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Published: Oct 31, 2021 by Tino Marie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

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Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette is an easy-to-make salad to consider for your upcoming holiday menu as it provides an acidic reprieve from rich, heavy dishes. 

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Cruciferous Crunch Salad is a simple holiday side that can be quickly tossed together by using Trader Joe’s pre-shredded Cruciferous Crunch salad mix, and contributing a few festive add-ins. In this case, walnuts and dried cranberries are VIPs to the Cruciferous Crunch Salad party. 

Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

What makes this salad extra special is spending a few minutes whipping up a homemade vinaigrette. Holiday meals can be a little one-note. Rich, comforting, heavy. Using a Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette adds a much-needed zesty and acidic reprieve to the lineup. 

I like to prepare the salad 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to let the vinaigrette have a chance to permeate while maintaining optimal crispness.

How do you make Cruciferous Crunch Salad - Thanksgiving Edition? 

Cruciferous Crunch Salad can be dressed up any which way you like, but if you want to make it festive for Thanksgiving here’s what you’ll need. The base is Trader Joes' Cruciferous Crunch salad mix because: convenience and efficiency. If you're preparing 17 other dishes for a holiday meal, you'll want to push the easy button here.

INGREDIENTS  

  • 1 10 ounce bag Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch salad mix (which contains shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, green and red cabbage)
  • 3-4 tablespoons dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup crushed raw walnuts
  • ½ cup or so Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette (recipe makes the perfect amount for this salad) or vinaigrette of your choosing
Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch Salad Mix

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Add bag of Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch salad mix to a bowl. Drizzle Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette over the salad mix and toss to coat.
  2. Add in 3-4 tablespoons dried cranberries and ¼ cup crushed raw walnuts. Toss again lightly to incorporate. 
  3. For best results, prepare 30 minutes to 1 hour ahead of time. Refrigerate until needed.
  4. Use within 24 hours once dressed.

Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

This homemade Jalapeno Lime Dressing is one of my favorites and a go-to to brighten up any salad. Jalapenos can vary widely in heat, so make sure to remove the pith and seeds if you don’t want the vinaigrette to wind up too spicy. Or if you want to bring the heat, include the pith (I always discard the seeds). Makes a little over ½ cup of dressing, which is the perfect amount for this Thanksgiving Cruciferous Crunch Salad. 

Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette
Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Vinaigrette Add-Ins and Substitutions

You can make a few minor substitutions or alterations if necessary without significantly changing the integrity of this awesome Jalapeno Lime Dressing. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Instead of fresh limes, you can use lemons
  • Add two jalapenos for more heat 
  • Swap onion powder for garlic powder
  • Instead of dried basil, try oregano or Mexican oregano. You could also leave the herbage out altogether, or mix some freshly chopped herbs directly into the salad instead; fresh basil, oregano, parsley, or cilantro are great options. 
Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Salad Add-Ins and Substitutions

  • Instead of dried cranberries, try dried blueberries, cherries, or raisins
  • Instead of walnuts, try slivered almonds or crushed pecans
  • Don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you? Use a bag of regular shredded cabbage, broccoli slaw, or something similar as the base of this salad 
  • If you want to stretch the salad, you can always toss in some shredded iceberg or Romaine lettuce right before serving. Just note that these “lighter” greens won’t fare as well after they are dressed and should be eaten the same day they are dressed.
Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Salad Storage

Store any leftover Cruciferous Crunch Salad in a lidded container in the refrigerator. Once dressed, you’ll want to eat the salad within 24 hours as it will get wilt-y fairly quickly. Though the beauty of the Cruciferous veggies once dressed is that they maintain crispness longer than lighter salad greens like lettuce.

If you like this, you might also like:

  • Sweet Vinegar and Oil Dressing - fantastic on salads, from garden to cucumber salads
  • Corn and Quinoa Salad - which also features the Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast - moist, juicy turkey you don’t have to fret over as it cooks
  • Ground Turkey Quesadilla - a fantastic use for leftover turkey
  • Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms - a delicious appetizer great for any occasion
  • Mashed White Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Honey Butter - a bold alternative to plain old mashed taters
  • Jalapeno Popper Creamed Kale - creamy and indulgent and spicy
Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Cruciferous Crunch Salad is a simple holiday side that can be quickly tossed together by using Trader Joe’s pre-shredded Cruciferous Crunch salad mix, and contributing a few festive add-ins. In this case, walnuts and dried cranberries are VIPs to the Cruciferous Crunch Salad party.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • Food processor or blender

Ingredients
  

Cruciferous Crunch Salad

  • 1 10 ounce bag Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch salad mix (which contains shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, green and red cabbage)
  • 3-4 tablespoons dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup crushed raw walnuts
  • ½ cup or so Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette (recipe follows, makes the perfect amount for this salad)

Instructions
 

  • Add bag of Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch salad mix to a bowl. Drizzle Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette over the salad mix and toss to coat.
  • Add in 3-4 tablespoons dried cranberries and ¼ cup crushed raw walnuts. Toss again lightly to incorporate. 
  • For best results, prepare 30 minutes to 1 hour ahead of time. Refrigerate until needed.
  • Use within 24 hours once dressed.
Keyword Cruciferous Crunch Salad, Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette, Trader Joe's Cruciferous Crunch Salad
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Christina from Midwexican

About Christina

I'm a Minnesota native who can't get enough of south-of-the-border flavors. My recipes combine comforting Midwestern eats with bold Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors. If you love comforting food, bold flavors, and - most importantly - tacos! then you'll love what I'm cooking!

Learn more about me →

Holiday Feast!

  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
  • Turkey Lentil Soup
  • Ranch Cheesy Potatoes with Hash Browns
  • Simple Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
  • Creamed Kale with Cream Cheese (Jalapeno Popper Style!)
  • Mashed White Sweet Potatoes (with Chipotle Honey Butter)
  • White Chicken Porchetta Chili
  • Cruciferous Crunch Salad with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

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