Easy Food Processor Chopped Salad Recipe & Tips
Chopped salads offer versatility in mealtime options as you can mix the fresh flavors of in-season produce. The vegetables and fruits that create a chopped salad are packed with vital nutrients and fiber that can satisfy a wide range of taste buds. With the convenience of a food processor, you can minimize the prep work. This guide offers an easy food processor chopped salad recipe along with creative twists on mealtime ideas and additional tips.
Can You Chop Salad with a Food Processor?
Chopping vegetables for your salad with a food processor is quick and easy, freeing you up to experiment with a wider variety of ingredients for endless salad possibilities. Freshly chop romaine, kale, cucumber, red peppers, apples or any vegetable or fruit to customize your salad with a tasty variety and top with chopped nuts for a play on texture.
Using a food processor adds versatility in creating fresh, nutritious meals. For more ideas, take an in-depth look at how you can use your food processor from basic food prep to complete dishes.
Food Processor Chopped Salad Recipe
For a quick meal time idea, there’s no need to run to the store for pre-chopped salad ingredients. Just reach for the vegetables and fruits that are stored in your crisper drawer, or fresh from your garden. It’s an opportunity to expand your culinary creativity by combining flavors that you have readily accessible.
Yields
- 4 servings
Ingredients
1 lb. vegetables
Fresh and/or dried fruit (optional)
Fresh herbs (optional)
Seeds and/or nuts (optional)
Cheese (optional)
Salad dressing (optional)
TOOLS
- KitchenAid® food processor slicer/shredder disc or s-blade
Prep Time
5 minutes
Total Time
7 minutes
Step 1: Prepare vegetables
Wash and prepare vegetables depending on the type. For instance, de-stem kale, core and seed red peppers and peel carrots. Cut the vegetables just enough to fit into your food processor work bowl if chopping, or through the feed tube if slicing or shredding.
Step 2: Prepare food processor
Attach the slicer/shredder disc to the top of the drive adaptor of your KitchenAid® food processor and lock it into place along with the lid if slicing or shredding. Alternatively, you can use the multipurpose s-blade to chop your vegetables. Drop the s-blade over the drive adaptor and rotate until it falls into place. Leave the lid open to add your ingredients. Learn more on how to use a food processor step by step.
Step 3: Chop, slice or shred vegetables
Add each type of vegetable separately through the feed tube to slice or shred while running your food processor on high for firm vegetables and low for softer veggies. If chopping, add your ingredients to the workbowls and carefully process to your desired consistency using Pulse. Keep a watchful eye out as it may be easy to overprocess your ingredients, depending on your food processor. This could leave you with mushy vegetables.
Step 4: Make salad
Combine your vegetables and extra ingredients, like seeds, herbs and/or cheese in a bowl. Mix well, top with your salad dressing and serve. You can also mince fresh herbs, chop nuts, shred cheese or whip up a quick salad dressing using your food processor.
4 tips for creating the perfect chopped salad
A perfect chopped salad really depends on desired taste and texture. There are so many ways to enhance your meal and with a food processor you can create a fresh, crunchy salad in minutes. Consider shredding cabbage, dicing onions, chopping nuts, and pickling onions with this convenient kitchen tool.
1. Customize to your dietary needs
The benefit of serving a salad is that you can easily make it vegan or vegetarian, allergy-free and gluten-free. It doesn’t require much planning, just use your favorite vegetables, fruits and/or other ingredients that you already have on hand.
2. Add a side of protein
To make a more hearty meal, include some protein along with your veggies. Consider cooking up chicken, fish, beans or tofu, depending on your appetite.
3. Make your own salad dressing
Whip up a dressing to create more depth and extra fresh flavors to go with your salad. Try mouthwatering dressings such as Asian lime, garlic parmesan, herbed citrus vinaigrette or avocado cilantro lime. An immersion blender, like these models from KitchenAid brand, is a useful tool to have on hand for emulsifying a salad dressing.
4. Serve it warm
When you’re in the mood for a warm meal, saute your chopped vegetables in olive oil. Consider adding other herbs or spices to the pan for a richer flavor. Cook until you reach your desired texture.
Shop KitchenAid® food processors for making chopped salads
4 Creative chopped salad recipes with a twist
There are endless ways to make a chopped salad with a food processor. You may have your favorites, yet if you want to experiment with a range of ingredients, take a look at the following recipes for inspiration.
1. Rainbow farro salad
Relish the fresh flavors of a colorful mix of julienned and sliced vegetables topped with farro or your preferred grain and drizzled with a sweet and tangy dressing.
2. Mediterranean white bean salad
Take a trip to the seaside with the robust chopped and diced vegetables featuring flavors of the Mediterranean served up with crumbled feta and topped with a zesty vinaigrette.
3. Coriander tamarind dressing with paneer salad
Explore the exotic flavors of India with the fragrance of tart tamarind and a balance of sweet and spicy flavors mixed in with your vegetables.
4. Brussels slaw salad with creamy maple tahini dressing
Savor fall flavors any time of year with Brussels sprouts and cabbage along with a burst of sweetness from apples and maple syrup.
How long will a chopped salad keep?
With the convenience of a food processor for quick meal prep, it’s ideal to serve your chopped salad fresh, shortly after you make it. If you have leftovers, you can store your salad in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than four days, depending on your ingredients.
Explore KitchenAid® food processors and food choppers
Make a delicious chopped salad in minutes with a KitchenAid® food processor. From mealtime prep to complete dishes, food processors are designed to help you effortlessly create your go-to recipes and inspire new favorites. If you’re not sure where to start, explore the variety of sizes and features in this KitchenAid® food processors buying guide to find the right fit for your cooking endeavors.
