This Rainbow Salad is the perfect way to get more veggies into your diet!
Hello, Spring! I have been waiting for you. We actually had a REAL winter here in Northern California this year, and this girl is ready for some warm sunshine and fresh food. I don’t know about you, but I don’t eat a ton of raw foods in the winter. I’ve been hunkering down this cold winter with hearty soups and stews trying to stay cozy and warm. I figured that it’s about time to lighten it up a bit.
I’m kicking off this Spring with my Rainbow Salad. It’s basically a big salad bursting with all the colors. Doesn’t that look pretty?
Ever hear the term “eat the rainbow.” It’s a simple way of reminding you that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables will get you the vitamins and minerals you need. I like this idea because sometimes I get into a rut and find myself eating the same things over and over again. Can you relate?
This Rainbow Salad is all about aesthetics and texture. Food is so much more than just what we are actually eating. When we create beautiful foods that are pleasing to the eyes and to the palate, we are creating an experience of eating. Pretty food tastes better. Different textures make it more interesting. I used my mandoline slicer to make super thing carrots and radishes and spiralizer to create fun shapes with the cucumber.
The idea with this salad is to just get as many different colors and nutrients into it as possible. After a long, cold winter, many of us have probably been eating heavier, richer foods. Spring is a time to lighten things up and to get things moving again. You guys know I’m not a big fan of detox diets and fad eating. But getting our sluggish bodies moving and giving our livers a little love is important. You can read more about some simple ways to gently detox every day HERE.
I’ve been starting my day with my favorite green detox juice. You don’t even need a juicer to make it. And I’ve been making variations of this Rainbow Salad, basically using whatever colorful veggies I can find. This salad is super versatile. Just pick your favorite colorful veggies and go with it. I used a mix of arugula and baby greens for the base. You can use any salad greens that make you happy.
Oh, don’t forget about the delicious dressing. It’s just a simple orange vinaigrette that pairs well with just about any salad. Just 6 simple ingredients: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, an orange, a shallot, and salt and pepper. If ginger is your jam, feel free to substitute ginger for the shallot. Mmmmmm… orange ginger vinaigrette! You can never have enough homemade salad dressing. It makes throwing together salads super easy.
So, there it is. My first salad of the season, loaded with all the colors of the rainbow. Yet super easy to throw together. Fresh, versatile, and so beautiful. You are going to LOVE it. Trust me!
xo,
Katja
Rainbow Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
For the Orange Vinaigrette
- 3/4 cup olive oil ( THIS is my favorite brand)
- 2 tbs apple cider vinegar ( I use THIS raw brand)
- juice from one orange
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/2 of a shallot, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
For the Salad
- 8 to 12 ounces of salad greens (I used baby arugula and a spring salad mix)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 2 carrots, thinly sliced
- 6 small radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 small red pepper, chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced or spiralized
- 1 cups shredded purple cabbage
- handful of fresh cilantro OR parsley, chopped
Garnish
- hemp seeds (like this)
Instructions
- Prepare dressing my adding everything except salt and pepper to a glass jar. Mix os shake until well incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- To assemble salad, add salad greens to bowl. Arrange vegetables in rainbow color order OR just throw them in and mix.
- Serve with orange vinaigrette dressing. Enjoy!
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This looks so delicious and refreshing! The perfect way to celebrate SPRING! Yum! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Kelly! So refreshing!!
I needed a dressing change up this week! This is perfect! Thank you!
Looking at this recipe I’m really excited for summer. These pictures feel like sunshine and this salad looks utterly delicious!
Thanks, Donna! Feels like sunshine to me too!!
Yaaaaas give me ALL the colorful veggies!
This salad IS my love language. Beautiful work, lady!!! I just want to dig in!!!
Me, too!! Thanks, Irena!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors in this salad. You sure know you are getting the upmost nutrition when you eat this, don’t you? Looks so inspiring!
Thanks, Michelle. I LOVE LOVE this salad too.
Beautiful salad indeed. I’m like you with this Northern California real winter this year – yay! but I’ve been stuffing my face with all things soup now ready to indulge in pretty salads.
Seriously! This girl is ready for some fresh food!
This. Is. Gorgeous. Seriously beautiful. This is one “eat the rainbow” salad for sure, so lovely and nourishing.
Thanks, Emily!!
This is so colorful and beautiful! Love the yummy dressing!
Thanks, Stacey!
This salad is so gorgeous! I love all the different colors and shapes. That dressing sounds delicious and perfect for spring!
Thanks, Jessica!
I always try and eat as many colors of fruits and veggies as I can throughout the week, and it’s even easier when they’re all right there together in 1 salad, plus that vinaigrette sounds delish!
Stunning salad! I love all the flavors and colors.
Thanks, Cristina!
So summery and beautiful, great recipe Katja!
This rainbow salad looks so refreshing and perfect for early spring ! Totally going to make it !!
Enjoy!!
Oh wow, no this is my kind of salad. Such a beautiful array of colours and I adore orange in my dressings too, so pretty.
Just gorgeous! So much color and nutrition!
This is truly a bright and beautiful salad! Thanks for sharing.
This looks so incredible and PERFECT for Spring. I must try this soon.
I just love the power of Spring and it’s open invitation to the freshness and brightness of the season.
Congrats on a wonderful recipe.
Thanks, Kelly!
So fresh and colorful! This looks citrusy and light, so excited to try this recipe! YUM!!
I love to eat the rainbow! Gorgeous salad!
There is literally nothing better than a rainbow salad! Lovely photos as always Katja – so vibrant! And that vinaigrette sounds delicious 🙂
Thanks, Georgina! I drool over your desserts too!
Oh my gosh the colors!! Absolutely love this. And sign me up for that orange dressing! Happy spring!
This is stunning. My favorite thing about this (after the avocado) is undoubtedly the cilantro! I wish all salads had it. 🙂
I can’t get enough cilantro! I eat it on EVERYTHING!!
Love this. I change it up between the orange or lemon in the dressing depending on my mood and what we have on hand. I also do this with garlic for the shallot. Both delicious and refreshing. I add feta usually for a cheese, and if I want to add protein I add chicken and/or hard-boiled egg. Definitely one on our ongoing menu rotation and easy leftovers for lunch during the week. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your subs. Glad you love it! 🙂
This salad is exceptional! I am trying to lose weight, so I did not put any dressing on it, just lemon juice… and I added an orange to the vegetables. I shall make it again!
Yay, Stella! So glad you liked it. 🙂
That is A LOT of oil!!!
It makes a lot of salad dressing. It’s a big salad + it’s always nice to have extra dressing on hand. 🙂
Looks delicious. Do you have nutritional information?
Hi! I don’t calculate macros, but you can use this free app if you want to know —> https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ Hope that helps. 🙂