5 Lettuce-Free Animal-Based Salads
Enjoy vibrant, nutrient-packed flavors with 5 Lettuce-Free Animal-Based Salads—primal, gluten-free recipes that can be made paleo and dairy-free, perfect for seasonal eating without the greens.
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The cons of green salads
Warning: Tossed salads might soon become less of a staple in your diet after reading this post! Leafy greens and vegetables contain natural defense chemicals that can make them toxic for the human body and tough to digest. The nutrients contained within these vegetables are less bioavailable than their animal-based counterparts, and some experts will argue that you are better off eating organ meats than a bowlful of lettuce, celery, radishes, and tomatoes.
But not to worry, my fellow salad lover! I have five delicious salad recipes for you that require little to no veggies and are still amazing enough to bring to your next potluck.
Veggies have defense chemicals that can be harmful when eaten
Eating leafy greens and loads of vegetables has been long touted as beneficial to our health, but it is important to consider findings that they contain defense chemicals which can be harmful when eaten by humans. It is important to understand how these defense chemicals work and how we can minimize their negative effects on our health.
Consider reading The Carnivore Code Cookbook by Dr. Paul Saladino to learn his in-depth research and analysis of the dangers of consuming high amounts of certain vegetables.
These defense chemicals are produced by the plants in order to protect themselves from predators. While these defense chemicals are necessary for the plant’s survival, they can be dangerous when consumed by humans, especially when raw or when eaten in high amounts. Though some people may be able to tolerate them when fermented or cooked, since these preparation methods may help to reduce their toxic load.
What Dr. Paul Saladino says about leafy greens
Dr. Paul Saladino is a leading authority on animal-based nutrition and has been researching the effects of food on human health for over a decade. He is passionate about helping people lead healthier lives and is known for his outspoken views on the importance of eating nutritious foods such as organ meats instead of plants like kale.
His popular argument is that kale is not healthy for you because it contains high levels of oxalic acid and heavy metals which can lead to kidney stones and other health problems.
“Plant-based nutrients are not as bioavailable as animal-based nutrients“
The debate between plant-based and animal-based nutrients has been going on for years. While some argue that plant-based nutrients are more nutritious than animal-based nutrients, others argue that they are not as bioavailable due to antinutrients. This is because the body is not able to absorb the same amount of nutrients from plants as it does from animal products.
When it comes to bioavailability, animal-based proteins and fats are typically more readily absorbed by the body than their plant-based counterparts. This means that if you want to get maximum nutrition from your diet, some experts suggest getting a good portion of your nutrition from animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and low-mercury fish.
Not to worry! You can still enjoy delicious salads that don’t contain a lot of veggies.
While leafy greens are often thought to be the main ingredient in salads, there are plenty of other options. Before you go on your next grocery run, make sure that you have these 5 Lettuce-Free Animal-Based Salads in your meal plan.
5 Lettuce-Free Animal-Based Salads: Get the Delicious Recipes Below
PRIMAL CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE
Serves 1-2
Chicken salad is a classic dish that is sure to please. The best thing about chicken salad is that it doesn’t need leafy greens like lettuce to taste good.
Ingredients:
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, chilled and shredded
- ⅓ cup tallow mayonnaise (see recipe at the bottom of this post)
- ¼ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt or coconut milk yogurt
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 Tbsp chopped capers
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, stir all ingredients until well combined.
- Cover, refrigerate for at least an hour, then enjoy!
PRIMAL EGG SALAD RECIPE
Serves 1-2
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and they will keep you feeling full til your next meal. They taste delicious as a fluffy, creamy salad when paired with mayo, relish, and mustard.
Ingredients:
- 8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup tallow mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp chives (omit for strict AB)
- 2 Tbsp diced cucumber
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, stir all ingredients until well combined.
- Cover, refrigerate for at least an hour, then enjoy!
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PRIMAL HAM SALAD RECIPE
Serves 1-2
For a no-cook meat salad, you’ll adore this ham salad! Ham has a salty flavor that pairs well with low-toxin additions like relish, herbs, and mayo. Plus, it’s an excellent source of protein.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced cooked, nitrate-free ham (use leftover AB-compliant pork roast for strict AB)
- ¼ cup tallow mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp dried chives (omit for strict AB)
- ¼ cup diced cucumber
- 1 tsp raw honey (optional)
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions:
- In a food processor, pulse all ingredients until well combined.
- Cover, refrigerate for at least an hour, then enjoy!
PRIMAL AMBROSIA SALAD RECIPE
Serves 2
Feeling like enjoying something sweet and a little salty? Ambrosia salad is for you! It combines the sweetness of pineapple, oranges, and coconut with savory mayonnaise.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 2 cups diced fresh oranges
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped toasted tigernuts
- 2-3 Tbsp tallow mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp raw honey (optional)
- 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice
- 2 sprigs fresh mint, minced (optional)
Instructions:
- Gently stir the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!
PRIMAL SUNSHINE GELATIN SALAD RECIPE
Serves 3-4
This protein-packed recipe contains low-toxin fruits like strawberries and oranges. Make this retro dish is for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, and more.
Ingredients:
- 6 Tbsp plain granulated gelatin
- 1 cup hot apple juice
- ½ cup cold orange juice
- ½ cup grated zucchini
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ½ cup diced strawberries
- ½ cup diced fresh pineapple
- ½ cup chopped toasted tigernuts
Instructions:
- Combine the gelatin and hot juice in a bowl. Whisk until dissolved.
- Add the cold orange juice, zucchini, carrots, strawberries, pineapple, and tigernuts. Stir until combined.
- Pour the mixture into a 9×9-inch baking dish, then cool to room temperature.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours to let the gelatin set.
- Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!
TALLOW MAYONNAISE RECIPE
The perfect replacement for store-bought mayos that may contain linoleic acid or seed oils.
Ingredients:
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1 cup melted *tallow, duck fat, lard, goose fat, or chicken schmaltz (warm is ok but not hot)
Instructions:
- Add egg yolks, egg, lemon juice, and salt to a high-speed blender. Blend until combined.
- Leave the blender running on medium speed while you slowly drizzle in the melted tallow until the mixture is creamy and emulsified.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Will harden a bit in the fridge. Once chilled, leave your desired portion on the counter for 15 minutes to soften slightly prior to using in recipes.
NOTES:
*You can also use chicken schmaltz, duck fat, goose fat, leaf lard, etc instead of the tallow for a milder or different flavor.
Try these 5 Lettuce-Free Animal-Based Salads and Taste the Ancestral Nutrition!
Leafy greens may not be the nutritional powerhouse we once thought, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up the fresh, vibrant flavors of a great salad. By swapping out high-toxin vegetables for nutrient-dense, animal-based ingredients, you can enjoy delicious, satisfying meals that support your health.
Whether it’s the creamy richness of egg salad or the tangy depth of ambrosia, these 5 Lettuce-Free Animal-Based Salads prove that great taste and nutrition go hand in hand. Try them out and redefine what a wholesome salad can be!
XX,
Sam
Sources:
- https://www.carnivoremd.com/resource/plants
- https://youtu.be/qxhOQ6PY5ME
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2014/11/05/dietary-linoleic-acid-and-risk-of-coronary-heart-disease
- https://www.kevinstock.io/health/vitamins-and-minerals-plants-vs-animals/
