Time to cleanse that liver with our Winter Detox Radicchio Salad with Bitter Greens and a sharp lemon caper vinaigrette. Because nothing gives us quite the boost of antioxidants and fibre, as a feast of leafy greens and fresh citrus.
If we listen to the rhythms of nature she’s pretty good at keeping us healthy. In late winter and the earliest days of spring she gives us bitter foods like radicchio and arugula and kale. All high value foods that support digestion, liver and kidney health. It’s like Mother Nature’s saying “I saw what you ate there, all that cheese. The heavy meals. The fatty foods. Let’s get back to balance!”
Radicchio Salad with Bright Lemon Caper Dressing
Winter food has purpose. So we combined bitter radicchio, baby beet greens, arugula, parsley and the heart of a winter butter lettuce with tangy goat cheese, sharp citrus, briny capers, and good olive oil — for a clean, bright combination that feels like a reset without tasting like medicine.
I must have eaten half of this entire bowl in the first sitting. I could not get enough of it. The body knows what it needs and if we’re paying attention, it gives us very good advice.
Clean, Bold Winter Greens with Citrus and Olive Oil
Radicchio is one of those greens people think they don’t like — until it’s treated properly. Acid tames bitterness, salt rounds it out, and fat carries the flavour. Add lemon, both juice and big chunky segments of lemon with briny capers, and suddenly it’s bold, balanced, and deeply satisfying.
This isn’t “detox” in the juice-cleanse sense — it’s real food that supports digestion, wakes up your palate, and gives winter greens the respect they deserve. It’s a salad that feels grown-up, sharp-edged, and intentional. The kind of thing you crave when your body wants clean instead of comfort.
A Sharp, Fresh Reset Salad for Cold Weather Cooking
This radicchio salad works as a standalone lunch, a bright contrast to rich winter mains, like braised meats. Or adds a sharp, cleansing course in a meal, dominated by cream. Simple ingredients. Strong flavour. Clean finish.
Sometimes the most comforting thing in winter is not another layer of richness, but a sharp, citrus-y reminder that freshness still exists. Until spring comes, and we in the northern hemisphere, begin again.
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Winter Detox Salad with Bitter Greens
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: serves 4 to 6 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant winter radicchio salad with lemon caper dressing, bitter greens and goat cheese to help cleanse and detox the body, as nature intended. Bright, bold, and perfect for balancing rich winter meals, it’s packed with antioxidants and vitamin C.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head radicchio, cored and torn
- 4 cups mixed greens; baby beet greens, spinach and arugula preferred
- 1 - 2 handfuls leaf of choice; butter lettuce, heart of romain
- 1 cup fresh parsley, leaves only, whole
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup goat cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small shallot, finely diced
- 1 lemon, flesh sectioned & reserved, remainder juiced
- 1 tablespoon capers, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fine sugar (optional, for balance)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Add radicchio, greens, additional lettuce, parsley, and onion to a large bowl.
- Section your lemon by cutting it in half and running a sharp paring knife around the inside between the flash and white pith, then severing the centre so you get the lemon flesh to pop right out. Reserve the lemon flesh separately and remove all the remaining pith and membrane with your fingers so that you’re left with chunky, clean, lemon pieces.
- Then juice the remaining lemon into a separate bowl or jar (I use a large measuring cup.) Add red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon, sugar and salt – and blend or whisk until emulsified.
- Add shallot and capers to lemon segments and then add emulsified liquids. This is a vinaigrette with texture and punch.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat.
- Let sit for 5 minutes to soften the greens slightly.
- Finish with goat cheese, freshly ground black pepper and adjust salt or lemon if needed.
