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Layered Picnic Salad with Yogurt Ranch Dressing

This healthier, more colorful modern version of the layered salad makes its mark at any gathering. Standing in for the usual heavy mayo dressing is a light, but equally creamy and flavorful, yogurt ranch dressing. Use super-crunchy, sturdy vegetables like broccoli, radish, and shredded cabbage to stand up to the dressing over time. Feel free to use this recipe as a template and experiment with whatever seasonal vegetables you have on hand, but be sure to layer the more delicate herbs and lettuces on the bottom and the sturdier vegetables on top. This will prevent the salad from getting soggy while it waits for you to give it a toss.
Course Appetizers, Entrées, Salads
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Dressing

  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt preferably 2% or higher
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • teaspoons granulated garlic
  • teaspoons granulated onion
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • Kosher salt and pepper

Salad

  • One 15-ounce can chickpeas
  • 2 cups loosely packed shredded romaine lettuce
  • 2 cups packed mixed torn herbs such as mint, cilantro, dill, and parsley
  • 2 cups loosely packed mixed sprouts such as alfalfa, sunflower, and radish
  • 2 cups loosely packed shredded red cabbage
  • 1 small English cucumber – halved seeded and diced
  • 1 bunch radishes trimmed and diced, about 6
  • 1 small head broccoli florets and tender stems chopped
  • Snipped chives for garnish
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Make the dressing In a medium bowl, whisk all of the ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of water together until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Make the salad In a very large glass bowl or 3-quart trifle dish, layering the chickpeas, romaine, herbs, sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, radish, and broccoli. Pour the dressing over the top. Garnish with snipped chives and pepper. When ready to serve, toss the salad until evenly coated with the dressing.

Notes

MAKE AHEAD: The salad can be refrigerated for up to 5 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Keyword broccoli, cabbage, chickpeas, lettuce, radish, ranch, salads, summer, yogurt
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