Wonderfully addicting, super-filling detox salad
After a long holiday weekend, a detox salad is “just what the doctor ordered.”
That’s true especially if the weekend consisted of Labor-Day-in-Minnesota activities.
Read: Wedding (cake and booze); MN State Fair (fried food on a stick); Road trip (rest stop food options).
So a detox was MUCH needed. And this detox salad was:
- Ridiculously delicious.
- Incredibly filling.
- Gluten free, dairy free, no-sugar-added, vegan, etc.
While it takes a good amount of chopping (unless you use make it a Vitamix recipe by using your Vitamix to chop), it is 100% worth it.
And, I should mention: It’s wonderfully addicting.
With a citrus avocado dressing, the recipe for this detox salad follows the delicious irony of its perfectly balanced flavors.
Plus, some highlights from my weekend.
Enjoy. 🙂
The Ironically addicting detox salad
Junk food creators aim to do precisely what this detox salad does: Create a curious balance.
They aim for “The Bliss Point.”
The concept comes from the shocking and highly recommended article “The Extraordinary Science of Junk Food.”
Basically, when recipes have more than one distinct flavor, we don’t grow tired of it. Great examples include:
- Dr. Pepper
- Snickers Bars
- Heinz 57 ketchup (although HFCS causes addiction here, too)
Given just one of Dr. Peppers’ flavors, or nougat, or tomatoes, we’d enjoy until a certain point. But we’re able to identify the flavor and move on.
When, however, the flavors are perfectly balanced, we compulsively go back for more.
Big Food has used this trick for decades.
Now, I’ve used it in this detox salad.
Can you taste the irony? 🙂
This salad is so, so good.
So complex.
So balanced that it’s good anytime, anywhere, and with anything.
And of course, you never want to stop.
Best part?
This detox salad is amazingly good for you.
Almost to the recipe…
Kayla’s Wedding, Labor Day Weekend
Here are a couple highlights from my pre-needing-a-detox, Labor Day, sister’s wedding weekend.
First, Lucy and I on the road to MN. Sunflower seeds in my cheek. Not chew, that wouldn’t be very LINY. 🙂
Dad and I during the pre-wedding photo session. He wasn’t nervous, stressed or over-whelmed at all. 😉 (Not pictured: 2 glasses of Macallan)
The girl and I at the MN State Fair waiting for a bucket of Sweet Martha’s Cookies. * drool *
And so, after four days of NOT eating NOYOKE, I was ready to detox. Big time.
Anyways, would you like to see how we make it? Watch the video below.
Other Noteworthy Versions
- The Glowing Fridge: Shannon's Chopped Detox Salad
Recipe

Detox Salad
Delicious, nutritious, and incredibly filling detox salad. Perfect after a "festive" weekend.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Avocado, Carrots, Cauliflower, Ginger, Kale, Raisins, Red Cabbage,Ingredients:
- SALAD
- cauliflower - 1 head
- kale - 2 cups (200 g)
- red cabbage - 1/2 head
- carrots - 2 cups (250 g)
- red or green onion - 1/2 cup (75 or 50 g)
- raisins - 1/2 cup (75 g)
- sun flower seeds - 1/4 cup (35 g)
- OPTIONAL: fresh cilantro (no stems) - 1/4 cup (4 g)
- DRESSING (for narrow-bodied container; double if using low-profile 64-ounce)
- avocado - 1 whole
- apple cider vinegar - 1/4 cup (60 mL)
- lemon juice - from half a lemon
- lime juice - from one lime
- ginger (fresh) - 2 Tbsp. (12 g)
- dates (pitted) - 1 whole
- salt & pepper - to taste
Instructions:
SALAD:
- Chop everything.
- If using a Vitamix, use golf ball sized pieces 1/3 of the way full.
- You want small pieces, but keep some texture.
- Pour into bowl and mix it all up.
DRESSING:
- Add ingredients to the Vitamix container.
- Blend on high until smooth.
DETOX SALAD:
- Toss the salad and dressing together.
- Top with raisins and sunflower seeds.
- Snap a pic and tag #lifeisNOYOKE
- Eat and be happy immediately.
- Or, throw it in the fridge and enjoy over the next few days. It keeps getting better.
Useful tips for Detox Salad
This salad is pretty hard to screw up.
Using a low-profile 64-ounce container to make the dressing? You’ll need to double the recipe.
Be super careful when you’re chopping all the ingredients. The cabbage, especially, can be a doozy if you’re not careful.
To keep the raisins and sunflower seeds from getting soggy, top salad with them right before serving.
Watch the video tutorial!
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!
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?
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?
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://lifeisnoyoke.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. 😉