This summer detox salad recipe is packed with fresh vegetables, detox vegetables, and a rainbow of delicious ingredients to help support your detoxification system. Perfect for healthy eating all year round!

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Salad For Summer Detox

As a nutrition consultant and chef, I’m always asked for easy, delicious ways to reset after a weekend of indulgence or to stay light during those hot months when heavy meals just don’t hit the spot. Enter: the summer detox salad — the perfect salad to nourish your body, support your gut health, and satisfy your taste buds all at once.

Contrary to popular belief, detoxing isn’t about deprivation or drinking green sludge for a single day. Real detox happens when you nourish your body with whole, nutrient-rich foods that naturally support your liver, flush out free radicals, and help restore balance. This chopped detox salad recipe is built to do exactly that — providing plenty of dietary fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants to cleanse and energize from the inside out. For more inspiration, check out this Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette for another healthy twist!

Ingredients For Summer Detox Salad

Butter Lettuce – Light, crisp, and hydrating, butter lettuce adds a delicate crunch.
Fennel – Brings a fresh, slightly licorice flavor and aids digestion.
Asparagus – A powerhouse of dietary fiber and antioxidants for gut health.
Radicchio—Bitter yet beautiful, it balances the salad with color, helps stimulate digestion, and is perfect for detox.
Watermelon Radish—Vibrant and peppery, this root vegetable offers a hint of sweetness and crunch and has excellent detoxification properties.
Red Bell Pepper – Packed with vitamin C and adds a burst of juicy sweetness.
Mint – Fresh herbs like mint brighten the flavors and offer soothing digestion support.
Endive – Slightly bitter and crunchy, endive helps create the perfect salad balance.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This crunchy detox salad recipe is the ultimate feel-good dish. It has the perfect balance of flavors: crisp, sweet, bitter, and herbaceous. Whether you’re detoxing after a festive Christmas night, a weekend road trip, or just adjusting your eating habits for the new year, this salad is a delicious way to nourish your body without sacrificing taste.

Looking for more ideas? Here’s a great Easy Citrus Kale Salad packed with similar fresh goodness.

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Did you know?

Your body is already a detoxing machine!
Your liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system are running the ultimate 24/7 spa treatment — no appointment needed, no juice cleanse required.

But here’s the twist: while your body can detox on its own, it thrives when you support it with nutrient-rich foods, plenty of water, sleep, and movement.

Think of it like this — your liver is the CEO of detox, but even CEOs need a solid team (hello leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, garlic, turmeric, and fiber) to keep the business booming!

How to Make Summer Detox Salad

Wash and chop all fresh vegetables: butter lettuce, fennel, asparagus, radicchio, watermelon radish, red bell pepper, mint, and endive.
In a large bowl, combine all the chopped vegetables and herbs.
Drizzle with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, a hint of maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and black pepper, or make this fresh mint vinaigrette.
Give it a good toss until everything is coated evenly.
Serve immediately or let it chill in a mason jar for the next day — the flavors will only get better!

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap watermelon radish for red or green cabbage for a similar crunchy texture.
Use green onions or red onions instead of fennel for a sharper flavor.
Add curly kale, shredded Brussels sprouts, or fresh parsley to bulk it up.
Top with pumpkin, hemp, raw almonds, or sunflower seeds for healthy fats and extra crunch.
Use Meyer lemon or regular fresh lemon juice.

Health Benefits (for Women’s Health)

Butter Lettuce: A light leafy green packed with water and dietary fiber, great for hydration and digestion.
Fennel: Supports gut health and helps reduce bloating, a common issue in hormonal imbalances.
Asparagus: A natural diuretic that flushes out excess water and supports liver detox pathways.
Radicchio: High in antioxidants and Vitamin K, this bitter green supports bone health and liver detox.
Watermelon Radish: Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants to support the immune system.
Red Bell Pepper: A great source of Vitamin C and carotenoids, which can help fight free radicals.
Mint: Aids digestion and can help ease hormonal headaches.
Endive: High in fiber and known for promoting healthy gut bacteria.

