Easy Celebration Salad

I love boring, bland salads, said nobody ever, and that’s why this easy celebration salad will likely become your go-to recipe. Chock full of flavor, texture, and colors, this is a salad that delights your eyes AND your tastebuds.

Let’s Start With The Dressing

I confess to being a salad dressing snob. Therefore, if you open our fridge, you won’t find a single bottle of store-bought salad dressing. Not even ranch, which every Ohioan I know loves. I like to make my own salad dressing because I’ve read the labels. And if I can’t pronounce it, I’m not eating it! But no worries if you’re short on time. This salad dressing calls for just five ingredients, which makes it super easy and quick to whip together. Sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil are all that’s needed. You can use any apple cider vinegar you choose. However, I love using Bragg apple cider vinegar. It’s unpasteurized and has a great taste that provides some zing.

This dressing is the perfect mix of sweet and savory to complement the rest of the salad ingredients. I like to pour half on the salad and offer the remaining dressing to anyone who wants to add a bit more. I personally feel half is plenty, though. If you have any leftover dressing, it stores well in the fridge! It’s also the perfect dressing to pour on several hours before your gathering. I actually recommend it, as the dressing really amps up the flavor the longer it’s on those leafy greens.

Easy Celebration Salad Ingredients

If you’ve been reading my blog for a bit, you know that I like to provide options when it comes to ingredients. So, for example, I have some friends who don’t like pungent onions, garlic, or shallots. If you feel the same, you can leave out the shallot in this recipe. Not a kale eater? You can substitute any dark and leafy greens instead, like spinach or a spring mix.

You can also use any nut mix in addition to the sunflower seeds listed. I typically use slivered almonds but I would definitely feel free to mix it up. The crunch of the nuts adds some great texture and protein. Have a favorite cheese? Any will work in this recipe. I personally like sharp cheddar, but I also think fresh Parmesan would also be amazing. I also love blueberries. However, any fresh berry would be delicious in this recipe.

See what I mean? Options galore!

Salad Dressing Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

For The Easy Celebration Salad

• 1 bunch of kale, fresh spinach, or other dark and leafy green, stems removed and leaves chopped or ripped
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 2/3 cup fresh blueberries (or any other sweet berry)
• 1/2 cup dried, low-sugar cranberries
• 1/2 cup any nut pieces (I used sliced almonds)
• 1/2 cup unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
• 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)

Directions

1. Make the dressing by whisking all ingredients together in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
2. Toss the greens, shallot, carrot, blueberries, cranberries, nuts, sunflower seeds, and cheese in a large bowl. 
3. Next, pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss again to coat.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Rewhisk any remaining dressing and serve on the side.

Take this salad to your next celebration and enjoy. Or just make it for your family, to serve alongside a more decadent dish, like this easy stovetop mac and cheese. You won’t forget it, or the experience of getting back together with the people you love!