Women’s Health recently posted an interview with Jennifer Garner on YouTube titled “Jennifer Garner’s Weekly Routine to Stay Fit & Fuel Mom Life” where Jennifer described the salad she has every day for lunch inspired by Elaine from Seinfeld’s “Big Salad”. Everything she described sounded like something we would love so we had to give it a go! Of course, as a nutritionist, I couldn’t help but add a few extra ingredients to make it SUPER nourishing. Hopefully, Jen would approve!
If you love this, try our Erewhon Kale & White Bean Salad for another celebrity-inspired big salad, our Mediterranean Shared Salad, or our Turmeric Quinoa Edamame Salad for more protein-packed shared salads. For hearty grain salads, browse our Forbidden Rice Kimchi Salad and Chopped Southwest Salad.
When she mentioned a hearty veggie, I instantly thought of cauliflower, and because the oven was already on for the sweet potatoes, I decided to roast it.
Then she said put anything in there; it’s big, it’s hearty so I added some lentils because if you’ve been here for a minute, you know we won’t have a salad without a good source of plant protein in there and also added some fresh dill which really made the whole salad pop.
As Jennifer didn’t mention the dressing, I decided to make my absolute go-to dressing with balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard. It goes with everything and is so easy to make.
So what do you think? Will you give this salad a go? For me, it’s a big yes; I was in the moment I heard ‘big fat salad.’
Why This Recipe Works
- Rich in Plant Protein: Packed with lentils, this salad keeps you fueled for hours.
- Nutrient-Dense: Features a mix of veggies like sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli.
- Flavorful Dressing: The balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard dressing adds a zesty punch.
- Easy to Make: Simple, straightforward steps.
- Customizable: Easy to swap ingredients based on what’s in your pantry.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by heating your oven for the perfect roast. Mix the sweet potatoes with olive oil and seasoning, then bake until golden. Roast the cauliflower with similar seasoning for a slightly shorter time. Cook the broccoli and green beans briefly, then cool in cold water. Whisk together the dressing ingredients for a tangy finish. Combine all the prepared ingredients in a large bowl, toss them with the dressing, and adjust the seasoning to taste. There you have it, a salad that’s as satisfying as it is nourishing!
Ingredient Notes
- Sweet Potatoes: A great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Substitute with butternut squash for a different flavor.
- Lentils: Excellent plant protein source. Feel free to use any type of lentil you have on hand; each variety brings its own texture and taste.
- Plant-based Feta: Adds a creamy texture and tangy taste. If unavailable, nutritional yeast flakes can offer a cheesy flavor.
- Dill: Fresh dill elevates the salad with its unique aromatic quality. Substitute with parsley for a different but equally delightful flavor profile.
FAQ
- Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free.
- Can I use canned lentils? Absolutely, just ensure they are rinsed and drained well.
- Is this salad good for meal prep? Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing apart until ready to eat.
- How can I make this salad nut-free? Simply skip the nuts or use seeds like pumpkin seeds for a crunch.
- What other dressings can I use? Feel free to experiment with your favorites. A lemon tahini dressing also pairs wonderfully.
- Can I substitute the lentils, cheese, or nuts? Yes, this salad is very versatile. Any beans like kidney beans would work in place of the lentils, any cheese you have on hand could replace the plant-based feta, and other nuts like honey roasted peanuts work in place of the pistachios.
- Do you use raw or roasted nuts? I use raw nuts in this recipe.
Variations and Tips
To keep things exciting, try roasting different vegetables or adding various herbs for new flavors. Always aim for a rainbow of colors in your salad to ensure a range of nutrients. For an extra crunch, sprinkle in some homemade croutons or seeds. Remember, the key to a perfect salad is in the dressing, so taste and adjust as you go. And if you’re looking to bulk it up, quinoa or wild rice make great additions.
