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Detox Salad with Two Dressing Options
Course: Food Prep, PopularServings8
servingsActive time15
minutesCalories75
kcalYield8
cupsLooking for the perfect reset after an indulgent weekend? This vibrant chopped salad is our go-to Sunday meal prep when we need to get back on track. It’s fresh and crunchy, and great with its creamy avocado-lime dressing, a simple balsamic vinaigrette, or whatever sauce you want to throw on it. What we love most is how it fills you up without making you feel full. And as anyone who’s gone on a journey from junk food addiction, you appreciate that the perfectly balanced ingredients that get you to compulsively go back for are rich in nutrients. This salad is the good kind of addicting.
Ingredients
- For the Salad Base
1 head cauliflower
2 cups (200g) kale
1/2 head red cabbage
2 cups (250g) carrots
- Optional Toppings
1/2 cup (75g) red or green onion
1/2 cup (75g) raisins
1/4 cup (35g) sunflower seeds
1/4 cup (4g) fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed
- Dressing Option 1: Avocado Lime
1 whole avocado
1/4 cup (60mL) apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Juice of 1 whole lime
2 tablespoons (12g) fresh ginger
1 whole pitted date
Salt and pepper to taste
- Dressing Option 2: Simple Balsamic
3 parts extra virgin olive oil
1 part balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Preparing the Salad Base
- Cut all vegetables into golf ball-sized pieces (approximately 1.5 inches).
- Working in batches, fill blender 1/3 full with vegetable pieces.
- Pulse at medium speed until vegetables are coarsely chopped, maintaining some texture.
- Transfer chopped vegetables to a large bowl and mix to combine.
- For Serving
- Portion out individual servings of the salad base.
- Add desired amount of chosen dressing to individual portions only.
- Top with raisins and sunflower seeds just before serving.
- To Make the Dressings
- Avocado Lime: Blend all ingredients until smooth
- Simple Balsamic: Whisk ingredients together until well combined
- Storage
- Store undressed salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add toppings just before serving to maintain crunch.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Using a blender for chopping creates perfectly sized pieces quickly and efficiently.
- For efficiency and safety, ensure vegetables are pre-cut small enough to fit through the blender lid plug hole.
- The key to success is not over-processing – maintain some texture in the vegetables.
- The simple balsamic dressing offers a quick alternative while maintaining the salad’s fresh flavors.
- Storage:
-Store undressed salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
-Add toppings just before serving to maintain crunch.
47 responses to “Detox Salad with Two Dressing Options”
Loved your detox salad!! I didn’t have an avocado, so for today’s dressing: blackberries, olive oil, a scoop of blackberry preserve I made, half clove of garlic, and some water. And cranberries on top. I’m going to try the approved dressing when I get off my behind and get a non-dead avocado. I also tried the balsamic. Delicious.
I never would’ve chopped veggies in a blender–this went from “I haven’t had a blender in…forever, this is silly…” to “Game changer” in a couple weeks!
What creative toppings, we’re going to have to try those! Total game-changer, very much agree.
Just made for the first time and got my fussy-eater grandson to taste test. He does not like dressings or dips of any kind so it was straight up with a few raisins. I can happily report he asked for seconds! Thanks for the recipe.
Whenever a picky eater likes one of our recipes it’s extra exciting! Our 4 year old likes it without dressing and just raisins too 🙂
This detox mix is a Magic Shape-Shifter!
I keep a large container of this in the fridge, made every few days.Day 1- salad as shown above
Day 2- Soup base simmered with broth, then add any fancy stuff like beans or tofu or spices
Day 3- Stir-fry! Start with this, add your fav sauce (like a big scoop of chutney or salsa), add last minute crunchies like snap peas or corn and tofu, chickpeas, etc.
My low-profile container made all the difference! All food mysteries solved.
Who would’ve ever guessed that a Vitamix was a NON-foodie’s secret weapon?!Love these shape-shifting modifications! Sounds like nothing goes to waste in your house 🙂
I have owned a Vitamix for many years and just recently got a new one and discovered your site. I have learned so much from you. Now I use the Vitamix several times a day for more than just smoothies. I have made this salad several times and LOVE it! While it is easy to make in the blender, I have found that it is much easier in the food processor attachment. (I never used my old processor because it was too complicated and hard to clean). I love your site and YouTube videos. Thank you.
This one is super easy with the food processor attachment, yes! So glad you’re putting your Vitamix to work!
