This Crunchy Rainbow Salad is an array of color, flavor and texture. Combining crunchy cabbage, celery, radish and cucumber tossed together with tender lettuce and vibrant, sunny citrus segments. The colorful salad is dressed in a simple Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette that layers in earthy brightness. Optional mix-ins of buttery olives, zingy pepperoncini, crunchy nuts and creamy cheese finish the salad with big, bold flavor.

Say Goodbye to Sad, Limp Salads and Hello to This Crunchy Rainbow Salad

Is there anything more disappointing than a limp and lifeless salad drowning in dressing? It almost feels offensive, especially when there are so many great crispy, crunchy ingredients just begging to be tossed together and transformed into a salad! This Crunchy Rainbow Salad takes the textural cake, bringing a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Not only that, this crispy salad is a feast for the eyes too! The range of ingredients creates a rainbow of colors that glow with glorious freshness. From the pretty purple hue of the cabbage to the warm golden glow of the citrus and the verdant green depth of the lettuce and celery.

The colorful ingredients cover a wide swathe of flavors as well. Bright and sunny citrus, earthy undertones of olives and shallots, refreshing cucumber, rich and creamy cheese, and toasty pistachios all hit the flavor highs. There is no such thing as a sad salad when this lively Crunchy Rainbow Salad is an option. 

This Colorful Salad is Loaded with Fresh CA GROWN Ingredients

Almost every ingredient in this multi-colored salad is grown in the Golden State. Which is no surprise since California farmers produce over 400 crops! Many of these are evergreen ingredients that can be found fresh all year round for a satisfying crunch. Even the olive oil used in the Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette comes from California. That’s the difference of choosing CA GROWN—it’s the Sound of Good.

Mix-ins & Toppings

• Toasted pistachios
• Feta or goat cheese crumbles
• Pepperoncini peppers or other preferred pickled peppers
• Olives

Obviously the best part about this Crunchy Rainbow Salad is the colorful, textural journey it takes you on. Another reason it’s such a fabulous salad is the adaptability aspect. Feel free to be flexible with the ingredients.

We use red cabbage in this recipe but green or Napa cabbage are equally great options. Carrots or broccoli could easily settle into this crunchy salad. Consider swapping grapefruit segments for the oranges. Or get wild with the mix-ins and toppings. Walnuts or almonds would be wonderful. Swap the crumbly cheese for shavings of Dry Jack or Sharp Cheddar. You really can’t go wrong.

This Crunchy Rainbow Salad Comes Together in 3 Easy Steps

1: Make the Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette

Mixing the vinaigrette first allows the flavors to mingle. The shallots will infuse the olive oil, the citrus will mellow the shallots, and the salt and pepper will enhance it all. Once mixed, the Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette can hang out while you prep the rest of the ingredients. 

2: Prep and Chop the Ingredients

For optimum crunch, this Crunchy Rainbow Salad requires a little chopping action. Once you get into a chop groove, it all comes together quickly. Start by chopping the cabbage, radish, cucumber, and celery. Toss them all in a big mixing bowl. Then chop the more tender lettuce leaves. The lettuce will be added at the end so it stays nice and crisp. 

3: Toss the salad together, top & serve

To mix the salad, start by tossing the cabbage, radish, cucumber, celery, pepperoncini peppers and olives together with the Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette. Allow the mix to sit for a few minutes. This will slightly soften those crispy veggies and to give the ingredients a moment to meld together. 

Then just before serving, toss in the lettuce to keep it ultra crisp. Top the salad with the oranges, crumbled cheese and toasted nuts. Serve immediately while nice and crisp!

Enjoy this Crunchy Rainbow Citrus Salad as a Meal or a Side

This easy, crunchy salad recipe can be served as a side or alone where it stands strong as a healthy and hardy meal. Pair it with some rustic sourdough or top it with your preferred protein to make it a full meal deal. Feed the whole family or set yourself up for a week of freshness with this easy Crunchy Rainbow Salad recipe. 

This Crunchy Rainbow Salad is a colorful array of crunch-tastic ingredients, vibrant colors, and contrasting flavors that all align in a rainbow of freshness.

Make an Edible Centerpiece

Before you break all of these ingredients down into a salad, consider creating an Edible Centerpiece to display at a gathering as you would a floral arrangement. Edible centerpieces put produce at the center of the table and the conversation so they are the perfect way to liven up your table for parties. After the party, break the arrangement down and mix up this Crunchy Rainbow Salad. Learn how to make an Edible Centerpiece.

NEED A PLAYLIST TO CHOP TO? CHECK OUT OUR CA GROWN SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS:

BE SURE TO SHARE YOUR RAINBOW SALAD MASTERPIECES WITH US BY SNAPPING A PIC AND TAGGING US ON SOCIAL USING #CAGROWN. 

Craving more CA GROWN goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!

About the Author, Becky Sue Wilberding, Baking the Goods

Want to Try More of Becky Sue’s Recipes?

Of course you do! We think you’ll love her Purple Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls, Roasted Carrot and Herby Feta Galette, Caramelized Fig and Walnut Bread, and her Candied Tangerine Mascarpone Tart. We also think you’ll love the recipes and edible centerpiece DIY featured on CA GROWN below.

Article, recipe, and photography by Becky Sue Wilberding of Baking The Goods @bakingthegoods.