Crunchy rainbow salad

Looking for a healthy, gluten-free, and low-calorie vegetarian recipe that’s packed with flavor and texture? This Crunchy Rainbow Salad is the perfect addition to your meal plan! It’s fresh, colorful, satisfying, and made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Whether you need a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a vibrant side dish, this salad is an excellent choice.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

✔ Nutrient-Dense – Packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant-based protein.

✔ Crunchy & Satisfying – A mix of crisp veggies, crunchy seed crackers, and toasted cashews.

✔ Gluten-Free & Low-Calorie – A perfect option for a healthy diet.

✔ Easy to Prepare – Ready in just 10 minutes!

Ingredients (Serves 2-3)

• 2 cups lettuce, chopped

• ½ cup julienned carrots

• ½ cup cooked quinoa

• ½ cup shredded purple cabbage

• ¼ cup crumbled homemade seed crackers (see note below)

• ¼ cup toasted cashews

How to Make Crunchy Rainbow Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Cook the quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool.

• Wash and chop the lettuce, shred the purple cabbage, and julienne the carrots.

• Toast the cashews in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and pepper until well combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine lettuce, quinoa, carrots, and purple cabbage.

• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

• Top with crumbled seed crackers and toasted cashews for extra crunch.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!

• Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

FAQs

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the ingredients and store them separately. Combine them just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.

2. What can I use instead of seed crackers?

If you don’t have homemade seed crackers, you can use store-bought gluten-free crackers, crumbled nuts, or even toasted chickpeas for extra crunch.

3. Is this salad good for meal prep?

Absolutely! Store the salad ingredients separately from the dressing and mix them together when ready to eat.

4. Can I add protein to this salad?

Yes! If you want to make it more filling, try adding grilled tofu, chickpeas, or a boiled egg.

5. What other dressings can I use?

A simple balsamic vinaigrette or a tahini dressing would also work well with this salad.

This Crunchy Rainbow Salad is a healthy low-calorie vegetarian recipe that’s easy, delicious, and full of nutrients! Try it out and let me know in the comments how you liked it!

Looking for more healthy gluten-free dinner recipes? Check out our Easy Dinner Recipes and Ideas section for more inspiration!

Have you tried this healthy salad? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram @thegreenhealthyfamily—I’d love to see your creations! 💚✨