This super healthy Summer Detox Salad is filled with kale, broccoli, fresh berries and almonds. It’s topped with a “lick your plate” worthy citrus basil vinaigrette for the ultimate summer side dish! 
Healthy Summer Salad with Citrus Basil Vinaigrette
That moment your husband makes dinner, gives you just a tease of taste, and your mouth drops in amazement!
Yup, that happened to me the other day … actually on Mothers Day to be exact!
Mike asked me what I wanted for Mothers Day and I said, “all I want is a dinner cooked by my two main men … daddy and Cason.” —–> so that is what he did.
Him and Cason watched an episode of Bobby Flay (because they know he is my favorite) went out, purchased all the ingredients, and made me dinner!
It was absolutely amazing! He made Fish Tacos with a Napa Cabbage Slaw and a Roasted Tomato Crema that was to die for! He may have set the new standard for fish tacos in this house!
While he was making all the deliciousness he let me try the first piece of his dish… this Citrus Basil Vinaigrette.
He came up to me, sauce on his finger and said “what do you think?”
Ya’ll I cannot describe the intense shock that was on my face. I tried to hide it .. but I couldn’t. This sauce was absolutely amazing… I KNEW I had to make it again … and guess what. It is the dressing the accompanies this Detox Summer Salad!
SOOOO… even if you don’t like kale … broccoli or anything else in this salad … the dressing will make it all worth while!
Although, call me biased, but I think you’re gonna like the salad too. 🙂
Tips for Making This Summer Detox Salad
The key to a good kale salad is to massage the leaves before you eat them. What do I mean by that?
Well, sprinkle a little bit of course sea salt on the already torn leaves and start rubbing them together. You will notice that they will start to turn more of a forest green color AND become more fragrant. That’s when you know you’re done.
Massaged kale still has a bit of a bite, but definitely not as much if it were straight off the stalk.
I love kale salad because it holds it form … it doesn’t wilt under the “dressing” pressure. 🙂 This Detox Summer Salad is filled with all kinds of goodies! Hearty Kale, fiber packed Broccoli, sweet Strawberries, Blueberries loaded with antioxidants, and crunchy Almonds. Basically you’re gonna be a walking vitamin if you eat this salad … best part is this Salad is DELICIOUS!!!
HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND!
Bon Appetit my friends!
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This super healthy Summer Detox Salad is filled with kale, broccoli, fresh berries and almonds. It’s topped with a “lick your plate” worthy citrus basil vinaigrette for the ultimate summer side dish!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of kale leaves, massaged
- 1 cup strawberries, quartered
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 granny smith apple, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Citrus Basil Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup canola oil
Instructions
- In a small food processor add lemon juice, orange juice, dijon mustard, basil leaves, pepper, and canola oil. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
- To a large bowl add, kale, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, apples, green onions, and almonds.
- Serve salad with dressing on the side.
Notes
Citrus Basil Vinaigrette from Bobby Flay
Keywords: citrus vinaigrette, basil vinaigrette, summer salad, summer salad recipe, best summer salad, easy summer salad, healthy salad, healthy salad recipe, best salad recipe
IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT #JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!
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Looks like you also added green apple slices. Great way to add extra crunch. Love that addition to the berries!
Thanks so much Brandy!
This looks so tasty – can’t wait to try it- is the lemon juice fresh squeezed?
Yes mam’ sure is fresh squeezed. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the salad Karen!
This looks amazing. But I keep looking at the photo and the ingredient list–are those apples in there?
Yup, sure are. That is so weird. I remembering type it in, I guess the computer just decided not to save it. I just updated it Tina! Thanks for the catch!
I’m going to make this on Sunday. It looks like the perfect Summer salad. What does “massaged” mean – referring to the kale? Thanks! Trish Pines
Awesome Trish! For the kale, you’re basically putting the leaves in your hands and rubbing them to break down the “toughness” of it a bit. The color of the leaves will turn forest green and they will start to become fragrant, that’s how you know your on the right track.
Such a great combination of ingredients! Love this!
Thank you Cathy!
I have some fresh kale in my garden ready to be harvested! Now I know how to use it!
so fun! I wish I had Kale in my garden!
I love all the ingredients you used in this salad! Tons of crunchy, healthy goodness!
Woot Woot … it’s one bomb of a salad! YUMM-O!
That vinaigrette looks divine!
Thanks Matthew! It totally IS divine!
Girl this salad looks Ah-mazing! I cannot wait to try it!
Thanks Meg! You’ll love it!
A nice home-cooked meal by your loved ones is probably the best Mother’s Day present there ever is! The meal that they cooked for you sounds amazing! And I definitely have to try this dressing and salad! They sound delicious!
It totally is… especially because he doesn’t cook a whole lot. It was so special! 🙂 You’ll love this dressing girl .. AND the salad!
HIGH FIVE HUBBY!!! Lucky girl!! I get spaghetti from mine… haha 😀
This salad though. Yassss! Detox or not, I’ll take it all!
Right! Best present ever! You’ll love this salad sweet friend, it’s perfect for the summer.
This looks so fresh and satisfying! Love a good summer salad and anything with basil – yum!
Thanks Maris! 🙂
What a great salad. I love all the fresh produce and lighter meals in the summer–but tons of cookouts means lots of junk as well. This is great!
Exactly, so counter act that “junk” with this salad! PERFECT!
I can’t wait to try this salad! I love kale salads for the same reason…I make one that my daughter loves, and dress it, and it lasts us all week and never wilts! And what a great Mother’s Day gift…even better that you loved everything they made!
Woohoo! Yeah for strong hearty salads that don’t wilt under the pressure. 🙂
This is just gorgeous! I looooove broccoli in my salads! It adds such a great crunch and really keeps you feeling so full and satiated! I may make a double batch of that dressing for the whole week!
Thank you Caroline! The dressing is drink worthy… soo good! And totally agree with you on the broccoli front, it is filling and delicious!