EASY MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD – a healthy, make-ahead delicious salad with crunchy vegetables, raisins and walnuts; a sure-fire winner at every party!
It was a holiday weekend and my whole family was getting ready to grill up some veggies (and chicken for the meat lovers) on the barbecue grill at our family get together. This summery vegetable salad, marinated in a homemade dressing was a perfect, cooling accompaniment.
Even during my early cooking days, every party of mine had a large bowl of salad with fresh vegetables along with some protein like chole chana/chickpeas, kidney beans/rajma, paneer/tofu etc. along with raisins, chopped dates or any nut like walnuts or even peanuts!
The whole salad was marinated and drenched in a homemade vinaigrette (oil-vinegar salad dressing) for a couple of hours before serving.
This time too, it was my much in demand tangy, crunchy, divine and sumptuous marinated salad, chock full of fresh vegetables!
WHAT VEGETABLES CAN I ADD IN THIS SUPER EASY MAKE-AHEAD SALAD?
My go to veggies have always been shredded (long shreds) green and/or red cabbage, julienned green peppers/bell peppers/capsicum, cubes of fresh, deseeded cucumber, chunks or slices of carrots, fresh tomatoes (whole chopped or small cherry) and some sliced red/purple onions.
Sometimes, depending upon the season, I do add some broccoli florets (slightly blanched if needed), cauliflower florets, zucchini, green peas etc. Just wing it and use any vegetable you may enjoy in a salad.
The best part is, these vegetables will be soaking in a tangy vinaigrette for at least 2 hours minimum which not only amps up the flavor of the veggies, but you taste the freshness of good-for-you veggies in every juicy, tasty bite!
WHAT ARE THE OTHER INGREDIENTS I CAN ADD?
My daily salad always has some raisins/chopped dates and walnuts. I love the sweet surprise in every bite, so in went some black raisins and chopped walnuts in this marinated salad too, but make sure you add it just before serving or the raisins will soak up the liquid and turn mushy.
If you can find dried cranberries, they do add a lovely sweet and tangy bite in the salad. Sometimes, I love to stir in some chopped apples at the last minute too; gives a lovely crunch and sweetness!
For added protein, stir in some canned, cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans. You could use red kidney beans/rajma too! For paneer or tofu lovers, feel free to add chunks of fresh paneer or tofu before adding the marinade dressing. Adding these is totally optional but is perfect when you need a healthy and filling salad.
For some carbohydrate (this makes for a complete meal), feel free to add any small cooked pasta like macaroni, spiral, rotini, shell etc. This is actually my favorite part when I make a meal of just salad!
Let your taste buds guide you in adding more ingredients.
MY FAVORITE OIL-BASED SALAD DRESSING:
No salad is complete without flavoring it with some dressing. It could be a bottled/homemade dressing or just oil and lemon juice.
My all-time favorite dressing is a simple oil-vinegar dressing with some fresh grated garlic, Italian and/or dried oregano and some crushed black or red pepper for some heat. If you like, you could use lemon/lime juice instead of vinegar.
You could add a dash of bottled mustard sauce for the zing and/or a splash of honey for a mild sweetness.
When I was just starting to cook, it was bottled Italian vinaigrette dressing , but now, it is my simple homemade, easy oil-vinegar salad dressing which I make in large batches and give to family and friends also to enjoy with their salad!
This homemade dressing lasts in your fridge for at least 2 to 3 weeks.
SERVING SUGGESTION:
The key secret to this amazing marinated vegetable salad is marination; you have to let the vegetables steep in the dressing for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
Keep stirring in between and serve cold or at room temperature with some more dressing on the side if you want.
Make a meal of it by adding some protein and carbohydrate or serve as a side dish with any meal (dinner or lunch).
Once you make this, your family and friends will keep coming back for more!
If you make this recipe, let me know….leave a comment below, rate it and share on my Instagram using the tag #curryandvanilla16 or on my Facebook page.