Why This Salad Is Great for Detox

This salad is a nutrient powerhouse designed to naturally support your body’s detoxification process. Each ingredient was chosen for its ability to help your body flush out toxins, reduce inflammation, and boost gut health. From the antioxidant-rich radicchio and vitamin C-packed red bell pepper to fiber-loaded asparagus and endive, every bite helps clean your system. Adding healthy fats from olive oil and seeds allows your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. At the same time, fresh herbs like mint and parsley offer detoxifying plant compounds. Whether you’re rebooting after a heavy meal, the holiday season, or just looking for a fresh start on your wellness journey, this crunchy detox salad recipe is a delicious way to nourish your body and fuel your cells. For more detox recipes, check out this Spring Detox Smoothie Recipe With Cilantro for another dose of greens.

Chef Angie’s Tips

The best part about this salad is the crunch! Use a food processor with a slicing attachment to get perfectly uniform thin cuts.
For a hint of sweetness, drizzle with a little maple syrup.
Make the citrus avocado dressing with olive oil, fresh herbs, and apple cider vinegar for the perfect balance of creamy and tangy.
Toss in some diced chicken breast or brown rice for a heartier meal.
Always taste and adjust the sea salt and black pepper to balance out the bitter greens.
Want more flavor ideas? The Roasted Strawberry Vinaigrette With Summer Salad is a creative dressing option perfect for warm days.

Ways to Serve

Serve as a light side dish for spicy tuna rolls.
Make it the star of your Monday night dinner, or prep it for the next week.
Pair it with good protein, such as chicken or salmon.
Pack it in a mason jar for a road trip or a picnic.
Pair with grilled chicken salad for a healthy meal.
Layer it into hearty salads with Brussels sprouts and curly kale for a slightly different twist.
Pair with homemade lemonade, like this Pineapple Cucumber Lemonade with Basil , for the ultimate summer vibe and a drink that also helps with detox.

Storage

Store this great salad in an airtight container in the fridge.
Keep the dressing separate in a small bowl or mason jar and add right before serving.

Equipment

Large bowl for tossing
Food processor for chopping veggies
Sharp knife
Small bowl or mason jar for dressing
Salad spinner for washing fresh veggies

FAQ for Summer Detox Salad

Q: What’s the best way to keep this crunchy detox salad fresh for the next day? A: Store it in an airtight container and separate the dressing until you’re ready to eat. This will maintain the crunchy texture and bright flavors.

Q: Can I use olive oil in the dressing? A: Absolutely! Olive oil is loaded with healthy fats that help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins and balance blood sugar.

Q: What if I don’t have watermelon radish? A: Substitute regular radish, green cabbage, or red cabbage. Both will give you that crunchy texture and support your immune system.

Q: Can I add protein to make it a complete meal? A: Yes! Add cooked chicken breast, tofu, or brown rice to turn this detox salad into a satisfying, healthy meal.

Q: Can I make the dressing creamy? A: Definitely. A citrus avocado dressing made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and fresh herbs is a great way to add creaminess without dairy.

Q: What makes this a “detox” salad? A: This chopped salad is packed with fresh vegetables, dietary fiber, and ingredients that support liver function, gut health, and hormone balance — the perfect salad for anyone looking to clean up their daily diet.

Q: Is this salad good for meal prep? A: Yes, it’s a great time-saver! Chop the vegetables in advance, store them in a big bowl, and add the dressing just before serving. This crunchy detox salad recipe is also ideal for a next-day lunch.

This Best Summer Fruit Salad is another great detoxifying salad seasonal goodness you can enjoy daily.

For more inspiration on making light, fresh dishes, explore this Cucumber Radish Salad with Fresh Dill for another refreshing option.

More Summer Recipes

Best Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Gluten-Free Key Lime Bars

Classic Virgin Mojito Mocktail

Pineapple Ginger Ale Mocktail

Chicken Drumsticks With Chimichurri Sauce
Dragon Fruit Lemonade

Roasted Strawberries Vinaigrette – Summer Salad

Pineapple Cucumber Lemonade With Basil

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

Cucumber Radish Salad With Fresh Dill

Polish Tomato and Dill Pickles Salad

Polish Young/New Potatoes With Dill

No-Bake Peach Cheesecake (Polish Sernik na Zimno)

Polish Sorrel Soup With Hard Boiled Egg (Zupa Szczawiowa)

Grilled Peaches With Balsamic Vinegar

Summer Fruit salad

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37298743

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36803269