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    Home » What We're Eating » Marinated Vegetable Salad

    Marinated Vegetable Salad

    Published: Aug 12, 2019 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage of marinated vegetable salad

    No more boring iceberg lettuce! My mom's Marinated Vegetable Salad is a simple, flavorful and healthy side dish recipe to enjoy summer's fresh produce. Make it in advance and for a cool, crisp, and refreshing addition to just about any summer potluck, picnic, or weeknight dinner.

    Front shot of marinated raw vegetables in a red wine vinaigrette salad dressing

    My mom was recently cleaning out her files in the kitchen and she came across her old collection of recipe cards. Since Mom isn't one to typically cook from recipes (she's the "improvising type" if you catch my drift), she didn't really have much use for the old handwritten notecards anymore. So guess who scooped them up?

    I have had so much fun sifting through these old recipes, so many of which bring back childhood memories -- starting with this raw vegetable salad recipe!

    Marinated raw vegetable salad in a serving bowl with green onions and herbs in background

    How to make Vegetable Salad at home:

    First, place all of the vegetables in a large bowl. You'll need the following ingredients:

    • mushrooms
    • grape tomatoes
    • zucchini
    • carrots
    • bell pepper
    • broccoli
    • cauliflower

    Raw vegetables in glass mixing bowl for salad

    Next, prepare the red wine vinaigrette by shaking together the following ingredients in a jar:

    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Dry mustard
    • Pepper
    • Fresh chives
    • Red wine vinegar
    • Lemon juice
    • Olive oil

    Red wine vinaigrette salad dressing in mason jar

    Toss the dressing with the vegetables, and your job is done!

    Marinated vegetable salad in a glass mixing bowl with wooden spoon

    Allow the raw vegetables to marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for at least two hours (or overnight). Then give the salad one more stir and it's ready to serve!

    Front shot of fresh vegetable salad in a bowl on a table

    What to serve with Marinated Vegetable Salad:

    Pair this mixed vegetable salad recipe with just about any main dish entree. Here are a few good options:

    • Lemon Garlic Herb Grilled Shrimp
    • Grilled Steak
    • Garlic and Herb Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon

    With any of those proteins, you can simply add some pasta, rice, or bread with the vegetable salad and your healthy dinner is complete!

    Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:

    • For a shortcut, pick up small quantities of pre-chopped vegetables at your grocery store's salad bar. You may actually save money, because you only have to buy exactly what you need -- and no more!
    • You can really use just about any combination of vegetables that you prefer, and then toss them all together in this simple red wine vinaigrette. Use extra broccoli instead of the cauliflower, for instance, or skip the mushrooms and use more tomatoes. Swap yellow squash for zucchini, or pick a different color sweet bell pepper. You get the idea!
    • This recipe yields about 5 cups of salad. To serve a crowd, I suggest doubling all of the ingredients.
    • Don't want to bother with making your own homemade dressing? Substitute with your favorite store-bought vinaigrette!
    • Allow time for the salad to marinate (at least 2 hours). The dressing infuses, flavors and tenderizes the raw vegetables.
    • Prep ahead! You can make this salad up to 24 hours in advance. It's good in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days, but the tomatoes start to soften after the first 24 hours.
    • This vegetable salad is perfect for diet or weight loss, because it is filling and satisfying, made with real, whole foods, and a low-calorie healthy side dish that's loaded with vitamins and minerals! A large 1-cup serving has just 54 calories!

    Long overhead shot of bowl of marinated vegetable salad

    More fresh vegetable salad recipes that you might enjoy:

    • Carrot Salad
    • Black Bean and Corn Salad
    • Healthy and Easy Summer Corn Salad
    • 10-Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad
    Front shot of marinated raw vegetables in a red wine vinaigrette salad dressing
    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Marinated Vegetable Salad

    My mom's Marinated Vegetable Salad is a simple, flavorful and healthy side dish recipe to enjoy summer's fresh produce!
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Keyword marinated vegetable salad, vegetable salad
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Marinating Time 2 hours
    Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
    Servings 5 cups total
    Calories 54.3kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup sliced mushrooms
    • ¾ cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
    • ¾ cup sliced zucchini
    • ¾ cup peeled, chopped carrots
    • 1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped
    • ½ cup broccoli florets
    • ½ cup cauliflower florets
    • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon chopped fresh chives
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions

    • Place all vegetables in a large bowl.
    • Place remaining ingredients (garlic through olive oil) in a jar with a lid and shake until completely combined.
    • Pour dressing over vegetables.
    • Refrigerate salad for at least 2 hours (or overnight).

