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You are here: Home / Healthy Recipes / Meals & Sides / Raw Zucchini Salad Recipe (Spiralized, Vegan)

Last Updated on Apr 5th, 2021 fitasamamabear

Pinterest image with text: two images of spiralized zucchini salad with strawberries and pecans
Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it

Make The o Raw Zucchini Salad Recipe (Spiralized, Vegan)

Only five ingredients in this refreshing raw zucchini salad recipe. Made with spiralized zucchini (“zoodles”) this summer salad is topped with crunchy pecans and a maple balsamic dressing. Enjoy this light, cold zucchini salad as a side dish or a complete meal.

Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it

A simple salad made with raw zucchini, fresh strawberries, and crunchy pecans. All topped with a two-minute, maple balsamic dressing.

This salad makes a perfect, in-a-pinch side dish or, topped with protein a complete entree. Plus, it’s easily whipped up the night before. This makes it a great meal prep recipe for lunch as well!

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe or, watch a full demo video. watch a full demo video. 

 

 

What Is A Spiralizer?

if you don’t own a spiralizer– get on that! Definitely a staple appliance in the kitchen and one I use pretty often (for recipes like this zoodle pasta!).

If we’re being nitpicky though, it’s not necessary. Moreover, you can just chop the zucchini, or use a carrot peeler to shave it for the salad.

However, spiralizing not only makes the raw zucchini salad seem far fancier than it is but it helps draw some of the water from the zucchini also

 

How Do You Serve Raw Zucchini?

Many people question if you can eat zucchini raw in a salad or interchange it with cucumbers. And yes, you can!

Zucchini is bland in flavor. Likewise, it takes on the flavor of any food it is paired with.

It is also very watery. This means, often in a salad it’s best to let the zucchini sit in a strainer with or without a teeny bit of salt to dry it out slightly.

While this step is not necessary for this salad but many people do prefer it.

.

Protein Options

This spiralized zucchini salad is tasty all on its own. The chickpeas and the pecans are loaded with healthy fats and fiber to keep you satiated.

However, the salad also tastes amazing with some additional protein sources. A few favorites are:

  • hemp hearts
  • grilled chicken
  • hard-boiled egg

For vegan options, maple glazed tempeh or fried tofu cubes would make wonderful additions also.

Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it

Pecans: Raw Or Candied

The pecans in this raw zucchini salad give a nice dose of healthy fats. Similarly, they add a bit of extra crunch to it.

However, if you want to jazz your salad up a bit, opt for candied pecans. They take only fifteen minutes and reinforce the maple flavor of the salad.

 

Balsamic Maple Dressing

Made in under two minutes, this homemade salad dressing is a kitchen staple. Furthermore, the maple syrup sweetens up the balsamic vinegar and gives it a tangy-sweet flavor.

That said, any of your favorite dressings will work and I’ve also used a creamy lemon tahini dressing to give it a different flavor. Use what you have.

Easy Dinner Recipes

Pinterest image with text: collage of healthy, real food dinner recipes

If you’re looking for even easier, healthy dinner recipes, check out The Busy Moms E-Cookbook, where I’ve gathered 30 healthy dinner recipes that can be made in thirty minutes or less. From easy vegan tacos to beef and quinoa chili, simple chicken pasta to a bok choy and mushroom bowl. These dinner recipes share a few things in common:

  • They are healthy and simple to make
  • All of the recipes are dairy-free or could easily be made dairy-free
  • The majority of the recipes are gluten-free
  • All of the recipes are real-food based and focus on nutrients not fillers
  • They’re all tasty!

To make dinner-time even LESS stressful, I’ve also included several bonus tips on food prep, pantry staples and how to make healthy eating simple. Grab your copy of The Busy Mom’s E-Cookbook

(when you click on the button a new window will open that will take you to securely process the payment)

How To Make The Spiralized Salad Whole30

Yes! With a few simple tweaks (below), this salad recipe can be whole30 approved.

  • whole30 does not include any beans or legumes. Thus, omit the chickpeas in the salad (this also helps make the recipe much more low-carb friendly)
  • you’ll need to alter the dressing. No sweeteners are allowed on whole30 so omit the maple syrup! You can use your favorite whole30 approved salad dressing or simple whisk up balsamic vinegar and olive oil to keep it simple
  • use regular pecans and not candied

 How To Make The Salad (full demonstration)

Ingredients

  • zucchini
  • carrot
  • cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 avocado
  • ½ cup candied pecans
  • 2/3 cup roasted chickpeas

Don’t forget to pin this raw spiralized zucchini salad!

Pinterest image with text: two images of spiralized zucchini salad with strawberries and pecans

Grab the printable!

