Capsaicin Free Ginger-Lime Cauliflower Apple Salad
This bright, crunchy salad is the kind of dish that makes you rethink how exciting raw vegetables can be. Shaving cauliflower on a box grater transforms it into a tender, slaw-like base that soaks up every drop of the zesty lime and ginger dressing — no cooking required. Crisp apple slices add a juicy sweetness that plays beautifully against the earthy turmeric and the fresh punch of cilantro and mint. For anyone avoiding capsaicin, salads with bold flavor can feel like a minefield of hidden chili flakes or spicy dressings, but every bit of heat here comes from fresh ginger, which delivers warmth and zing without any of the burn. The dressing comes together in one small bowl and does double duty — it seasons the cauliflower as it rests, so the whole salad tastes cohesive and deeply flavored by the time you're ready to serve. It's light enough to work as a starter but satisfying enough to anchor a simple lunch alongside some crusty bread or grilled protein.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 small head cauliflower (about 1 lb), core removed
- 2 medium crisp apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), cored and thinly sliced
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly torn
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp honey
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
- 1
Using a box grater (large holes) or a mandoline set to 1/8-inch, shave or grate the cauliflower florets into thin, rice-to-slaw-sized pieces directly into a large mixing bowl. You should have about 4 cups of shaved cauliflower.
- 2
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, grated ginger, honey, turmeric, and 1/2 tsp salt until the dressing is smooth and the honey is fully dissolved.
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