Salt & Wind Travel

Healthy Chopped Salad with Buttermilk-Peppercorn Dressing Recipe

Healthy Chopped Salad with Buttermilk-Peppercorn Dressing Recipe

I wish I knew about this salad so long ago. It’s inspired by a salad I found at M Cafe de Chaya that’s a bit fancier – with tempeh bacon, beets, and a vegan “Ranch” dressing. But, after spending way more than I should ever be spending on salads, I decided to make my own version, the Healthy Chopped Salad with Buttermilk-Peppercorn Dressing recipe.

And now? Now, it goes with me everywhere. It’s a vegetarian take on a chopped salad that’s hearty enough to be a meal and substantial enough to be touted from the airport to your next road trip or next picnic. And the dressing? It’s a classic buttermilk dressing with such a flourish of peppercorns that it does that hot-cold, spicy-cool thing like a good raita. Know what I mean?

Go stock up on all your cooking essentials then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!

Aida Mollenkamp Vegetarian Chopped Salad V medium
Healthy Chopped Salad with Buttermilk-Peppercorn Dressing Recipe

Healthy Chopped Salad with Buttermilk-Peppercorn Dressing Recipe

I wish I knew about this salad so long ago. It's inspired by a salad I found at M Cafe de Chaya that's a bit fancier – with tempeh bacon, beets, and a vegan "Ranch" dressing. But, after spending way more than I should ever be spending on salads, I decided to make my own version, the Healthy Chopped Salad with Buttermilk-Peppercorn Dressing recipe. 
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 251 kcal

Ingredients
  

For The Pickled Carrots:

  • 6 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 pound carrots trimmed and sliced paper thin

For The Buttermilk Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

For The Salad:

  • 6 ounces spicy mixed greens such as baby spinach, tatsoi, arugula, frisée, and mustard greens
  • 1 handful roasted salted almonds or cashews
  • 1 medium firm-ripe avocado finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh cooked chickpeas (or one 16-ounce can)
  • 2 Persian cucumbers trimmed and sliced into half moons
  • 1 bunch radishes trimmed and sliced into half moons

Instructions
 

  • Make The Quick Pickled Carrots: Stir together 6 tablespoons of the vinegar, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1 teaspoon of the salt until well combined. Add the carrots and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until the carrots are sweet-sour pickle flavored, about 15 minutes. Drain off the pickling liquid and set aside.
  • Make The Buttermilk Dressing: Combine the Greek yogurt, buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the black pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon of the sugar in a medium nonreactive bowl and whisk until smooth and evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  • Serve The Chopped Salad: Place the greens in a large serving bowl (or individual bowls if you’d prefer) and arrange the pickled carrots, almonds, avocado, chickpeas, cucumber, and radishes on top. Drizzle with a few spoonfuls of the dressing and serve.

PERSONAL NOTES

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 1259mgPotassium: 723mgFiber: 6gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 10095IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Bright Salad, california salad, Easy salad, vegetarian salad
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!

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