Superfood Salad

This is my take on a Superfood Salad — big, hearty and full of clean, healthy ingredients.  This salad recipe is crunchy and delicious as an entree or side, and has a juicy lemon vinaigrette dressing to drizzle over the top.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

No matter the time of year, don’t we all want to feel a little healthier, especially after (in my case) months of indulging? I’ve certainly eaten my share of caramel corn and sugary snacks recently, so maybe it’s time for a gentle reset with a really delicious salad full of superfoods!

• This is a hearty and filling salad with lots of healthy ingredients, nice for those of us that haven’t had a vegetable in a while 🙂
• Lots of clean flavors going on here, nothing processed. Eat seconds, if you want!
• This recipe is easily adaptable for your tastes, so there’s lots of flexibility too.
• This salad is easy to put together, and is absolutely delicious with my juicy homemade lemon vinaigrette (recipe below) drizzled over the top.
• Why not try it with a really good sandwich, like a Naan BLT with Sun Dried Tomato Mayo, or something more hearty soup like Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup?

What are Superfoods anyway?

Turns out “Superfood” is sort of a marketing word that describes nutrient-rich foods that are healthy to eat.  Stuff like dark leafy greens, berries, yogurt, green tea, eggs and legumes. In other words, foods that are excellent after pumpkin pie, cheese balls, See’s candy and stuff like that 🙂

Here’s a list of some powerful superfoods, if you’re interested.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the full recipe and ingredient list, just scroll down to the recipe card below.

• Greens:  So may to choose from, and I like a blend of a couple varieties for their color and texture. For this salad, we’re using Romaine and also fresh kale.  Any dark, leafy green will work here!
• Radicchio:  Sharp and a little bitter, this cabbage-like veg gives some balance to all these flavors, and I love the color it adds on the plate.
• Broccolini:  Smaller and softer than regular broccoli, the whole thing can be eaten, stems and all.
• Brussel Sprouts:  High in fiber, minerals and antioxidants, and surprisingly good (and crunchy) thin sliced and raw.
• Fennel:  Mild, sweet and crunchy, fennel is wonderful when thinly sliced in salad and has a very mild licorice flavor.
• Lemon Vinaigrette:  Super easy to make and shake in a jar, this juicy vinaigrette makes practically anything taste delicious.

Step-By-Step Instructions

This recipe comes together quickly after a few easy steps:

1. Prep the Veggies : You’ll be doing a little washing, drying and cutting.
2. Make a Simple Vinaigrette:  This one is bursting with fresh lemon juice, so good.
3. Assemble and Plate:  This is such an easy salad!  Gather your ingredients, prep them, plate and enjoy!

While this Superfood Salad is refreshing and tasty and wonderful on it’s own, a big piece of hot french bread on the side isn’t out of the question. You decide 🙂

Tips and Substitutions

• Use Ingredient Swaps:  Make your own combinations, and change up the broccolini for thin-sliced zucchini, and raspberries or blackberries instead of blueberries. Use any dark leafy greens that you like 🙂
• Add In’s:  Thinly sliced and warmed chicken breast or grilled shrimp make a satisfying addition to this salad.
• Make it a Party:  This recipe is easy to scale up for more people.  For a large gathering, I set out two large platters and serve the dressing on the side.
• Meal prep or make it in advance: You can prep all these ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble. These can be done as a meal prep too, just keep the dressing separate in both cases until you’re ready to eat.
• Buy Organic: I always buy organic if it’s available.

FAQ’s and Serving Ideas

• This is a hearty salad that’s easy to transport to work, the park or to a picnic table outside. It holds up well in containers, but keep it chilled and toss or drizzle with the vinaigrette right before serving.
• I like to serve this with a really good soup, like this Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup, or maybe a Creamy Pumpkin Soup. With a basket of toasted and buttered bread, of course 🙂
• For dessert, a tray of Decorated Chocolate Covered Strawberries are always a hit. Triple Chocolate Cookies are reallllly good and also portable, and if you’re going all out, why not splurge with Muffin Tin Caramel Apple Pies? That’s what I’d do 🙂

What are the healthiest ingredients to put in a salad?

There are so many options for flavorful salad toppings. Start with a base of raw greens such as kale, romaine lettuce, arugula. Then add raw nuts, whole grains, seeds of any kind, shredded hard cheeses and fresh sliced fruits. Use your imagination, and try new combinations!

Can I substitute these ingredients if, say I don’t like kale?

Yes! Use all romaine lettuce as an example or a combination of any two greens you like such as romaine and arugula. Same with nuts – use peanuts or almonds instead of pecans. Customize this salad to your tastes, you really can’t go wrong 🙂

More Salad Recipes to Try:

Best Rotisserie Chicken Salad:  So good, and rotisserie chicken is a major shortcut! 

Modern Carrot Salad Fresh, easy, full of flavor and no mayo!

Simple Chickpea Salad Simple and hearty, a big favorite

Strawberry Asparagus Salad Fresh and pretty, everyone loves this one

Blackberry Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts A stunner! Great flavor combinations too.

If you’ve made a Superfood Salad or any recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate it and leave me a comment below…I’d love to hear from you!

Looking for more tips and fresh, homemade recipes? Join my email list, tag me at #studiodeliciouseats and see what I’m up to on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 🙂

This recipe was updated with new text and photos January 2021