Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
This cruciferous crunch salad with lemon tahini dressing is going to become your new go-to meal prep.
Not only is this salad incredibly easy to make, but it holds up well in the fridge for days and is vegan, gluten free, paleo and Whole30 approved!
Why this recipe works
- The salad greens in this recipe include kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts and broccoli slaw. These greens are extremely filling and perfect for lunch or dinner!
- Add your favorite protein to make this a complete meal! Meal prepped oven baked chicken breast or 7 minute salmon are great for this!
- The homemade lemon tahini dressing is creamy and delicious and so simple to make! Never buy store bought again!
- You can make this in under 5 minutes using bagged salad mixes!
Ingredients
- Cruciferous crunch salad mix
- Broccoli slaw
- Tahini
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Garlic powder
How to make cruciferous crunch salad
- Add the dressing ingredients to a large bowl.
- Combine the dressing ingredients and stir in water until the dressing has thinned out and will easily dress the salad.
- Add the cruciferous crunch salad mix and a bag of broccoli slaw to the bowl.
- Toss the salad with tongs until all the greens are coated with dressing. Taste for salt.
FAQs
How to make cruciferous crunch salad mix at home
- Remove the thick center stalks from one bunch of kale. Chop the kale into thin ribbons
- Shred 1/2 of a small red cabbage with a knife or using the shredding attachment on the food processor
- Shred 1/2 pound brussel sprouts with a knife or the shredding attachment of the food processor
What is tahini
Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds (just like almond butter or peanut butter). It’s incredibly creamy and has a really distinct sesame seed flavor! In this recipe, the tahini is used in salad dressings to instead of olive oil. It’s a great source of healthy fats and stands up really well to acids like vinegar and lemon juice.
If you don’t have tahini
If you don’t have tahini, you can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter or cashew butter in place of tahini
Make ahead of time
This salad actually gets better as it sits in the fridge! So it’s perfect for meal prep or to make ahead of time for parties! It also does well out in the sun so it’s perfect for cookouts!
This salad can withstand being in the fridge for 2-3 days with the dressing, however the dressing can be made up to a week in advance.
What to serve this with
Substiutions
Cruciferous crunch salad mix: This is a pre-made salad mix you can find at Trader Joe’s. See the notes above on how to make this mix yourself.
I often make this salad with all broccoli slaw instead of the cruciferous crunch. You can use 2 bags of broccoli slaw if you cannot find the salad mix and don’t want to make it yourself.
Broccoli slaw: you can use traditional coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots) or use more kale or shredded brussel sprouts in place of the broccoli slaw.
Tahini: Tahini can be substituted with almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter.
Lemon juice: You can also use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of lemon juice. You will need about 2 tablespoons.
If you love this recipe, you should try
- Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad
- Kale and Brussel Sprouts Salad with Cranberries
- Avocado Ranch Broccoli Slaw
- Cauliflower Potato Salad
Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 package cruciferous crunch salad mix - see notes for alternatives
- 1 package organic broccoli slaw
- 1/4 cup tahini
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tbs. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbs. dijon mustard
- 3-4 tbs. water
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the cruciferous crunch with the broccoli slaw.
- In a small jar, combine the tahini, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, garlic powder and 3 tbs. of water. Combine well. You can add up to 1 more tbs. of water depending on the consistency.
- Pour the dressing over the mix. Mix well until completely coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 3-4 days
- Note: if you can’t find cruciferous crunch salad mix, combine 3 cups chopped kale, 1/4 cup chopped red cabbage, 1 cup shredded brussels sprouts and 1/2 cup broccoli slaw.
Recipe Notes
- Remove the thick center stalks from one bunch of kale. Chop the kale into thin ribbons
- Shred 1/2 of a small red cabbage with a knife or using the shredding attachment on the food processor
- Shred 1/2 pound brussel sprouts with a knife or the shredding attachment of the food processor
The dressing has a fabulous flavor profile. I used the already prepared Cruciferous Crunch Collection from Trader Joe’s. Easy to prepare with a robust flavor!
Michelle that is my go-to bagged salad from Trader Joe’s – it really is one of the best! So glad you loved the dressing with that mix! Happy cooking – Sam
As is sounds fabulous for a party side, but
What crunchy salad topping could u add?
Toasted pepitas? Cashews? Or a packet of crushed ramen noodles ?
Those all sound like great topping ideas! Whatever you love would probably be great! Trader Joe’s has plantain croutons that are my go-to when I want a crunchy topping!
This was delicious! I just tossed it with the cruciferous crunch mix and added some chopped dates for a little sweetness. I’ll keep this dressing on hand for sure. One note: when I went to print it, it takes four pages! It would be great if you could set up the print option to use just one sheet of paper. Thanks!
The dressing is AMAZING. Could literally eat it on anything. One of the best homemade dressings I have had in a long time. Perfect salad. I added tomato, diced red onion, and cucumber for more freshness. DELISCIOUS. Will be eating again
Simple and delicious! Love this healthy salad!
Thank you so much for posting this, this salad was delicious! I added a package of TJ’s steamed lentils to make it a super filling lunch. Thank you!
Your Salad looks fantastic, we will love it! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
This looks so amazingly good!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner link up!
I’ve been meaning to make something with the tahini that I have left! This sounds delicious! :D
I need this one in my life!