How to Make Spinach Radish Orange Avocado Detox Salad (AKA the Salad That’s Actually Not Boring)

Let’s be honest: “detox salad” usually sounds like something sad people eat after a weekend of bad decisions and greasy food. But guess what? This one slaps. It’s fresh, vibrant, juicy, and — spoiler alert — actually tastes good.

Spinach, radish, orange, and avocado come together like a wellness dream team. You get greens, crunch, zing, and creamy richness in one glorious, feel-good bowl. It’s the kind of salad that makes you feel smug in the best way — like, “Wow, I’m actually taking care of myself right now.”

And the best part? It’s ready in like 10 minutes. No cooking. No stress. Just vibes.

What Makes This Salad Not Suck?

• Fresh spinach gives you that nutrient-dense base without tasting like lawn clippings.
• Radishes add a peppery crunch that makes you feel alive (and fancy).
• Oranges bring juicy sweetness and a shot of vitamin C that says “not today, sniffles.”
• Avocado delivers creamy, healthy fat goodness. Like a green hug for your cells.
• Simple lemon vinaigrette ties it all together without trying to steal the spotlight.

Basically, it’s the salad equivalent of drinking water and minding your business.

Ingredients (A Vibe in a Bowl)

Serves 2 as a main, 4 as a side

• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 4 radishes, thinly sliced (use a mandoline if you’re feeling extra)
• 1 large orange (or 2 small), peeled and sliced into rounds or segments
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced or cubed
• ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional, but adds nice bite)
• 2 tbsp sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (for crunch)
• Fresh herbs like mint or parsley (optional but 🔥)

Lemon Vinaigrette:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp maple syrup or honey
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions (AKA How to Toss Without Screwing It Up)

Step 1: Prep your produce

Wash and dry everything like the responsible adult you are. Slice the radishes, orange, avocado, and onion. Try not to eat the orange slices before they make it to the bowl. (No judgment if you do.)

Step 2: Whisk the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, sweetener, salt, and pepper. Taste it. Adjust. Make it your own. If you want it zingier, add more lemon. Want it richer? More oil. You’re the boss here.

Step 3: Assemble the goods

Toss the spinach in a large bowl with a little dressing to coat it lightly. Then gently add in the radish, orange slices, avocado, and onion. Drizzle more dressing on top and toss carefully so the avocado doesn’t get bullied.

Step 4: Finish strong

Top with sunflower seeds and herbs if using. Serve immediately. Feel accomplished.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Because It’s Still Salad, Not Magic)

• Overdressing the spinach: You want light, not soggy. This isn’t soup.
• Underripe avocado: Nothing says sad salad like rubbery green cubes.
• Prepping too far ahead: The avocado will oxidize and make you cry. Dress it last minute.
• Using bottled lemon juice: Stop. Just stop. Fresh lemon only.

Variations (In Case You Want to Remix It)

• Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein-packed lunch.
• Throw in pomegranate seeds if oranges aren’t in season.
• Swap spinach for arugula if you want even more peppery bite.
• Add quinoa or farro to bulk it up for dinner.
• Use grapefruit instead of orange for that bitter-fresh twist.

FAQs (Because Salad Can Still Be Mysterious)

Can I meal prep this?

Sort of. Prep the ingredients ahead but don’t slice the avocado or dress it until right before eating. Spinach + fridge time + moisture = slime. Gross.

What kind of oranges work best?

Navel oranges are classic, but blood oranges or Cara Cara are even sexier. Go wild.

Can I use a store-bought dressing?

You can… but why? This lemon vinaigrette takes 30 seconds and tastes 10x better. Just saying.

Is this actually “detoxing”?

Look, your liver does most of the detoxing work. But this salad is full of fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients that definitely help support your body doing its thing.

Can I make it spicy?

Heck yes. Add chili flakes to the dressing or throw in a few slices of jalapeño. Salad with an edge? We love that.

Final Thoughts (AKA Why This Will Be on Repeat)

This salad isn’t just “good for you.” It’s fresh, bright, balanced, and genuinely enjoyable to eat. No sad desk lunch energy here. It’s the kind of thing you eat when you want to feel like you’ve got your life together, even if you definitely do not.

So toss it, dress it, eat it. And don’t forget to feel proud of yourself after.