Xanthan Gum Free Ginger-Lime Cauliflower Apple Salad
Crisp, bright, and loaded with fresh herbs, this raw cauliflower salad is the kind of dish that makes you rethink what a salad can be. Shaving the cauliflower on a box grater transforms it into a tender, slaw-like base that soaks up the punchy ginger-lime dressing beautifully after just a short rest. Thin slices of Honeycrisp or Fuji apple add a sweet crunch that plays perfectly against the heat of fresh ginger and the earthy warmth of turmeric. Scallions, cilantro, and mint pile on layers of herby freshness that make every bite feel lively and complex. For anyone navigating thickener-free eating, this dressing is a dream — it's built entirely from lime juice, zest, olive oil, honey, and spices, with absolutely nothing to second-guess on the label. No store-bought shortcuts, no hidden additives, just real ingredients whisked together in a jar. The whole thing comes together in minutes and is genuinely impressive enough to bring to a dinner party or pack for a weekday lunch. Serve it right away to keep that satisfying contrast between the softened cauliflower and the still-crisp apple slices.
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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
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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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