Meal Prep Detox Salad
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This meal prep detox salad combines quinoa, edamame, kale, cabbage and apple with a delicious sesame ginger dressing. It’s packed with plant-based protein and perfect for traveling or an office lunch! Vegan + gluten-free.
I talk about my love for salad all the time, but today’s meal prep detox salad is a little different for a couple of reasons 1. It’s 100% plant-based and 2. It’s packable so it’s perfect for an on-the-go lunch.
Whether you’re planning a summer road trip and want to be prepared with a healthy option to enjoy on the drive or simply looking to pack a nutritious lunch for the office, this crunchy detox salad is going to be just the thing to pack in your tote bag.
It’s loaded with fresh, crunchy cruciferous veggies (like kale and cabbage) that are packed with nutrients (source). Along with all the veggies, there’s a trio of plant-based protein toppings – quinoa, edamame and almonds.
The apple chunks and sesame ginger dressing add a hint of sweetness while the creaminess from the avocado ties the whole salad together perfectly. I don’t know what it is about this combo, but I’m hooked and will definitely be making this salad again and again.
Ingredients Needed
- quinoa – When it comes to cooking quinoa to use for salad, it’s the same process as normal, but I like to make my quinoa a day in advance, let it cool and chill it in the fridge overnight and then use it for the salad the next day.
- green cabbage – it adds a crunchy texture and is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber (source).
- kale – pairs really well with all the other ingredients and is a hearty leafy green that holds up well. I used curly kale, but feel free to use any variety.
- edamame – if you’re new to edamame it’s a green, immature soybean that is high in plant-based protein (1 cup has about 18 grams), fiber and vitamins. It’s also a good source of healthy fat and antioxidants while being low in calories and cholesterol (source). I recommend buying shelled edamame for this salad so you don’t have to worry about de-shelling it before making the salad. Just boil, drain and enjoy!
- apple – adds a nice sweetness and some more crunch to this salad! I love using Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples but feel free to use your favorite variety.
- almonds – provides healthy fats, more plant-based protein and fiber (source). I used raw almonds, but feel free to use roasted and salted almonds if that’s what you have on hand.
- avocados – for some creaminess and more healthy fats.
- sriracha – this is optional, but I found that a bit of sriracha pairs so well with everything in this salad.
- sesame ginger dressing – the star of the show here and adds so much flavor! This dressing is made by blending olive oil, rice vinegar, tamari, sesame oil, maple syrup, garlic, ginger and black pepper together until smooth and creamy.
How to Make
Cook quinoa: Rinse and drain quinoa. Add quinoa and water to a saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Cook edamame: If you haven’t already, cook edamame according to package instructions.
Blend dressing: Make dressing by adding all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blending until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
To serve right away: In a large bowl add cooled and cooked quinoa, cabbage, kale, edamame, apple and almonds. Toss to combine. Pour dressing over salad and toss again. Portion into bowls and serve with avocado and a drizzle of sriracha if desired.
To meal prep: Add all ingredients into a glass container in rows with the dressing separated. Once ready to enjoy, drizzle on dressing, mix well and top with avocado and sriracha if desired.
Customize Your Salad
- Vegetables: Swap out some or all of the veggies depending on what you have on hand. Some ideas that would pair nicely with this salad: corn, red onion, cucumber, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, bell peppers, green onions and radishes would work well.
- Greens: You can swap the kale with your favorite leafy green of choice, but kale is my preferred option especially for meal prep as it holds up best over a few days!
- Herbs: I love adding fresh herbs to my dishes. They really elevate the flavors! Cilantro pairs well with the ingredients in this salad, but Thai basil, parsley, chives or lemon balm would also be great options.
- Protein: This salad is already packed with plant-based protein, but if you want even more you can add tofu, tempeh or chickpeas. These air fryer chickpeas would be a nice addition for more crunch.
- Seeds & nuts: Feel free to swap the almonds with another nut or seed like pistachios, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds or cashews. All will be delicious and add a good amount of protein!
- Dressing: I personally love this sesame ginger dressing for this salad, but here are some other ideas that would pair well with this salad: chili almond dressing, peanut dressing or garlic tahini dressing.
