Learn how to make your own version of the Whole Foods Detox Salad! Quick, easy, full of fresh ingredients, and a delicious way to enjoy a vibrant, veggie-packed meal.
Have you ever had one of those weeks where you feel like your meals aren’t hitting the mark? Where all you want is something fresh and light, like fruits and vegetables? I’m totally there with you. Lately, I’ve noticed my diet slipping a little—not going overboard with junk food, but not always making the choices I feel best about either.
Mostly it's because I've been snacking more than normal. Especially on energy balls! One of the downsides of working from home is that your kitchen is just steps away. And when you have delicious sweet treats, like my Turtle Cookie Energy Balls, peeking at you from the freezer, it's hard to resist.
So each day around lunch, I’m finding that I want something light, fresh, and packed with greens—like, really green! Sometimes that means a smoothie, but smoothies can be a bit high in sugar. What’s been my go-to instead? My copycat version of the Whole Foods Green Salad!
This is a recipe I first shared back in 2012, but it deserved a little update. Inspired by the Whole Foods salad bar, it’s perfect for when you want a fresh, vibrant lunch or meal.
It’s loaded with colorful vegetables, crunch from nuts and seeds, a touch of sweetness from dried fruit, and a tangy, flavorful dressing.
This salad is full of texture and flavor—making it a delicious way to enjoy a fresh, satisfying meal.
It's also one of those salads that will keep for a few days in the fridge, so you can certainly use it for meal prep!
Now before I let you go, there are just a few things I want to tell you about this salad:
- It can easily be bulked up by adding your favorite protein
- You can swap the nuts, seeds and fruit for whatever you have on hand (or leave them out)
- The dressing is also delicious with rice vinegar, lime and/or honey
Lastly, if you have a sensitive digestive system, this salad might cause some gas or bloating. Since it’s made with raw vegetables—some of which can be harder to digest—you might notice it doesn’t fully agree with you.
If that’s the case, try gently steaming the broccoli and cauliflower first, letting them cool completely, and then pulsing them lightly in a food processor. This can make them easier on your system.
Otherwise, dig in—this salad is absolutely delicious!
More Easy and delicious Recipes
Copycat Whole Foods Detox Salad
Ingredients
- 2 broccoli crowns
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 cups finely chopped kale
- 1/2 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or pepitas
- 1/2 cup sliced cashews or almonds
- 1/2 cup dried golden berries or other fruit of choice
- 1/2 cup dried wild blueberries
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or other mild flavored vinegar
- 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and rinse all your vegetables, then cut the broccoli and cauliflower into florets. In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the broccoli and cauliflower until fine and add them to a large mixing bowl. You may need to do this in batches - I needed three.
- Process the carrot the same way and add to the bowl. Stir all ingredients to combine.
- Add the rest of the salad ingredients to the bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Add lemon juice, vinegar and syrup and toss to coat.
- Enjoy - it's time to feel rejuvenated.
Nutrition
Alyssa,
Made this yesterday and was really good. Both my husband and I really liked it, but if felt it needed a bit more dressing. In your picture it looks to me that yours made a lot more than what mine did. I used the juice of 1 lemon and the 2 T of ACV and 1T of maple syrup as you suggested. It to me seemed like it wasn’t enough to cover all the ingredients. It seemed a bit dry. Did i miss something or do i just need to make more and add to it. Otherwise it was great.
Hmm maybe it was the size of the lemon! I’ll update the dressing ingredients to be a bit more specific 🙂 So glad you both enjoyed it though!!
Great salad! HUGE batch that we will gratefully eat up. I’m intrigued as to how it is 6-8 serving though 🙂 What is the size of 1 serving?
I was just wondering if you can use hemp powder instead of the kelp as I have some at home and also I out of dried blueberries but I do have a lot of other dried fruit what would you suggest that I used instead?
Thanks Alyssa I just love your website 😉
I do think you could use hemp powder. The taste might change a little, but it’s still good for you! For a dried fruit alternative, I’d do either cranberries or currants. Do you have either of those? Enjoy it!
Thanks Alyssa I will do so and let you know how it turn out! Have a good day Trish 😉
This looks fantastic. Only thing is that I don’t like broccoli or cauliflower raw — love both cooked for whatever reason, but raw it is just too bitter or something. Any suggestions for a good vegetable for substitution of this major contributor to this recipe? Roasted veggies ? Or would this kind of defeat the point of this raw salad…
Thanks! I am loving exploring your website!