    Notes

    • For a shortcut, pick up small quantities of pre-chopped vegetables at your grocery store's salad bar. You may actually save money, because you only have to buy exactly what you need -- and no more!
    • You can really use just about any combination of vegetables that you prefer, and then toss them all together in this simple red wine vinaigrette. Use extra broccoli instead of the cauliflower, for instance, or skip the mushrooms and use more tomatoes. Swap yellow squash for zucchini, or pick a different color sweet bell pepper. You get the idea!
    • This recipe yields about 5 cups of salad. To serve a crowd, I suggest doubling all of the ingredients.
    • Don't want to bother with making your own homemade dressing? Substitute with your favorite store-bought vinaigrette!
    • Allow time for the salad to marinate (at least 2 hours). The dressing infuses, flavors and tenderizes the raw vegetables.
    • Prep ahead! You can make this salad up to 24 hours in advance. It's good in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days, but the tomatoes start to soften after the first 24 hours.
    • This vegetable salad is perfect for diet or weight loss, because it is filling and satisfying, made with real, whole foods, and a low-calorie healthy side dish that's loaded with vitamins and minerals! A large 1-cup serving has just 54 calories!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 54.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.8g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 2.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 254.4mg | Potassium: 236.4mg | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 2.4g

    This recipe was originally published in April, 2015. The photos were updated in August, 2019.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa French, The More With Less Mom

      April 27, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      Ooh this looks like good stuff. Thanks for posting. Hello from Monday Funday.

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 27, 2015 at 2:48 pm

        Thanks for stopping by, Melissa!!

        Reply
    2. Ashley

      April 27, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      Yum! This looks so bright and crisp! I have been known to eat an entire container of cherry tomatoes on my own. Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe with us on the Merry Monday link party!

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 27, 2015 at 5:22 pm

        Thanks for visiting, Ash!!

        Reply
    3. Derek Campanile

      April 27, 2015 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so fresh and perfect during the summer! My family is going to love this!

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 27, 2015 at 5:24 pm

        Thanks so much, Derek!!

        Reply
    4. Anna @ Sunny Side Ups

      April 27, 2015 at 8:02 pm

      Oh YUM!! This looks absolutely amazing!! I'm a freak, I know, but raw vegetables are a major obsession of mine! I bet I could even convince my husband to love them too, with your yummy dressing! 🙂 Looks delish!

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 27, 2015 at 9:29 pm

        Not a freak at all, Anna! I'm a total raw veggie lover, too! You will adore this salad. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl

      April 28, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      I am soooo not a vegetable person, but these look fabulous! I can really get on board with veggies prepared like this! Love it.

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 28, 2015 at 2:51 pm

        Thanks, Sarah! Even non-veggie-lovers like you will enjoy this one. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine

      April 30, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! This salad looks so fresh and perfect for this time of year. And the dressing is exactly how I like them-- light and using fresh ingredients.

      Visiting from Sits!

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 01, 2015 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks, Michelle!

        Reply
    7. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

      May 01, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      I love recipes like this! I'm so excited to start getting into the growing season so I can have my fresh from the farm veggies again...will definitely be trying this, Blair! Have a fabulous weekend!

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 01, 2015 at 8:32 pm

        If you're a veggie lover then you will adore this fresh salad, Michelle! Happy gardening. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Lou Lou Girls

      May 02, 2015 at 7:12 pm

      Okay, I'm drooling right now! Looks so good. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7, we can't wait to party with you! Lou Lou Girls

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 02, 2015 at 8:58 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing!!

        Reply
    9. Hannah

      March 30, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      Thanks! Bringing this to Easter family get-together. Was fretting over what I could bring that I could serve room temperature and make the night before!

      Reply
      • Blair

        March 30, 2018 at 7:58 pm

        Hey, Hannah! It will be perfect! Enjoy the salad and have a happy Easter!

        Reply
    10. Caitlin

      July 28, 2018 at 7:17 pm

      I just made this to bring to an outdoor cookout tomorrow. What a great healthy summer side dish! I snuck a few bites and it already tastes amazing- I can't imagine how delicious it will be tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 28, 2018 at 8:22 pm

        Awesome! So glad that you like it, Caitlin! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Kristina

      August 21, 2019 at 2:46 am

      This looks so yumm! Cherry tomatoes have always been my favorite no matter what. Will definitely give it a go this weekend.

      Reply
      • Blair

        August 21, 2019 at 5:36 am

        Thanks, Kristina! I hope you'll give it a try!

        Reply

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