UPDATED APRIL 2021:
I make this salad quite often but recently after a long break when I had almost forgotten about it (lots of traveling and moving forth between countries often), my son reminded me to make this one specifically! So, here we go!
Veggies in this one are cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, red radish, onions, carrots, cooked chickpeas, pasta, dates and walnuts! I stirred in some orange juice instead of plain water for the dressing for a citrusy kick and to use up all those oranges in my backyard!
Enjoy and Healthy Eating!
Summer is here and everyone loves to have some salad every day! Here are some more simple salads you can make and enjoy with your family:
- Spinach Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Raw Carrot and Beetroot Salad
- Mango, Corn and Mung Bean Sprouts Salad
- Rainbow Garden Pasta Salad
EASY MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD – a healthy, make-ahead delicious salad with crunchy vegetables, raisins and walnuts; a sure-fire winner at every party!
Ingredients
- ½ cup oil (olive oil or any odorless oil)
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp grated/minced garlic
- ½ tsp black pepper salad
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cabbage, cut into long strips
- 1 cup sliced/julienned bell pepper/capsicum
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into bite size slices
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (cut into 2) or 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 English cucumber, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup thinly sliced purple/red onions
- 1 can of cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans/white chana (optional)
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, add all the dressing ingredients and give it a good shake for at least 10 seconds.
- Do a taste test and adjust the seasonings; the dressing should be slightly on the salty side.
- In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients (except raisins and walnuts). Pour the dressing (as much as you want) to coat all the veggies thoroughly.
- Toss gently, cover tightly and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours, tossing in between to distribute the dressing.
- Just before serving, stir in the raisins and walnuts, mix well and serve using a slotted spoon.
- Enjoy!
Notes
You can use any vegetable of your choice. Other options are zucchini, cauliflower, green peas, blanched green beans, red cabbage etc.
Add paneer (Indian cottage cheese) or tofu for added protein along with any cooked beans like garbanzo/chickpeas, red kidney beans/rajma etc.
Adjust the amount of seasonings and vinegar/lemon juice according to personal preference.
You could add chopped apples, strawberries, dried cranberries, chopped dates, orange segments etc. for a sweet and fruity bite. Add fresh fruits only just before serving.
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I am sharing this with our gourmet Face Book Group "Healthy Wellthy Cuisines" where we blog bimonthly on a specific theme. This time, the theme is "NoCookDishes". Do check out these other cooling, fresh and healthy culinary creations shared by my friends here:
Avalakki Upkari by Jayashree
Green Chickpeas Salad in Mustard Vinaigrette by Sasmita
Carrot and Cucumber Mini Sandwich Bites by Swaty
Watermelon Gazpacho by Poonam
Avocado Chaat by Shalu
Indian Kachumbar Salad by Geetanjali
Sunbutter Apple Sandwiches by Seema
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Have fun cooking, eating and sharing!!!
The marinated vegetables salad will have such a beautiful flavour. I have to surely try this recipe
Love this vegetable salad, it's not only tasty but colourful and healthy. Love all the options that you have given here.
WOW !!! love these Vegetable Salad di easy marination are always welcome and love to try soon as well !
I too prefer homemade dressings with some olive oil, vinegar and mediterranean seasonings for the salads . So refreshing, filling and wholesome meal for people like me who can't have much of grains in summers.
Homemade dressings are the best; no additives and preservatives! I totally agree dear....thanks so much!
Nothing can beat delicious salads during hot summers. This salad looks so delicious and inviting.
Thanks so much Shalu <3 A summer time and party favorite in our house!v
Marinated vegetables salad with nuts and raisins sounds really yummy! Will try your's way next time 🙂
Thanks dear <3 My favorite part - nuts and raisins and sometimes chopped dates too 🙂
Marinated vegetable salad with homemade dressing sounds so wholesome and delicious Vanitha ! Awesome share !
Thanks so much dear Poonam 🙂