serve the entire salad in one setting, the salad can be mixed without the dressing and refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 2 days with the dressing refrigerated separately in another sealed container.)
- To Make The Carrot-Ginger Dressing: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor, and pulse until completely smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and/or add extra honey if you’d like a sweeter dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- I recommend chopping the salad ingredients by adding each to a food processor and pulsing until chopped. Or, you’re also more than welcome to chop them by hand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