How to Meal Prep
As I mentioned above, this is the perfect packable salad for on-the-go lunches so it’s great for meal prep! Plus, there’s no reheating necessary so you can bring it camping or on a road trip. This salad will stay fresh for 4-5 days in an airtight storage container. I would just suggest keeping the dressing separate and not adding the avocado until serving.
To meal prep: Add all the ingredients to glass storage containers with lids in rows with the dressing separated. Once ready to enjoy, drizzle on the dressing, mix well and top with avocado and sriracha if desired.
More Salad Recipes
- Kale Detox Salad
- Jennifer Aniston Salad
- Easy Quinoa Salad
- Garlicky Kale Salad
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad
- Kale Caesar Salad with Shrimp
- Asian Edamame Salad
- How to Make a Mason Jar Salad
- Sunflower Crunch Salad
More Meal Prep Recipes
- Asian Noodle Bowl (for Meal Prep)
- Easy Salmon Meal Prep Bowl
- Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowl
- Maple Mustard Tempeh Meal Prep Bowls
- Tempeh Taco Salad Meal Prep Bowls
Be sure to check out all of the salad recipes as well as the full collection of meal prep recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Meal Prep Detox Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked white quinoa
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 3 cups green cabbage, chopped
- 3 cups kale, chopped
- 1 12 oz bag shelled edamame, cooked
- 1 large apple, cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 2 avocados
- sriracha, optional
Sesame Ginger Dressing
- 6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons tamari
- 1 ½ Tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1-2 large cloves of garlic
- 1-2" knob fresh ginger
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse and drain quinoa. Add quinoa and water to a saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- While quinoa is cooking cook edamame if you haven't already according to package instructions.
- Make dressing by adding all ingredients to a blender and blending until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- To serve right away: In a large bowl add cooled and cooked quinoa, cabbage, kale, edamame, apple and almonds. Toss to combine. Pour dressing over salad and toss again. Portion into bowls and serve with avocado and a drizzle of sriracha if desired.
- To meal prep salad: Add all ingredients to glass storage containers in rows with the dressing separated. Once ready to enjoy, drizzle on dressing, mix well and top with avocado and sriracha if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Wow — I love these containers (and that dressing looks amazing!)… I have not seen this actual container so if I don’t win I will be getting one for sure!
I pack a kale salad every day for lunch and this would be a perfect container to use! TJs just came out with a new kale salad mix with shredded beats and carrots which is my to go to at the moment!
I’ve been eyeing these new Rubbermaid containers! They look awesome! And what looks just as awesome is that salad! I’m swooning over how delicious the dressing looks/sounds!
I currently pack salads all week long. I use like 5 different containers so that things stay fresh. This container looks amazing!! Winning this would be a lunch changing opportunity for my little family. I am sure it would result in me needing a few more because like I said we are serious salad preppers. Please choose us so we can give this a test run! Thank you for all of your awesome recipes. Your blog is wonderful.
-Candice
Wow! What a great recipe and container system. I often have many small containers to hold many snacks and lunch. I will have to check this out. Thanks!
Looks so fresh, energizing and delicious!!! Brittany and Rubbermaid, two of my favorites joining forces! How awesome:):):) Would love to win to tote my meals to school and work and never have to worry about a spill or mess.
LOVE the salad and the containers would fit perfectly in my office refrigerator. I am currently using baggies and tossing it into a bowl on the day I eat it. But I TOTALLY agree one cannot have TOO many salad recipes!
Wow!Always looking for healthy food to take for lunch. Planning to give your salad a try! And love the rubbermaid container. It’s so perfect! I love your recipes! They taste so clean & yummy & fit my new OptaVia healthy lifestyle! Thanks for all your great ideas!
This recipe sounds great. I try to bring my lunch as often as possible. #eatingbirdfood
I pack a lunch to bring to work everyday so having good containers to put it all in is key. Not to mention, every time I make lunch for my boyfriend, my supply seems to decline because they don’t seem to make their way back home. #Boys
I absolutely love your grapefruit and hearts of palm salad. I’ve made it numerous times and everyone always comments how delicious it is! This crunchy detox salad also sounds delicious and is one I will have to try for sure! You always have the best salads =)