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Ultimate Health Salad Recipe Packed With Nutrient-Rich Superfoods - Fresh, Filling, and Easy

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Base greens: 4 cups mixed baby kale, spinach, and arugula
  • Cooked quinoa: 1 cup (cooled; white or tri-color)
  • Chickpeas: 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • Avocado: 1 ripe, diced
  • Cucumber: 1 cup, diced
  • Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
  • Red cabbage: 1 cup, thinly sliced
  • Blueberries: 1/2 cup (or pomegranate arils)
  • Carrots: 1 cup, shredded
  • Fresh herbs: 1/2 cup chopped (parsley, cilantro, or mint)
  • Pumpkin seeds: 1/4 cup, toasted
  • Hemp hearts or chia seeds: 2 tablespoons
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (to taste)
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons water (to thin as needed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook the quinoa: Rinse 1/2 cup dry quinoa under cold water. Cook in 1 cup water with a pinch of salt until fluffy (about 15 minutes). Cool completely.
  • Prep the produce: Chop the greens, dice the cucumber and avocado, halve the tomatoes, shred the carrots, and slice the red cabbage. Pat the chickpeas dry.
  • Toast the seeds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pumpkin seeds for 2 to 3 minutes until they pop and smell nutty. Set aside.
  • Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until creamy and pourable.
  • Season the chickpeas: Toss chickpeas with a pinch of salt and pepper. Optional: add a dash of smoked paprika or cumin for extra flavor.
  • Assemble the salad base: In a large bowl, add greens, cabbage, carrots, quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, and blueberries. Add herbs.
  • Add the creamy element: Gently fold in the avocado so it stays in chunky pieces.
  • Dress and toss: Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat. Add more dressing as needed.
  • Finish with crunch: Top with chickpeas, toasted pumpkin seeds, and hemp hearts. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon.
  • Serve: Enjoy right away, or plate into meal-prep containers with dressing on the side.