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You know that problem with salads? The one where you eat them and feel satisfied, but twenty minutes later you’re hungry again and eyeing the snack drawer?
I’ve definitely been there. For a long time, I thought salads were just bland bowls of lettuce that left me unsatisfied. Then I discovered the secret: crunch. When a salad has real texture—things that crackle and snap with every bite—it becomes something completely different. It’s more satisfying, more interesting, and somehow feels like more of a meal.
The best crunchy salads combine different kinds of texture. You’ve got your crisp raw vegetables, your toasted nuts and seeds, maybe some crunchy chickpeas or crispy wonton strips. Some get their crunch from fresh fruit like apples or jicama. Others use crunchy toppings like fried onions or tortilla strips. The point is, every bite should have something that gives you that satisfying snap.
Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or something to bring to a barbecue, these 23 crunchy salad recipes deliver on texture and flavor every single time.
1. Classic Crunchy Broccoli Salad

The one everyone asks for at potlucks. Fresh broccoli, bacon, red onion, and sunflower seeds in a creamy sweet-tangy dressing. It’s been a favorite for decades for good reason.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 25 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, red onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour dressing over broccoli mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
2. Crunchy Asian Ramen Slaw

This salad uses ramen noodles—crushed raw—for the crunchiest topping you’ve ever had. The cabbage holds up well, making it perfect for making ahead.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 1 head green cabbage, shredded (or 1 bag coleslaw mix)
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- 2 packages ramen noodles, crushed (discard seasoning packets)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine cabbage and green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce until sugar dissolves.
- Just before serving, add almonds, sunflower seeds, and crushed ramen noodles to the cabbage.
- Pour dressing over and toss well. Serve immediately so the noodles stay crunchy.
3. Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad

This salad is packed with colorful vegetables and topped with a creamy peanut dressing. The peanuts add extra crunch on top of all those crisp veggies.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 2 carrots, julienned or grated
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
- ½ cup salted peanuts, chopped
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Water to thin
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine both cabbages, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, cilantro, and green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Add water a tablespoon at a time until dressing is pourable.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
- Top with chopped peanuts just before serving.
4. Crunchy Kale Salad with Apples and Pecans

Raw kale gets massaged until tender, then tossed with sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and a tangy maple dressing. It’s hearty enough for a meal.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 1 large apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt and massage the kale with your hands for 2-3 minutes until it becomes darker and tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Add apple, pecans, cranberries, and red onion to the kale.
- Pour dressing over and toss well to combine.
5. Crunchy Chickpea and Cucumber Salad

Roasted chickpeas add incredible crunch to this fresh Mediterranean-inspired salad. The contrast with cool cucumbers is perfect.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 English cucumbers, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (for dressing)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Recipe Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss chickpeas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy and golden. Let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooled crispy chickpeas to the salad just before serving.
- Pour dressing over and toss gently.
6. Crunchy Jicama and Mango Slaw

Jicama is the ultimate crunchy vegetable—crisp, juicy, and slightly sweet. Paired with mango and a lime dressing, this slaw is refreshing and bright.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 medium jicama, peeled and julienned
- 2 mangoes, peeled and julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine jicama, mangoes, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, and salt.
- Pour dressing over slaw and toss well.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
7. Crunchy Chopped Greek Salad

Everything is chopped small so you get a little bit of everything in each bite. The cucumbers and bell peppers provide the crunch here.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 English cucumber, finely diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.
8. Crunchy Apple Celery Walnut Salad

A classic combination that never gets old. The celery and apples both bring crunch, while walnuts add even more texture.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 3 apples, cored and diced (mix of sweet and tart)
- 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- Salt to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine apples, celery, walnuts, and cranberries.
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour dressing over apple mixture and toss until well coated.
- Serve immediately to keep apples from browning.
9. Crunchy Corn and Black Bean Salad with Lime

Fresh corn adds a pop of sweetness and crunch. This salad is full of texture from the corn, bell peppers, and onions.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 3 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 4 ears) or frozen, thawed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- If using fresh corn, you can use it raw for maximum crunch, or lightly blanch it for 2 minutes if you prefer it slightly softened.
- In a large bowl, combine corn, black beans, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
- Let sit for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
10. Crunchy Napa Cabbage Salad with Wonton Strips

Napa cabbage is lighter and more delicate than regular cabbage, but still gives you that satisfying crunch. Fried wonton strips take it over the top.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 head Napa cabbage, shredded
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced
- ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- ½ cup sesame sticks or fried wonton strips
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine cabbage and green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Just before serving, add almonds and wonton strips to the cabbage.
- Pour dressing over and toss well. Serve immediately so toppings stay crunchy.
11. Crunchy Radish and Cucumber Salad

Radishes are one of the crunchiest vegetables around. Paired with cucumber and a simple lemon-dill dressing, this salad is light, refreshing, and incredibly crisp.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine radishes, cucumbers, red onion, and dill.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over vegetables and toss gently.
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
12. Crunchy Southwestern Salad with Tortilla Strips

