Whew. I don’t know about you, but we ate like kings this weekend, and now I’m in need of a healthy reset.
Solution? This salad.
This may appear to be just another salad, but don’t be fooled.
It requires just 5 minutes and 1 bowl to make, and the dressing doesn’t require mixing! Oh yeah.
It’s literally a lazy cook’s dream: Dump a bunch of ingredients in a bowl and call it a meal. And it’s healthy! Does it get any better than that?
I created this salad after a spree of testing dessert recipes for the holidays. And after one too many cookies, I was in need of some greens. This did the trick.
A bed of greens is topped with veggies, sunflower seeds, ripe avocado for healthy fats, and dried cranberries for a little sweetness. Then drizzle on tahini, lemon, and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. It makes the salad taste so delicious + the no mixing means one less dish to clean up.
To add more protein to this salad, serve with cooked (and cooled) quinoa, baked chickpeas, or additional sunflower seeds.
If you try this easy, 5-minute salad, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
5-Minute Green Salad with No-Mix Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
SALAD
- ~8 cups mixed greens or roughly chopped kale (I mixed both)
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 3-4 medium radishes (thinly sliced)
- 1 Tbsp roasted unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1 medium ripe avocado (thinly sliced)
- 2-3 Tbsp dried cranberries (or other fruit // optional)
DRESSING
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium lemons, juiced (~1/4 cup or 60 ml as original recipe is written)
- 1 healthy pinch each sea salt + black pepper
Instructions
- Add the greens to a large serving bowl and top with red onion, radishes, sunflower seeds, avocado, and dried cranberries (optional).
- Next, drizzle on tahini and olive oil and squeeze on lemon juice (no need to mix beforehand! The separation makes for more enhanced individual flavors + 1 less dish). Season with salt and pepper, and toss gently before serving.
- Best when fresh, though leftovers keep (undressed) up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
m says
no need to massage the kale??
It’s not essential, but you can for a more tender result!
Lily says
So simple and delicious! Thank you xx
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Lily! Thank you for sharing!
Dana C. says
Yum!! I added some boiled and shredded chicken for more protein. Everything mixed together was the perfect blend of flavors and textures.
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Dana! xo
missi weinhart says
This salad was really, really good and I loved that the dressing was not made beforehand. I skipped the cranberries and subbed cherry tomatoes and cucumber. I served it with Vegan Moussaka and it was heaven on a plate. The only thing I would change is that next time I will make a couple of extra portions because it was that good.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Missi! Love that combo. Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Kathy Vetro says
I loved this! I was making your Peanut Butter Overnight Oats recipe for tomorrow’s mid day snack when I decided to peruse your salads. This dressing was delicious and more filling than the vinaigrette dressings I usually make. I added a little balsamic vinegar in addition to the lemon for a little extra kick and sweetness. I will definitely keep making this one.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Kathy. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Leta says
Absolutely love this salad! I added a bit of maple in the dressing- really delicious. Thanks, Dana!
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Leta. Thanks so much for sharing!
Laura Koss says
I am obsessed with this salad. It’s savory, crunchy and satisfying beyond belief. I eat it as a main dish. :)
Yay! So glad you enjoy it, Laura! xo
Nicole says
This is wonderful! I want to eat this every day. Very easy to throw together and satisfying. I added some tomatoes also just because I had them.
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Nicole. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! Xo
Nicole says
For sure! I don’t see a way to edit but 5 STARS for sure for anyone reading this.
Thanks Nicole!
Kristyn Harvey says
This has become one of my family’s favorite salads. We use it as a side salad and it lasts a couple nights. The optional cranberries make all the difference! Another great recipe!
We’re so glad you and your family enjoy it, Kristyn! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sammy says
Hi Dana! I love your website (probably half of what I cook is your recipes). Which is why it makes me a little sad when you use diet culture language like “detox” or “cleansing” in your recipes. It just implies that some other food we put in our body makes us “dirty” or “unclean” — which I’m sure isn’t your intention! Just thought it might be something to think about for future recipes :) Thanks for listening!
Hi Sammy! I agree and this recipe is on our list to revisit in terms of naming. We appreciate the feedback!
Hailey says
So good! I used Bitten Poppy Seed dressing instead because I didn’t have tahini and it was amazing!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Hailey! Thanks for sharing!
Paige Tamm says
Hi! My husband insists on loads of protein always- I’ve finally convinced him of the protein in quinoa. Do you think quinoa would be a good a addition? Or would it make it too heavy?
I’ve made this salad a million times in the past and it is SOOO good.
I think it could be nice! What about adding crispy chickpeas instead?
Manghi says
Healthy n easy to make??
Thanks, Manghi!
Michelle says
I made this recipe and it was really quick and simple as promised. The “bite” and tang of the dressing in contrast to the dried cranberries was great. I need to make a quick meal today so i think I will make this again. It is delicious.
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Michelle! Thanks for sharing! xo
Amy says
This is a damn fine salad. Always looking for new ones that fill me up and this fits the bill. The OCD person in me does mix the dressing – and if it needs thinning, I just add a little water. Have made with and without the onions – great either way. Have also added peas, which was good, too. I’ve made it as a main dish for my husband and I when the kid wants mac and cheese and he very much enjoys it. Thanks for another winner, Dana!
Lindsey says
Simply YUM!!! I just finished a big bowl of this deliciousness. My only change was instead of evoo I used maple syrup. I ate at a Mediterranean restaurant last night which of course means lots of evoo. My stomach has been telling me about it all day. Bleh! I love not mixing the dressing ingredients. Every bite was different. I’ll probably eat this again tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing your ingredient swap, Lindsey! We are glad you enjoyed this salad!
