Description
This Marinated Vegetable Salad features a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables tossed in a flavorful homemade vinaigrette infused with garlic, herbs, and a touch of honey. Crisp broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, green onions, carrots, and sliced olives are combined with crispy bacon and finished with fresh Parmesan cheese, making it a perfect side dish or light meal that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Add-ins
- 2 cups broccoli (roughly chopped)
- 2 cups cauliflower (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup celery (chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup sliced zucchini
- 1/4 cup sliced green onion
- 1/2 cup pitted olives (sliced)
- 1/4 cup carrot (diced)
Additional
- 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, water, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, dried basil, dried thyme, pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes until fully combined and emulsified.
- Combine Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the roughly chopped broccoli, cauliflower, chopped celery, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced zucchini, sliced green onion, pitted and sliced olives, and diced carrots. Toss the vegetables gently to combine.
- Marinate the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the mixed vegetables and toss well to ensure all pieces are coated with the dressing. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to absorb the marinade.
- Add Bacon and Serve: Just before serving, mix in the cooked and crumbled bacon. Plate the salad and sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the salad for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and optionally add toasted nuts or seeds for crunch.
- Adjust the level of red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a richer taste and better texture.
- Make sure the vegetables are chopped uniformly for even marinating.