Hi Marsha,
I’m not really sure about a good replacement as they’re the main part of this recipe. The point of the detox salad is that it’s raw and the ingredients are superfoods. I hate saying this, but I think this just might not be the salad for you if you’re not a fan of raw ingredients. You could try to roast them, and see how that works, I’m not just too sure about what texture would result. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help – would love to know if you try your own version! xo Alyssa
Suggest you blanch broccoli or cauliflower first. Dip into boiling water for no more than three minutes, pull out and rince with cold water. Doesn’t “cook” them, but breaks down some of the alkaline/bitter taste.
I made t his and love it. Today I’m making adouble batch. Instead of using Maple Syrup, used honey and Instead of using Kelp, I used Turmric. I heard that is good too. Yum~o. Thank you!!!
So happy you enjoyed it! I haven’t made this salad in a while, but your additions are making me want a huge bowl in front of me right now 🙂
All that work for detox? Green Tea and Prunes works just as good.
I wanted to try this salad because I’m trying to eat vegan and clean, little did I know that this salad would be amazing! I had my doubts but the way everything works together is magical! I really do feel amazing after I eat it. It’s filling and it satisfies my sweet tooth! Thanks for sharing!
Woo hoo!! That’s the greatest comment 🙂 I’m so happy you enjoy this salad. You’re making me crave it. Might just have to whip up a batch today! xo
Can I replace kale with spinach.?
You could try, but spinach doesn’t have as much texture as kale does, so I don’t know if it’s going to come out the same. If you don’t want to use kale, I would suggest another green like collard or chard over spinach. Enjoy!
this looks soooooo yummy and good for the body! thanks for sharing!
Thank you Shirley! Let me know if you try it 🙂
I guess I am missing something…where is the quinoa? Are you supposed to add everything in the recipe to some set amount of quinoa? Still, whats there does sound good with quinoa.
Hi Bill – no quinoa in this recipe. It’s simply veggies and veggies only 🙂
I first saw this salad on Pinterest…it is a wonderful and tasty salad, however after 2 days of eating it it seems to be reaking havoc on my digestive tract I mean awful awful stomach cramps. Is that something that would be normal? I am hoping that is the case being that I made a huge batch of it for the week lol. I also like the idea of using some kale in this version!
Hi Stephanie!
I can’t imagine why this salad would be making your stomach hurt so much! Could it be that it’s more veggies than you’re used to eating? Maybe it’s just the combination of all the things together? I would suggest trying to space out your meals over a few days. Try eating it one day and then skipping a day. See if that helps. Definitely keep me posted!!!
xo Alyssa
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage etc) can cause unpleasant tummy troubles for some people. Their complex carbs can lead to ‘grumblies’ as they pass undigested through the small intestine into the large intestine where they ferment and cause gas. Maybe try smaller quantities, give your body time to adjust to all that fiber. 🙂
Great tip Jennifer! Thanks for chiming in 🙂
Love this! What a fantastic way to get kale into my diet! Made a big batch and portioned it out to take for lunch all week. I used dried cranberries because that is what was in the pantry, increased the sunflower seeds as I had no almonds, added some red cabbage and it turned out great. I left the kelp out because it is one taste my palate will not accept. Might try it with a scoop of quinoa and see how that works. So glad I found you!
Thank you Jennifer!! I’m so happy you like the recipe – your tweaks sound great. I’m definitely going to have to try the red cabbage next time. And of course, quinoa makes everything better, so I say go for it! Happy lunching all week!! xo Alyssa
I’m pregnant and have been craving kale and quinoa (wierd I know). This salad looks great. I have never seenbought kelp powder before. Also, in your second paragraph of the recipe I think you say blow instead of bowl. We all know what you meant though 😉 Excited to try this!
Congrats on your pregnancy Theresa! Cravings are a funny thing, but at least you’re craving two of the best superfoods on earth! I found my kelp at our local natural foods store in the spice aisle. And THANK YOU for catching the typo – it helps that my readers also act as my proofers sometimes 🙂
Happy Friday!! xo Alyssa
Hey Theresa! I’m pregnant too and I just read that kale is one of the best foods you can eat for your baby (i eat tons of raw massaged kale salads) – packed with folate, iron, and apparently ridiculously high in Vitamin K. So good to know it’s that good for you. Plus delicious quinoa of course!
I love quinoa and am always looking for new ways to incorporate it into my meals. Will have to try this. Looks super healthy.
Please let me know how it turns out! I too love quinoa and enjoy finding new ways to incorporate it into my meals.
Where is the Quinoa in this salad?
This salad doesn’t have quinoa 🙂
I love the concept of superfoods and make a point to have at least one specifically superfood supper a week. I love how the meal stays with me. I’m going to try this recipe–it looks really good.
Thanks, Eileen! I try to eat a superfood at every single meal and it has much such a difference in my health. Let me know how the recipe is!
So where’s the quinoa in this detox salad recipe?