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While I hate to be a part of the hype that the word “detox” inspires, it doesn’t hurt to provide our bodies with an abundant source of nutrients to continue to perform this essential function. Detoxification is a nutrient-dependent process — if we don’t provide our bodies what it needs to get the job done, this process suffers. Lucky for us, the Autoimmune Protocol supplies in great quantities the proteins and other nutrients needed for healthy detoxification!
In this salad, I’ve included lots of raw greens for folate to support methylation, beets for betaine, garlic and broccoli for sulphur, and an assortment of herbs and micro-greens to provide an antioxidant-rich punch. It is a fantastic way to love your liver, or just get a good dose of vegetables on your plate!
Combine the cilantro, watercress, microgreens, broccoli, and beets in a large bowl and toss to combine.
Place the olive oil, lemon juice, anchovies, and garlic in a blender and blend for 30 seconds or until fully combined.
Toss the dressing with the salad and add the avocado.
Notes
Note: If you are preparing this salad for later, keep the greens and dressing separate and add avocado fresh. Keeps for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Mickey Trescott is a founder of Autoimmune Wellness, the host of The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, and a co-creator and lead educator of AIP Certified Coach. She has been a leader in the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) movement since its earliest days and has been coaching clients in AIP implementation since 2013. She is also the creator of The Autoimmune Protocol, an educational platform dedicated to evidence-based resources, research, and guidance for people navigating autoimmune disease. After recovering from a severe autoimmune health crisis following diagnoses of celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (and later psoriatic arthritis), Mickey began creating practical, accessible AIP resources to help others navigate autoimmune disease with clarity and confidence. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine and has contributed to the development and communication of AIP medical research. Mickey is the author of several best-selling books, including The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook, The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook, The Nutrient-Dense Kitchen, and The New Autoimmune Protocol. You can find her sharing recipes and cooking demos on Instagram.
Looking for more AIP-compliant recipes?
Check out The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook by our very own Mickey Trescott, the very first cookbook ever published for AIP.
This book contains over 110 elimination diet friendly recipes, including appetizers, snacks, soups, stews, salads, main dishes, and desserts. Also included are 2 4-week meal plans, shopping lists, and all the information you need to get started on your healing journey.
Hey Susan, Microgreens are the small sprouted greens of certain plants, like broccoli. You can usually find them in the refrigerated section of the grocery store by the bagged lettuce.
Kristin, The taste isn’t the same – anchovy is much saltier and more pungent. Also, sardines are huge compared to anchovies. In a pinch, you could cut up a piece of sardine and use it, but I bet it wouldn’t be as flavorful!
I have been looking everywhere to find out if I can have sunflower sprouts on AIP. Are they considered microgreens? I wouldn’t be eating the sprout with the seed attached, I know I can’t have nuts and seeds, I just want the greens! Wondering if you might have an answer. Thanks!
Thanks for the great recipe! Are all microgreens okay for AIP? What about pea shoots? I just recently started to grow microgreens and wonder if there are some to be avoided. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Trish! Microgreens are OK, but you should be cautious with pea shoots as they sometimes still have the seed attached, which is avoided during the elimination phase. Hope it helps!
When you saw “seed” – I think you’re actually talking about the hull, right? The seed is the actaul plant – meaning it’s leaves are the Cotyledons which is technically part of the seed itself. As someone who is on AIP, I do eat the green seed, but not the hull or shell part of the plant.
I was so excited by this salad – normally I have chopped salads for lunch, just meal kits from the produce section, but this way it’s compliant! The veggie mix is great, although I did not remember to buy watercress, so I used red chard instead. My one disappointment is that my salads ended up super bitter. I had to increase the amount of lemon juice to one whole lemon, and I’ve added cranberry to one and bacon to another. I think I’d therefore caution that extra virgin olive oil is may be too strong a flavor for this dressing.
Hi Janice! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I definitely think adding additional lemon and cranberry could increase the bitterness of the flavor. I might suggest apple chunks instead.
I just happened to have all these ingredients except anchovies on hand today so I made this for lunch and WOW! I loved it! Love it! I’m going to stop at the store on the way home and get anchovies and have it again for dinner. It will be even better because I really like anochivies. Thanks for the great recipe!
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23 comments
What are microgreens?
Hey Susan,
Microgreens are the small sprouted greens of certain plants, like broccoli. You can usually find them in the refrigerated section of the grocery store by the bagged lettuce.
This looks incredible! I’m always drawn to an AIP recipe that has a form of sauce to it. Can’t wait to try this out.
Looks amazing! but then everything I’ve tried from this site is! The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook is my favorite AIP resource for cooking.
Is it two small slices of beets?
no, two small or one large beet.
Can you use sardines instead? I’ve never actually had anchovies, but I use sardines frequently! Wonder if the taste is about the same?
Kristin,
The taste isn’t the same – anchovy is much saltier and more pungent. Also, sardines are huge compared to anchovies. In a pinch, you could cut up a piece of sardine and use it, but I bet it wouldn’t be as flavorful!
[…] Totally obsessed with this Zesty Detox Salad from Mickey Trescott. I’ve made it every single day this week! I switched up the dressing a […]
Hello! Should the beets be raw? I’ve only used shredded beets raw in salads, not in 1/2″ cubes. Thanks!
Tristan,
Yes they are raw!
[…] Zesty Detox Salad – Autoimmune Wellness […]
I have been looking everywhere to find out if I can have sunflower sprouts on AIP. Are they considered microgreens? I wouldn’t be eating the sprout with the seed attached, I know I can’t have nuts and seeds, I just want the greens! Wondering if you might have an answer.
Thanks!
Hi Monica! The greens are fine but you will want to avoid the seed in the elimination phase. Hope it helps!
Thanks for the great recipe! Are all microgreens okay for AIP? What about pea shoots? I just recently started to grow microgreens and wonder if there are some to be avoided. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Trish! Microgreens are OK, but you should be cautious with pea shoots as they sometimes still have the seed attached, which is avoided during the elimination phase. Hope it helps!
When you saw “seed” – I think you’re actually talking about the hull, right? The seed is the actaul plant – meaning it’s leaves are the Cotyledons which is technically part of the seed itself. As someone who is on AIP, I do eat the green seed, but not the hull or shell part of the plant.
Any recommendation to do this without the anchovy? A replacement, or just omit? Thanks!
Hi Leslie! Yes, you can simply leave it out. It won’t have as much umami flavor, but the dressing will still be good. 🙂
I was so excited by this salad – normally I have chopped salads for lunch, just meal kits from the produce section, but this way it’s compliant! The veggie mix is great, although I did not remember to buy watercress, so I used red chard instead. My one disappointment is that my salads ended up super bitter. I had to increase the amount of lemon juice to one whole lemon, and I’ve added cranberry to one and bacon to another. I think I’d therefore caution that extra virgin olive oil is may be too strong a flavor for this dressing.
Hi Janice! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I definitely think adding additional lemon and cranberry could increase the bitterness of the flavor. I might suggest apple chunks instead.
I just happened to have all these ingredients except anchovies on hand today so I made this for lunch and WOW! I loved it! Love it! I’m going to stop at the store on the way home and get anchovies and have it again for dinner. It will be even better because I really like anochivies. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sherrie, awesome to hear! I think you’ll really enjoy the umami kick the anchovies add.