Loved the consistency of the salad, but ours turned out super bitter. Any suggestions about what we might have done wrong??
Perhaps the lemon and lime peels were left on?
I have the 750 professional is that 64 ounc low profile the same you use to make the salad or is there a better container?
That’s the same one! Great for big recipes like this
Is there an over the counter salad dressing to recommend?
We love to top with balsamic and olive oil but Green Goddess or any Asian-inspired dressing is very good too.
On my second batch of this amazing taste sensation. Only takes minutes to prepare when using the vitamix and lasts a good 5 days in the fridge. The flavours are insane, kept me full from lunchtime without any mid afternoon slump or snack attack! Hands down best recipie I’ve done for a long while. Try it now!
Thanks for the kind words, Joanne!
Should this be stored with the dressing mixed in or wait until just before eating to toss?
Wait until meal time!
I just made this but was wondering if I should start mixing at a higher setting than 1 – so the veggies get thrown around the container a little more? Salad turned out great but was a lot of work – and I made a mess 😉 worth it! love the dressing!
Isa, you may know this, but for me using the low-profile container and the tamper was the difference between struggle and effortless. I leave the tamper all the way down in the cover, and use it more like a bat than a plunger. Hope that makes sense! Good luck!
Bobbie is right, leaving the tamper in should make this very easy and mess free. If you watch the video you can see my technique. Some of the veggies I turn up to Level 2 if they aren’t getting thrown around enough.
I just ordered the A3500 with smoothie cups and 8 oz cups. I have not ordered the low profile container or taper. What can I do to make this? I don’t want to double it because I will probably be only one eating it. Can I still make in big container but maybe not as full and just have to dig more to get it out?
The container your A3500 comes with will be perfect for this recipe! All full size machines come with a tamper too 🙂
I want to make this salad but I’m only one person. If I double the dressing (for my low profile container), how long will it keep?
Dressing should last 7 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
I’m not new to Vitamix, butt am new to your site. The detox salad . WOW. I haven’t really used the vitamix for chopping veggies. Butt really trying to simplify things. Love your videos. Thank you.
Thanks Deb! Try it with our Blueberry Vin to really be blown away! 🙂
The salad was yummers! I am new to a Vitamix and was able to successfully chop the cauliflower but my others veggies were to fine, what did I do wrong? I watched your video several times. Still enjoyed the salad though! Thanks for sharing!
Smaller batches of the other veggies will get you less small pieces. Also, make sure you’re running it on Variable Speed 1
It’s a lot of work even with the Vitamix chopping but it is worth it! Great flavors. So many good nutrients in one big beautiful bowl!
Totally. And it lasts the week in the fridge!
It’s fresh, it’s filling, it’s full of great flavor, and it’s made with all sorts of ingredients you can feel great about!
Right? That good kind of full is so satisfying. 🙂
Day 5 of ownership of the Vitamix 3500. I am incredibly happy with all the recipes I’ve made. The Detox salad is fantastic. I just finished my 2nd bowl! Your videos are so easy to follow and very informative. Thanks bunches!!
Awesome! When you’re ready for a treat, give our Caesar a try!
This is delish! Thanks!
Our pleasure 🙂 It’s a favorite around here too!
This salad sounds wonderful. I have serious health problems and need extra healthy foods. I’m wondering what protein meals u can make with this Vitamix 750.
Well, my noyoke shake is full of protein and can be used as a meal replacement. https://s45509.p20.sites.pressdns.com/new-noyoke-shake/
And, well, these days, our entire site is dedicated to Vitamix recipes.
I love this recipe so much but it always makes enough to feed an army! Trader Joes sells riced cauliflower now and also had a bag of shredded red cabbage (bonus it already has carrots in it!) This made my salad a lot quicker to make and it was a better portion for little old me 🙂 Thanks LINY!
Good call if you’re looking to cut down on the steps! Still one of our faves.
I just made this and WOW! It’s really delicious. I had my doubts while putting it all together, thinking the veggies would taste too plain, or the dressing ingredients were too out there, but it was perfect. Thank you for sharing it!
Great feedback, Amelia. I usually have my doubts when there’s a boatload of ingredients, too. In fact, this recipe probably had the largest quantity of ingredients of any other on this site.
Yet, it’s one of the best.
I at this salad ALL WEEK last week. And you said what I didn’t want to proclaim myself. It really is perfect.
Tell your friends. 😉
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