Oh la la, I eat this by the tonne—no joke! This easy, healthy Rainbow Salad is a crunchy delight that’s as colourful as it is nutritious. Done in 15 minutes, it’s packed with fresh raw carrots, kale, broccoli, and tossed in a simple, tangy dressing. And if that’s not enough, we’ve also thrown in pomegranate and sunflower seeds for that extra wow factor!

Dressing being poured over a vibrant salad with grated carrots, shredded kale and broccoli, topped with pomegranate kernels.
Even though it’s doused in dressing, it tastes even better the next day!!

I don’t just love (I mean really love) salads because I’m a dietitian; they’re actually my go-to for feeling fresh, energized, and satisfied—plus, they’re a canvas for creativity in the kitchen!

I’ve been buzzing around with my Grilling Series on TV, serving up a mix of juicy meats, veggie delights (plus some sweet treats and sips!) to please everyone. Let’s face it, grilling season isn’t just about BBQs; it’s about kicking back, enjoying a variety of flavours, and soaking up the good vibes.

And hey, let’s talk pairing! This raw veggie Salad is the perfect match for my zesty Turmeric Chilli Garlic Shrimp Skewers, and boy, did tasty sparks fly!

Now, let’s break down the ingredients and how to whip up this vibrant delight!

What is a ‘Rainbow Salad’ made of?

A ‘Rainbow Salad’ typically includes a variety of colourful vegetables like kale, broccoli, and carrots, and often includes fruits or seeds for added texture and flavour. It’s known for its vibrant appearance and nutritious ingredients, making it a popular choice for health-conscious eaters.

How to make it

Raw veggie prep

Hand ripping kale from stem with a bowl of torn kale nearby.
Tear the kale leaves off the stems into medium-sized pieces. Give them a good rinse and make sure they’re nice and dry so our salad stays crisp, not soggy.
Hand pressing a whole carrot into a food processor to be shredded.
I prefer to use the ‘medium’ grater attachment on my food processor to grate the carrots. It’s quick and makes for a perfect texture in our salad.
Food processor filled with broccoli and kale leaves.
Cut the broccoli into small florets. This helps our food processor blitz everything evenly.
A food processor bowl containing blitzed kale and broccoli.
‘Pulse’ the kale and broccoli in the food processor until finely chopped. Add them to a large bowl.
Hand mixing shredded carrots with blitzed kale and broccoli in a bowl.
Transfer your kale, broccoli, and grated carrots into a big bowl. Now, get your hands in there and give it a good toss. It’s the best way to make sure everything gets evenly mixed.

My go-to food processor – Breville The Sous Chef

I use this Breville – The Sous Chef Peel and Dice Food Processor in my kitchen. I got it about 3 years ago and it functions beautifully, making chopping, dicing, shredding, grating, and mincing ever so easy!

One hand holding a small ramekin of mustard while the other uses a spoon to drag the mustard into a mason jar.
In a mason jar, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and mustard.
Hand holding a mason jar of dressing at an angle.
Seal the jar and shake vigorously until the dressing is well-mixed.
Bowl of vibrant salad with a hand holding a bowl of pomegranate kernels and pouring them on top of the salad.
Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and toss.
Hand holding a mason of salad dressing and pouring it on top of a vibrant salad.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again to coat evenly.
A bowl of vibrant shredded salad topped with sunflower seeds.
Garnish with sunflower seeds for extra flavour and texture and serve.

For a complete list of ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, you can find everything you need in the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

A vibrant salad bowl with grated carrots, shredded kale and broccoli, topped with pomegranate kernels with a background of veggies.

Mix it up: Fun ingredient swaps!

  • Swap kale for spinach for a milder flavour and softer texture.
  • Substitute sunflower seeds with toasted almonds for added crunch and nuttiness.
  • Try balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice for a deeper, sweeter tang in your dressing.

Nutrition highlights

Indeed, savouring this salad means you’re loading up on some serious goodness:

  • Vitamin C Kick: Kale, broccoli, and pomegranate seeds bring a hefty dose of vitamin C to the table.
  • Fibre Friends: Raw carrots and kale tag team to keep things moving smoothly, giving you that extra fibre boost.
  • Antioxidant Armor: Pomegranate seeds and kale are your go-to squad for fighting off those pesky free radicals, and helping to fight inflammation.

Food safe storage

Pop any extra salad into a sealed container in the fridge — all of which helps to keep your salad fresh and crunchy for up to 3 days.

If you try this simple salad recipe, I’d love to hear your feedback! Drop your rating, leave a comment, and be sure to tag me on Instagram @DesiliciousRD! Seeing your creations truly makes me smile!

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Desi~liciously Yours, Shahzadi

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A vibrant salad bowl with grated carrots, shredded kale and broccoli, topped with pomegranate kernels with a background of veggies.
5 stars (2 reviews)

Get the Recipe:

15-Minute Rainbow Raw Veggie Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Oh la la, I eat this by the tonne—no joke! This easy, healthy Rainbow Salad is a crunchy delight that's as colourful as it is nutritious. Done in 15 minutes, it's packed with fresh raw carrots, kale, broccoli, and tossed in a simple, tangy dressing. And if that's not enough, we've also thrown in pomegranate and sunflower seeds for that extra wow factor!

Video

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 3 carrots, small, washed, peeled, ends removed
  • 8 kale leaves, large, washed and dried, leaves torn into medium pieces
  • 2 cups broccoli, washed and dried, cut into small florets
  • 1 pomegranate, kernels
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds, unsalted, plain

Dressing

  • 1 lemon, freshly juiced
  • 1 garlic, clove, medium, grated
  • ¼ cup olive oil, extra virgin
  • ½ tbsp mustard, Dijon

Instructions
 

Salad

  • Start by rounding up all your fresh veggies and dressing ingredients.
  • Set up your food processor with the grating attachment and grate those carrots. Toss them into a large bowl and set aside.
  • Swap to the blade attachment on your processor and add the kale and broccoli. Use the pulse function—just four to five pulses should do the trick. Add these to the bowl with the carrots.

Dressing

  • In a medium mason jar, combine all the dressing ingredients. Secure the lid and give it a good shake until everything's well mixed.
  • Add the pomegranate seeds to your bowl of veggies. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix everything thoroughly. Top with seeds, toss and enjoy!

To serve

Notes

Mix it up: Fun ingredient swaps

  • Swap kale for spinach for a milder flavour and softer texture.
  • Substitute sunflower seeds with toasted almonds for added crunch and nuttiness.
  • Try balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice for a deeper, sweeter tang in your dressing.

Food safe storage

  • Pop any extra salad into a sealed container in the fridge — all of which helps to keep your salad fresh and crunchy for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 243kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 25g (8%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 16g (25%)Saturated Fat: 2g (10%)Sodium: 78mg (3%)Potassium: 701mg (20%)Fiber: 5g (20%)Sugar: 11g (12%)Vitamin A: 11696IU (234%)Vitamin C: 116mg (141%)Calcium: 126mg (13%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Cuisine: Mediterranean
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Did you make this recipe?Mention @desiliciousrd on Instagram or tag #desiliciousrd.