Why You’ll Love Jennifer Garner’s Big Salad
- Protein & Fiber-Rich
- Nutrient-Dense
- Zesty
- Easy
- Versatile
Jennifer Garner ‘Big Salad’
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups (266 g) sweet potato - diced in small cubes
- 2 tsp (9.86 ml) olive oil
- 1.5 cups (150 g) cauliflower - chopped into florets
- 1 cup (90 g) broccoli - chopped into florets
- 1 cup green beans - ends removed, chopped in half
- 3 cups (60 g) arugula - rocket
- 1 tbsp (10 g) cashews - chopped
- 1 tbsp (7.5 g) pistachios - chopped
- 30 g plant-based feta
- 1 cup (200 g) beluga lentils - cooked
- ¼ cup (10 g) fresh dill
Dressing
- 1 tbsp (15 g) Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
- 2 tsp (10 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp (22 ml) lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 390 °F. Toss the sweet potatoes with 1 tsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 35 minutes.
- In a separate tray, toss the cauliflower with 1 tsp olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 25 minutes.
- Boil the broccoli and green beans for 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to cold water to cool down, then drain.
- Whisk together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, green beans, sweet potato, cauliflower, arugula, cashews, pistachios, feta, lentils, dill, and dressing. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your nutritious and hearty salad!
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Delicious, thank you!
I’m so happy you liked it! Thank you for sharing Rose 💚
So good! I tweaked it just a little. I roasted the broccoli with the cauliflower and sauteed the green beans with garlic, salt a EVOO.
That sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing your tips Melissa, I’m glad you loved it!
I loved this! It’s definitely got a hearty and earthy taste to it that I love. There are a lot of “zingy” things in it, however (arugula, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, dill) so I did add brown sugar to the salad dressing mix to cut down on the citrus/tang/acidity a bit and I felt like it paired soooo well with everything! It added a slight sweet taste but not overpowering at all.
Thank you for sharing your addition Katelyn, sounds delicious! 💚
Does this recipe use raw nuts or salted roasted nuts?
I used raw nuts 🙂
I hate when recipes like this say “10 minute prep”. There’s no way you prep all these vegetables, the dressing, and the lentils in 10 minutes. That said, I’m definitely making this. I’ll just allow enough time for the prep.
Hi lovely, there are four vegetables to chop. I use precooked lentils (most people use canned), and the dressing takes less than 2 minutes to whisk together, so I did estimate it to be about 10 minutes of prep 🙂 Of course, take the time you need to prep! Hope you love it 💚
I just hate it when people leave a comment and haven’t made the recipe yet. But I haven’t made the recipe yet. This looks so beautiful but what a production yes? Can you prep any of these items ahead of time? Anybody? Thank you.
You could absolutely prep much of this in advance. Cook extra lentils, broccoli, and other veggies, make extra dressing. Wash and dry extra greens. I abhor arugula so I would swap that for spinach or some kind of escarole like frisee, mizuna, or a mix of greens of your choice just to mix it up! I also love adding fruits to my salads to help balance the nutrients. I will add whatever is in season. Strawberries, raspberries, stone fruits, apples, pears, a variety of dried fruits like cherries, cranberries, figs, etc. Make it your own!
❤️ Thank you!
Wow, love this recipe ! It’s budget friendly, easy to make and you have a healthy lunch for 3 days! My family loved it very filling! Thanks for sharing another great recipe Jennifer.
Jennifer made some breakfast cookies on a cooking demonstration in her kitchen. The cookies had oats, cranberry or cranraisons and plenty of healthy ingredients. My Daughter is in her last year of Med School. These cookies would be great for her to grab in the go. She loves to eat healthy but time is nog a friend with the schedule she has. I would love to make a couple of batches to take her and share with her friends. Please respond where I might find the recipe. Thank you !!
Sorry lovely I’m not sure where you could find this exact recipe 🥲 I do have a delicious oat cookies recipe you could add cranberry to in my free breakfast ebook 👇
https://plantbaes.com/free-resources/
I liked adding the fresh dill to the salad. It gave it a real zing. I had some leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving so I added a bit to the dressing. Very tasty.
Sounds delicious!
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMx1t6WDn87/?igsh=MTduYzZxODR5bXF4NQ==
This might be what you’re looking for
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMx1t6WDn87/?igsh=MTduYzZxODR5bXF4NQ==
Julie,
This might be what you’re looking for
Sarah C, I’ve question about this salad. Could you use kidney beans, instead of cooked lentils, what cheese could you replace, instead of a plant-based feta and instead of , pistachios could you replace it, with honey roasted peanuts?
Hi lovely, this is very versatile, any beans, cheese or nuts would work I think! Hope you love it 😊