Khan says
Hie! Can we replace avacado with something else in case of non availability ?
Yes, feel free to use another veggie of choice.
Peter says
Thank you. I made this recipe for my friends and they were very happy with it. I love how it is both super fast to make, and healthy.
AmberEm says
Which brand of tahini do you use, Dana??
We can’t even remember, but any brand will work! Happy Cooking!
Sha says
I just made the dressing with a little tweaking; a wee bit of raw honey & a few drops of raw sesame seed oil. Thanks for posting this dressing. I am not a fan of tahini dressing, but this, i love this dressing. Thanks so much for posting!
Danny says
OMG! I was surprised how delicious this salad is.. this is so quick and easy and so yummy that it will definitely become a staple for me like many of your other wonderful recipes! Thank you <3 finally a salad that makes me excited to eat salad haha.
Kami Lee says
Delicious! Love the mix of flavors
Kathy says
Oh my goodness! I have had this salad 3 times in the last 2 days! YUMMMMM. I love how healthy it is, and not having to pre-mix the dressing ingredients is amazing! A new favorite. You never disappoint!
Lyrica says
Do you refrigerate your tahini? I do with mine and it’s not very drizzle-able. I tried mixing it with water to make it thinner but it still all clumped together.
Yes I refrigerate!
Vlatka Pavisic says
Detox salad as tasty and as fullfilling as a bowl of ice-cream ! I’m making this every week, it’s so refreshing and nourishing… Thank you, Dana !
Katie says
This was so good! I love avocado in salads, and it goes so well with all the other veggies :) One of the best salads I’ve ever made!
Kami Lee says
I made this today and it was delightful! I love the combo of flavors and textures. I put pear in as my fruit options. :) Thank you for all of the creative recipes!
Brande says
HI Dana,
Can I use something to replace the onion or just omit it? I have digestive issues and onions aggravate them.
Hi! No worries, just leave out the onion on this one! Enjoy!
Ali Paulsen says
Phenomenal! I added spiralized carrot and just a tad less lemon juice than called for, and my boyfriend is still raving about how it’s the best salad he’s ever had. So filling too!
Nicole says
Can you use anything in place of the lemon? I’m allergic to citrus. :(
Nicole says
I’d expect any vinegar would work. I’d go withany of the following: rice wine, white balsamic or apple cider
Edwina | TheEquippedCook.com says
Just made this and it was delicious. Loved the dressing. Really nice to have a fresh salad after all the cookies in December!
Annabelle says
Thanks for sharing! Looks yummy!
x Annabelle
Jaime L. says
After indulging in many treats, including your delicious biscotti and staple cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing (that my family couldn’t believe were vegan!), I needed a little reset. I stocked up on everything I need to make the green smoothie you posted and this salad. SO SIMPLE AND SCRUMPTIOUS! This is my first time trying tahini, and the flavor complements everything perfectly!
Dana, thanks for having all the recipes I need to entertain my family for Christmas AND take care of myself :)
Sarah | Well and Full says
This salad looks like exactly what I need right now. I wasn’t THAT bad with the Christmas cookies; my weakness is chips and snacks!! ;)
Leah says
Just made this for lunch. So YUMMY! Thank you Dana!!!
Sara @ Last Night's Feast says
This looks amazing!
Tori//Gringalicious.com says
Yay for detox salads right now! Yes, after all the holiday treats this is just what the doctor ordered!
Kristina M says
Every week I cook one meal on Sunday (usually one from your blog or cookbook) to eat on each day at work. This is the winner this week and I’m enjoying it! I’m a surgeon and mom of three so easy meals are great! Planning ahead ensures I stay healthy :) thanks for all you do for me but never know it!
Mary says
Looks yum! Thank you. I may add some quinoa to make it a bit more hardy! ;)
Lisa Bryan | Downshiftology says
Sounds amazing and exactly what I need right now after indulging a wee bit too much for the last week!
Jenny says
Looks yummy! I have a couple of clementines kicking around, so I plan to throw those in as well! Thank-you for a wonderful blog, and an AMAZING cookbook. One of my “go-to’s” always!
❤?
Channing C says
I so need this after the past couple of days, I’ve eaten myself sick lol
Brittany says
This is right up my alley!!
Whitney says
me too! <3
nursermk says
It looks good after all that holiday heaviness, and I appreciate the one bowl prep. But…Yikes! 25% of a salad serving is 23+ gms of fat? Also I believe calorie estimates are a misprint? May try it with a little less Tahini/Olive oil and 1/2 Avocado. Thank you for the recipe, it is a nice easy one with stuff I have on hand.
Avocado + tahini + olive oil is HEALTHY fat! But if you want to reduce, omit the oil!
nursermk says
Thank you, I do know, but am a little more stealthy about my fat intake overall so I will follow your suggestion and cut the oil. Much appreciated!
Whitney says
you could also do half an avocado instead of a full one too. I find that’s usually my max or else I’m too full.
Emma says
It seems you lixed up the nutrition – I don’t think 23,2 g of calories is right, haha!
I am definitely trying this, it sounds delicious and great for my minimal kitchen.
Fixed!
Caroline says
Oh looks so good! Love when the recipes are simple and takes no time! Thanks for a great blog!!
McKel Hill says
Yum yum yum! Love the lemon tahini dressing – I’m going to have to whip that up!