Here’s my take on a Superfoods Salad – big, hearty, and full of clean, healthy ingredients This salad recipe is crunchy and delicious as an entree or side, and it’s paired with a juicy lemon vinaigrette to drizzle over the top.
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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 a gentle reset with for my immune system with nutrient-rich food that’s really delicious is in order!
- This is a hearty and filling salad with lots of healthy ingredients
- 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.
- If you want a bit of protein, try my Best Rotisserie Chicken Salad.…it’s easy too 🙂
- 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? I’d also be happy with a not-too-bad-for you creamy, hot dip with some cut carrots or celery….like this light and lemony artichoke dip.
- That said, a cheesy, delish accompaniment are these wonderful twice-baked Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes too!
What are Superfoods anyway?
Turns out “Superfoods” are 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.
This also includes heart-healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and dressing ingredients like balsamic vinegar and maybe some fresh lemon or lime juice to keep it tangy.
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.
- Blueberries: For great texture, blueberries do the job. Try raspberries and other fresh fruits too!
- 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.
- Brussels 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.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together quickly after a few easy steps:
- Prep the Veggies : You’ll be doing a little washing, drying and cutting. A large bowl is helpful, too.
- Make a Simple Vinaigrette: This one is bursting with fresh lemon juice, so good.
- 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 broccoli florets for green cabbage or thin-sliced zucchini, and raspberries or blackberries instead of blueberries. Shaved brussel sprouts, roasted sweet potato, kale leaves, and bell pepper are also great add-ins or swaps.
- Add-In’s: Thinly sliced and warmed chicken breast or grilled shrimp make a satisfying addition to this salad. So does creamy avocado or grilled tofu chunks.
- Make it a Party: This is one of those salad recipes that’s easy to scale up for more people. For a large gathering, I set out a large serving platter or two, 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.
- Sprinkle on some optional chia seeds or pumpkin seeds for extra nutrition too!
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 🙂
- You could also serve this salad with something more substantial, like this easy Shortcut Chicken Pot Pie Recipe.
- 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 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. I like hard cheeses like white cheddar or Parmesan, but goat cheese would be delicious too. On the savory side, add some thin sliced green onions and colored bell pepper too.
Yes! Use nutrient-rich peanuts, almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts…and don’t forget sunflower seeds. Use a combination, too, like 1/4 cup walnuts and a 1/4 cup pecans.
Yes! Use all romaine lettuce as an example or a combination of any two greens you like such as romaine and arugula. Or, make the whole thing a kale salad! And don’t forget other hearty veg like red cabbage and Napa cabbage. Both add texture and crunch, and are easy to find at the grocery store.
Maple syrup would be perfect, or skip it altogether for a tangier dressing.
More Recipes to Try:
- Crunchy Green Bean, Pea and Walnut Salad: Fresh and delicious, this is just a great side for so many dishes.
- Modern Carrot Salad Fresh, easy, full of flavor and no mayo!
- Easy Lodge Cast Iron Pizza Recipe: Fabulous with salad!
- Simple Chickpea Salad Simple and hearty, a big favorite
- Strawberry Asparagus Salad Fresh and pretty, everyone loves this one
If you’ve made a Superfoods Salad or any recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate it and leave me a comment below…I’d love to hear from you!
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Superfoods Salad
Ingredients
- FOR THE SALAD
- 3 cups Romaine Lettuce, washed, dried and sliced into one-inch (1") strips
- ½ Radicchio, sliced into thin ribbons
- 3 Kale (curly)washed with spine removed and torn into small pieces
- 1 Carrot, cut thinly or shaved in ribbons with a vegetable peeler
- Broccolini, sliced in half to make thin strips
- 2 Green Onions, washed, trimmed and thinly sliced length-wise
- 1 Avocado, sliced in one-inch 1" chunky pieces
- 6-8 Brussels Sprouts, ends trimmed, thinly sliced
- 1 small Fennel, ends trimmed, thinly sliced about 1 cup
- ½ cup Blueberries, washed and dried
- ½ cup Pecans, whole
- Flake Sea Salt and freshly ground lemon pepper for serving
- FOR THE LEMON VINAIGRETTE
- 6 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 3 teaspoons Honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons Mayo, or non-dairy mayo
- ½ teaspoon Lemon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- MAKE THE SALAD
- Prepare all the vegetables as directed and arrange them by distributing the ingredients as evenly as possible on four plates or bowls. Grouping the same ingredients together looks better if using a large platter. Alternatively, you can toss the salad and plate it dressed with the vinaigrette on salad-sized plates.
- MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE
- Whisk all the ingredients except the olive oil together in a medium-sized bowl, or just put the ingredients in a mason jar with lid, shake and serve.
Notes
- Make 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.
- Same with adding cooked grains like quinoa
- 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.
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
This recipe was updated with new text and photos January 2021
This salad is gorgeous…. seriously superfoods galore! I love that there are blueberries and pecans here…. and how so many of the veggies are sliced into ribbons, such a great texture!
Thank you very much!
Such a pretty salad! It’s exactly what I need right now to chase those January blues away!
Great! Thanks
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around transitioning to a healthier menu this January. I need my comfort food when it’s cold! Haha! Your salad is making me think I need to how on the healthy eating train sooner than later though. Love it!
I’m totally with you! Thanks
This is one of the prettiest salads I’ve ever seen!!! I love how the best foods are also the prettiest 😀 I want to dig into this right now- YUM
Right? Thanks for commenting!
This salad sounds fantastic and I do need to have more salad after the holiday binge! I love all the great ingredients in this! I have my own simple super food salad I go to when it is time to avoid the heavy foods: https://ethnicspoon.com/spinach-salad-with-pomegranate-dressing/
Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
Thanks!
Yummy! That looks so fabulous! I like my food big too, and chunky! I am going to buy all the ingredients to make your wonderful salad this weekend.
Excellent, and thanks!
Lots of great colours and textures going on here. This is a super nutritious salad for sure. Great for lunch or dinner.
Thank you!
All these super foods made for a yummy salad and a gorgeous presentation. I really love the nuts and dressing on this salad.
Thank you!
We’ve been doing pancakes pretty often over here, too. This salad is absolutely gooooorgeous (those blueberries!!) and a great way to get back on track for sure!
Thank you!
I LOVE the beautiful colors in this salad!
Thank you!
This sounds so perfect for me! I’ve been trying to eat more veggies and just be healthier in general, so I think I definitely need this in my life 😉
Sounds great, thanks for commenting!
This is a fantastic salad and I love the flavors and the lemon vinaigrette is awesome
Thank you very much!
love this! Always looking for good salads!
Me too! Thanks 🙂
Yummy! I love everyone of those foods in that superfood salad. Sign me up!
It’s a good one! 🙂
I’m always ready for a reset in January. Thank you for all of the ideas on ways to change this up to keep it interesting the whole month long. Looks amazing!
You got it 🙂
Yay, thanks!