Pinterest image with text: Spiralized zucchini salad topped with strawberries, avocado and pecans with dressing and zucchini noodles behind it
5 from 9 votes
Print

Easy, Raw Zucchini Salad (paleo & vegan)

Only five ingredients in this refreshing raw zucchini salad recipe. Made with spiralized zucchini("zoodles") this summer salad is topped with crunchy pecans and a maple balsamic dressing.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 424 kcal
Author fitasamamabear

Ingredients

  • 1 zucchini large
  • 1 carrot large
  • 2/3 cup chickpeas optional, avoid if low carb
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup pecans chopped
  • 8 strawberries slices
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1.5 tbs olive oil for the dressing
  • 2 tbs balsamic vinegar for the dressing
  • 1/2 tbs maple syrup for the dressing

Instructions

  1. Start by peeling the carrot and spiralizing the carrot and zucchini.

  2. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.

  3. Toss the spiralized veggies in your dressing of choice and let sit for five minutes.

  4. Then, portion out the veggies into two bowls and top with the remaining ingredients.

Recipe Notes

  • Increase the protein in this salad by adding fried tofu cubes, maple tempeh, hemp hearts, or grilled chicken.
  • Likewise, scale back the carbs in this salad recipe by eliminating the chickpeas and using regular pecans instead of candied
  • This salad recipe stores well in the fridge for 2-3 days without the dressing added to it
Nutrition Facts
Easy, Raw Zucchini Salad (paleo & vegan)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 424 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Sodium 45mg2%
Potassium 794mg23%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 5656IU113%
Vitamin C 37mg45%
Calcium 84mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

A simple, spiralized zucchini salad perfect for a warm summer night. Use this zucchini salad recipe as a full meal (extra protein optional) or as a side dish or lunch the next day.

It’s fresh, easy to whip up, and loaded with veggies to boost your intake for the day.

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    Candied Pecan And Spinach Salad With Balsamic Maple…
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Last updated on 04/05/2021

Filed Under: Healthy Recipes, Meals & Sides Tagged With: dairy free, gluten free, main meals, salad, vegan

Comments

  1. Kristen says

    06/23/2020 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    Love the look of this salad. This is my favorite way to eat in the summer and the whole family LOVES zucchini noodles, so I’m all over this!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      06/24/2020 at 2:23 pm

      Zoodles are totally where it’s at lol they just scream summer to me! But yes, this salad is super colorful!

      Reply
  2. Amy says

    06/24/2020 at 10:07 am

    5 stars
    I love that this meal can be 100% plant based and super healthy. I tried this yesterday and it was really good!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      06/24/2020 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks so much for giving it a try! I love how versatile this sale can be (a meal, a side dish, topped with more if you like). So happy you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  3. Sharon says

    06/25/2020 at 1:41 am

    5 stars
    I definitely NEED to get a spiralizer. This looks fabulous and I love the sound of those candies pecans. Perfect for those warm months!

    Reply
  4. Vanessa says

    06/25/2020 at 5:41 am

    5 stars
    This recipe has convinced me to pull my spiralizer out from the back of the cupboard. Looks delish!

    Reply
  5. Cynthia Priest says

    06/29/2020 at 4:22 am

    5 stars
    I didn’t know you can eat zucchini raw! I will be giving my KitchenAid spiralizer a whirl. It is still sitting in its box.

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      06/29/2020 at 9:34 am

      You’re the third person to tell me that about their spiralizer! Haha. But yes, aw zucchini is yummy with the right combo and zucchini noodles are just FUN. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  6. Terri Gilson says

    06/29/2020 at 12:36 pm

    5 stars
    I love that this salad is not only fast, but healthy and delicious! I absolutely love zucchini because it’s so versatile, takes on the flavor of whatever it’s paired with and just tastes so fresh and delicious on its own!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      07/05/2020 at 8:29 pm

      Yes! Zucchini literally goes with EVERYTHING. plus, we throw it so we end up with crazy excess amounts haha it’s perfect.

      Reply
  7. Colleen says

    06/29/2020 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    Time to dust off my spiralizer! Especially since zucchini season is almost here. I love everything about this salad. It’s a hearty meal but still so fresh and healthy

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      07/05/2020 at 8:29 pm

      Haha definitely dust off the spiralizer! it just makes everything seem so fresh!

      Reply

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About Me

Hey-I’m Shelby! a Certified Strength Coach (CSCS), nutrition coach (PN) and mama to three beautiful girls.

I’m also a lazy foodie, workout lover and feeder of stray cats. It’s my mission to make everyday fitness and healthy living PRACTICAL for busy moms.

Fitasamamabear is where you’ll find the tools you’ll need for health and wellness. At-home workouts, healthy, allergy-friendly recipes and tips from a seasoned mama on how to make it all work.

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DISCLAIMERS As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.The content on Fit as a Mama Bear is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented here. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No products mentioned are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.