Happy Monday loves! I think a huge veggie salad and an apple a day keep the doctor away, right?!
Let’s start out this week on a healthy note 🙂 with a rejuvenating recipe to get us through these sticky, humid, hair-ruining days, ha. That’s right, it’s one of those weeks where doing your hair seems pointless because the second you walk outside, it turns into a frizz ball of a mess! But at the same time, I kinda don’t mind because I really want summer to stay forever. Pleeease don’t leave us!!
This Chopped Detox Salad combines everything I love all in one. Lately, I’ve been leaning more towards recipes that are detoxifying and nourishing. It’s good to give your body a break from heavy meals sometimes, so I’m loving this salad at the moment. It’s filling too – which is important to me. I want to feel fully satisfied, not sorta satisfied after eating a salad for a meal.
A huge veggie-packed, plant-protein packed bowl will do the trick. Adding superfoods like protein-packed hemp hearts (buy here
So what else is in this big bowl of goodness? Cruciferous vegetables are packed with vitamins/minerals and are great for detoxification so I used a whole head of cauliflower, a bunch of kale, red cabbage, red onion and carrots. Then I added cilantro (herbs are key for detoxing too), hemp hearts, raisins, and sunflower seeds. I shredded all the veggies in the food processor which seriously was a life-saver and made everything a million times easier. Not only was it easier (and quicker), but every spoonful or forkful includes every nourishing ingredient which is why I love a chopped salad.
Everything is super small and for some reason, just tastes better that way. I used to love Portillo’s famous chopped salad so I tried to recreate that texture here. And it totally worked. The raisins add a touch of sweetness to cut out the bitter taste and bring the perfect balance. The sunflower seeds add that crunch factor, which is also key to making a great salad, in my opinion. And the hemp hearts are a complete-protein with all the essential amino acids plus they’re easy to digest and are chock full of vitamins.
I add hemp hearts to everything nowadays, from smoothies to hummus to salads and more. You can’t even taste them – they just add some wonderful texture to salads. You can buy my favorite Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts here! I definitely recommend getting your hands on some hemp hearts if you haven’t done so already.
This recipe makes a big batch – perfect for leftover lunches during the week, which you know I love! You may need to make extra citrus avocado dressing at some point, or just double the dressing recipe if you try this salad because you may run out of dressing before the salad is gone. I am crazy about this Chopped Detox Salad for many reasons! It’s well-balanced with texture and flavor – plus it will leave you feeling amazing afterward from all the super nourishing ingredients, it’s raw and oil-free and is absolutely beautiful! Totally presentable for a dinner party or event. If you need to revamp your usual salad, you have to try this recipe!!
Chopped Detox Salad
Description
A refreshing, detoxifying and nourishing raw vegan veggie salad, topped with an avocado citrus dressing!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 cups red cabbage, chopped
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 1/2 of a red onion
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, de-stemmed and chopped (or parsley)
- 1/2 cup raw hemp hearts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
Citrus Avocado Dressing
- Flesh from 1/2 of an avocado
- 1/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- juice from 1 lemon
- juice from 1 lime
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger (or powdered)
- 1/2 tablespoon raw agave nectar (or maple syrup)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a food processor, shred cauliflower, kale, cabbage, carrots, onion and cilantro. I had to do this in 3 or 4 different increments, it depends how big your food processor is. Add to large bowl and mix together. Then fold in hemp hearts, raisins and sunflower seeds.
- In a blender, combine all the ingredients for the citrus dressing and blend until well combined.
- I like to keep the salad and dressing separate unless being served at a party, but that way it doesn’t get soggy in the fridge for leftovers throughout the week.
- Enjoy!
I wanted to mention that over the weekend, I made a vegan carrot cake for my baby cousin, McKenna, to celebrate her 1st birthday and after digging her hands in and figuring out what it was (sugary and sweet) she went back for more! She can’t eat dairy so this may be a good cake recipe to share here on the blog! Vegan baking definitely takes some getting used to 😉
Isn’t she the cutest!?
Hi Shannon! thanks for the Chopped Detox Salad recipe. I love it
The dressing was dynomite! The salad was not my dream to have but I enjoyed it for about two days. The dressing though.. again was super delicious. Sharp and citrusy and that awesome ginger flavor. Really a keeper but again the salad was probably a way to incorporate a ton of veggies in one-shot.
★★★
This is one of the best salad Recipe, you have shared online. I will surely give it a try
★★★★★
hese look absolutely delicious! You have amazing food photography too :] As much as I know my girl’s will love these, I know I will too!
★★★★★
I am walking to the grocery store to get supplies for this salad. I’m so excited! I was wondering, do you think brussel sprouts would ruin the flavor profile any? I bought some because I haven’t had them in ages, but I’m still trying to decide on how to use them.
Wow. This is cool. We can stay healthy with the recipe like this. Thanks for the details.
I just made this and I loved it so much! The only problem is that my food processor is so sharp and powerful that in 2 seconds, the cauliflower and cabbage had been shredded into a pulp. It was still good though. I’ll chop my vegetables old school next time!
