3 Viral Salad Recipes

3 Viral Salad Recipes

Sometimes there’s a really good reason for something to go viral and 2 of these salads fall into that category! I have made them countless times at home and one we even turned into a menu item here at GLJ! They make great meal prep, last well in the fridge and are incredibly healthy and nutritious. And one of them . . . well, as my kids would say, was mid. It was fine, but no clue why it would go viral. But I have a very similar recipe I’ve made countless times that deserves a viral ranking so I’ve included my upgrades for you as well!

We thought it would be fun to put the recipes together for you to make at home and a little insight into each one so you can decide for yourself which ones are true winners.

Be sure to let me know if you make them and which one is your fav!

XO, Andrea

GREEN GODDESS SALAD

Made popular by @BakedbyMelissa, who, randomly I have actually met! Before moving back to Nanaimo I lived in NYC (hubby’s hometown). I managed the Equinox gym in Soho when Melissa opened up her first cup cake shop around the corner! It was the tiniest shop in Soho - more like a door way - and she always had a line up down the street. Many of you might know her on instagram for her awesome healthy recipes and fun, easy-going personality, and if you don’t, I highly recommend you give her a follow!

The first time I made this salad I followed Melissa’s inspo to serve it as an appy when friends were over. Paired with tortilla chips, it makes for such a fun way to enjoy a ton of veggies. Since that first time, I’ve made it lots, but use it more like a side salad during the week that add lots of fresh flavour to my meal. It pairs amazing with some bbq’d chicken thighs or tofu marinated in bbq sauce. Of the 3, this is my 2nd favourite.

DRESSING

• 1 cup basil leaves

• 1/4 cup chives

• 1 cup spinach

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 small shallot

• Juice of 2 lemons

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup cashews, or nuts of choice

• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp vinegar

SALAD

• 1 small head green cabbage

• 3-4 baby cucumbers (or 1 large cucumber)

• 1/4 cup chives (optional)

• 1 bunch green onions

• Tortilla Chips

DIRECTIONS

Chop up your salad ingredients and add to a big bowl. Add all your dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth then pour over your salad, mix and enjoy!

JENNIFER ANISTON SALAD

Of all the newsletters and recipes we have shared, when we first shared this one, y’all went crazy for it. It was our most clicked on recipe we have ever shared! The entire internet wanted to know what Jennifer Aniston supposedly ate every day on the set of Friends, me included. I think that myth has since been de-bunked, but I’m thankful for the recipe’s popularity as I truly love it. That summer I first made it, me and the hubby got addicted and I made it almost every week for months. It remains one of my favourite things to have for lunch! It’s got a great balance of proteins, fats, carbs and fibre so keeps you full for a long time. The flavour combo of pistachios, mint and feta is incredible and I find it so satisfying.

I loved it so much, I turned it into a menu item here at GLJ - The Friendly Salad Snack is available for delivery across Vancouver Island, at our Nanaimo shop and select Island retailers.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups cooked bulgar (I subbed quinoa - 1 cup uncooked should yield you what you need)⁠

• 1 cucumber chopped or sliced ⁠(sub snap peas or broccoli if you want it to last in the fridge)

• 1/2 cup of parsley, chopped⁠

• 1/2 cup mint, chopped⁠

• 1/3 cup red onion, sliced thinly or diced⁠

• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios⁠

• 1/2 cup rained + rinsed chickpeas

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil⁠

• 1/2 cup feta

• salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Combine everything and enjoy!

COWBOY CAVIAR

This recipe is originally credited to the prolific chef Helen Corbitt and then went viral thanks to Tik Toker @brialem. I first made it when my bestie and her family were coming over for dinner. Kim’s love language is Mexican food and so is my hubby’s . . . or rather, I like to show my love for them by making them their favourite food - Mexican! This salad is easy and comes together in 15 minutes. The adults ate it as a salad with tortilla chips and grilled chicken, and the kids liked it with some chicken in a wrap - as a big healthy burrito. The sweetness of corn combined with the freshness of tomatoes, the creamy beans and avocados, and the kick of jalapeno meet up with some lime and garlic for a fairly flavourful salad.

Overall, I found it ok, but it has the potential to be way better. Good, but not, viral good. :). I make something similar but with a creamy cashew chipotle dressing that knocks this one out of the park.

Scroll down to see my version . . . and then go make that one! :)

ORIGINAL SALAD INGREDIENTS:

• 1 red bell pepper

• 1 orange bell pepper

• 1.5 cups of sweetcorn

• Half a red onion

• 2 jalapenos

• 1 can of rinsed black beans

• 1 can rinsed pinto beans

• 1 container of feta

• 1 cup of black olives

• Cilantro

• Tortilla Chips for serving

ORIGINAL DRESSING:

• Juice of 3 limes

• Half cup of olive oil

• Quarter cup of white wine vinegar

• 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 2-4 tablespoons of spicy honey

• 3 tablespoons of sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Mix up the salad ingredients in oen bowl and the dressing in another, then mix the two together and dive in!

ANDREA’S CASHEW CHIPOTLE DRESSING

• ½ cup cashews

• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (based on spice preference)

• ¼ cup water (reserved only if you need it to get your blender going)

• juice of 1 lime

• 2 cloves garlic

• salt + pepper to taste

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

Andrea’s Salad Subs

• Skip the pinto beans

• Skip the jalepeno as my sauce has the spice

• Add a cup of chopped snap peas. I love the extra crunch and am not a pinto fan. :)

• Add a cup of quinoa to the salad and skip the chips

Enjoy!

XO, Andrea