This salad has everything—crisp lettuce, corn, black beans, and crunchy tortilla strips. The creamy cilantro dressing brings it all together.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or thawed)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce, corn, black beans, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a blender or small food processor, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Just before serving, add avocado and tortilla strips to the salad.
- Pour dressing over and toss gently.
13. Crunchy Beet and Carrot Slaw

Raw beets and carrots are both naturally crunchy and sweet. This colorful slaw is tossed in a tangy orange dressing.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 large beets, peeled and grated
- 3 large carrots, peeled and grated
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine grated beets, grated carrots, red onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, orange zest, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over slaw and toss well.
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
14. Crunchy Kohlrabi and Apple Slaw

Kohlrabi might look strange, but it’s one of the crunchiest vegetables out there. It tastes like a cross between broccoli stem and apple, making it perfect for slaws.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 kohlrabi, peeled and julienned
- 2 apples, julienned
- 1 carrot, julienned
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine kohlrabi, apples, carrot, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over slaw and toss well.
- Serve immediately to keep apples from browning.
15. Crunchy Fennel and Orange Salad

Fennel has a natural crunch and a light licorice flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet oranges. This salad is bright, fresh, and elegant.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced (fronds reserved)
- 3 oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds or segments
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup toasted almonds, sliced (optional)
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine fennel slices, orange segments, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Top with fennel fronds and toasted almonds if using.
16. Crunchy Quinoa Salad with Vegetables

Quinoa adds a light crunch of its own, especially when you toast it before cooking. Mixed with crisp vegetables, it’s a satisfying grain salad.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast quinoa for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
17. Crunchy Snow Pea and Radish Salad

Snow peas are at their best when raw—sweet, crisp, and snappy. Paired with radishes and a sesame dressing, this salad is pure crunch.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces snow peas, strings removed, sliced diagonally
- 1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine snow peas, radishes, and green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and ginger.
- Pour dressing over vegetables and toss well.
- Top with toasted sesame seeds and serve.
18. Crunchy Brussels Sprouts Salad

Raw Brussels sprouts are surprisingly delicious when shaved thin. They have a nutty flavor and incredible crunch that holds up well to dressing.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and shaved thin (or shredded in food processor)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine shaved Brussels sprouts, cranberries, pecans, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Use your hands to massage the dressing into the Brussels sprouts for about 1 minute—this softens them slightly while keeping the crunch.
- Top with shaved Parmesan and serve.
19. Crunchy Watermelon Radish and Cucumber Salad

Watermelon radishes are not only beautiful with their pink centers, but they’re also incredibly crunchy. This simple salad lets them shine.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2-3 watermelon radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, torn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine radish slices, cucumber slices, and mint.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over vegetables and toss gently.
- Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
20. Crunchy Celery Root and Apple Remoulade

Celery root (celeriac) is a knobby vegetable with a mild celery flavor and fantastic crunch. This French-inspired slaw is creamy but still crisp.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 celery root (celeriac), peeled and julienned
- 2 apples, julienned
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon capers, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, toss julienned celery root and apples with 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning.
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, capers, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over celery root mixture and toss well.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
21. Crunchy Broccoli Stem and Carrot Slaw

Don’t throw away those broccoli stems! They’re crunchy, mild, and perfect for slaws. This recipe uses them up along with carrots for a zero-waste crunch fest.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- Stems from 2 heads of broccoli, peeled and julienned
- 3 carrots, peeled and julienned
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup peanuts, chopped
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli stems, carrots, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and garlic.
- Pour dressing over slaw and toss well.
- Top with chopped peanuts before serving.
22. Crunchy Romaine and Pomegranate Salad

Romaine lettuce gives you that classic lettuce crunch, while pomegranate seeds add pops of juicy texture. Toasted pistachios bring even more crunch.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 hearts of romaine, chopped
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (or 1 tablespoon honey + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine romaine, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, pomegranate molasses, red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
- Serve immediately.
23. Crunchy Everything Bagel Salad

This salad puts everything bagel seasoning on everything—literally. Crisp cucumbers, radishes, and romaine get the full everything bagel treatment.
Recipe Metadata:
Time to Make: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes (or use feta)
- 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine romaine, cucumber, radishes, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well.
- Top with cream cheese cubes and sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the top.
- Toss gently again and serve immediately.
There you have it—23 salads that actually satisfy that craving for crunch. From classic broccoli salad to creative everything bagel salad, these recipes prove that texture is just as important as flavor when it comes to making a salad you’ll actually want to eat.
The key to all of these is to add any truly crunchy toppings—nuts, seeds, wonton strips, tortilla chips—right before serving so they stay crisp. And don’t be afraid to massage sturdy vegetables like kale or Brussels sprouts; it softens them just enough while keeping their crunch intact.