Try this easy and filling Sunday meal prep: Detox Salad!
New and exciting! This recipe is a big part of 1K30, our new Vitamix diet plan.
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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.
Update: Here’s a video of our latest trip to the fair
Other Noteworthy Versions
- The Glowing Fridge: Shannon's Chopped Detox Salad
Recipe
Detox Salad
Try this easy and filling Sunday meal prep: Detox Salad!
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)
- OPTIONAL: red or green onion - 1/2 cup (75 or 50 g)
- OPTIONAL: raisins - 1/2 cup (75 g)
- OPTIONAL: 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:
This salad can be topped with any dressing, if you’re short on time, skip these steps and use balsamic + olive oil or any store-bought dressing.
- Add ingredients to the Vitamix container.
- Blend on high until smooth.
DETOX SALAD:
- Toss just the serving of salad you’ll be eating and the 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 (dressing in a separate airtight container) and enjoy over the next few days. It keeps getting better.
Useful tips for Detox Salad
This salad is pretty hard to screw up.
Be super careful when you’re chopping all the ingredients. The cabbage, especially, can be a doozy if you’re not careful. Use golfball sized pieces and leave the tamper in the lid to push around the ingredients.
Using a low-profile 64-ounce container to make the dressing? You’ll need to double the recipe.
Don’t dress the whole batch, it will keep much longer if you store the salad and dressing separately in the fridge.
To keep the raisins and sunflower seeds from getting soggy, top salad with them right before serving.
Watch the video tutorial!
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://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. 😉