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.

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.

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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.

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.

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Easy 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

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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
• ⅔ cup roasted chickpeas

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

Grab the printable!

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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.