Lovely dish.. gonna try this tonight for me and my husband.
Look delicious! I will try this for my friends and kids. Will be back with ideas and reviews. I will also make versions to compare.
Hi.
I Love it.
Thanks for sharing.
I hope that one Chopped detox salad is best combination and thanks for sharing this i will make this one day
This salad is amazing and a great way to get lots of nutrition in one bowl! I didn’t have cauliflower or red cabbage, subbed in raw beets and Napa cabbage from my CSA haul. The result was delicious. Thanks again Dani for another hit!
Hi, I just stumbled on to your site. I’m 67 over weight with lots of health issues. I’ve made up my mind to change for good. I love the look of your salad.
I love vegs, fruit, cottage cheese & nuts, I need all the help & advise you can give.
This sounds like a lovely salad, but, I am allergic to hemp, so it wouldn’t be detox for me if I added hemp hearts in. Do you have an alternative suggestion that would taste good and provide near the same nutritional and/or detox qualities?
Thank you for your time
What is hemp heart and where do you buy that at?
Hi Jessica, hemp hearts are shelled hemp seeds that are a great source of plant protein, omega’s and are packed with vitamins and minerals. I add them to everything! They don’t really have a taste – you can buy them here: http://amzn.to/29AGHdg
Hope this helps!
Shannon
In am a 100% raw vegan, 69 , dance every day, ballroom, latin, line dance, Polynesian, and ballet and rescue animals! Feel so fabulous, never bloated, not fat, 110 pounds..play poker ,have no stress and great peace of mind! And NO health issues, not on any drugs!!!!!!
Amazing Suzanne! Raw vegan is not easy so good for you 🙂 love that you rescue animals too.
xoxo
Really awesome Suzanne!
Hi, I love that idea but need to know it will last for a week without dressing?
Thanks for your lovely post!
Hi Rana – the salad should last a week in the fridge if you leave the dressing separate. Thanks!
I just made this and I loved it so much! The only problem is that my food processor is so sharp and powerful that in 2 seconds, the cauliflower and cabbage had been shredded into a pulp. It was still good though. I’ll chop my vegetables old school next time!
This is my first vegan recipe i’ve made and I love it. Not only that my whole family loves it. Also was wondering what a serving size is. I’m planning on eating this for lunch the whole week.Thanks Shannon.
Hi Kim – I really don’t measure serving sizes so I don’t have exact amounts for you – I just fill a big bowl and enjoy but I’m estimating you could get 6 good-sized bowls out of this recipe. Hope that makes sense, haha!
Thanks,
Shannon
I was wondering what a serving sizes of the salad and dressing would be? I am eating as I type this and it’s AMAZING!!
Jill
Hi Jill! I really don’t measure serving sizes so I don’t have exact amounts – I just fill a big bowl and enjoy but I think you could get 6 good-sized bowls out of this recipe. Hope this makes sense!
Shannon
I can’t wait to try this weekend! Can you share your carrot cake recipe? I am a Celiac so I will need to make gluten free… Thank you!
This salad was absolutely delicious! Thank you for all of your fabulous recipes!
I have made this salad multiple times now and each time I love it more and more! It was a total hit at our last family cookout, even among the picky eaters and those who aren’t usually fans of cauliflower and red cabbage! I definitely recommend!
Shannon, I have had this recipe for the salad pinned for SUCH a long time and I finally gave it a try today. I have to say this is amazing and I can not believe I waited this long! I am a Nutrition major finishing up school shortly and I am overly obsessed with every ingredient and each of their benefits. I can’t say enough great things about it. I will be posting this on my account ASAP! I will surely tag you in it(:
Keep an eye out!
Kate
@katedelanee
This looks great! I’m definitely going to try.
Debi
I made this (okay I didn’t have any kale, hemp hearts or red cabbage – so I basically subbed in plain old cabbage) and it was divine!! Thank you for the recipe – I can see I’m going to be pinning a few of yours!
Just made this salad!!! So good and so filling!!!! I definitely plan on trying everything on your blog… So happy I stumbled upon your site!
Wow, awesome recipe but particularly great pictures. Love it!
hey Shannon !
Mandy told me about your blog! hope all is well and i cant wait to try this recipe, it looks great
Hey girly – yay thanks for stopping by! I miss Mandy so so much. Hope all is well with you! Tell her to text me back asap 🙂
The colors in that salad are making me want to lick the screen!
I love how you take so many colorful ingredients and make a masterpiece. Thanks for taking the time to post this recipe. I can’t wait to make this for our monthly employee dinner. I know everyone is going to enjoy it.
Thank you and wow I hope everyone enjoys it!!
Hi!
I was just wondering how much dressing you put on a serving?
Thanks!
Hi Olivia, it all depends on the salad size and I’m generous with the amount because most of my dressings are homemade, oil-free or made with little oil. On a salad big enough for a meal, I’d say about 1/4 cup? Hope that helps!
First I love salad so that why i clicked this link. Second great recipe thanks, im going to see if i can make it for luch tommorow
Hi Mary, I love salads too! Thank you, hope you enjoy!