Mom’s Marinated Salad
Introduction
Fresh, colorful, and packed with flavor, Mom’s Marinated Salad is a classic make-ahead side dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. Crisp vegetables are tossed in a tangy homemade marinade and chilled until every bite is infused with delicious sweet-and-savory flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and crunchy vegetables
- A sweet and tangy homemade marinade
- An easy make-ahead side dish
- Perfect for potlucks and gatherings
- Even more flavorful after chilling
- Simple pantry-friendly ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup sliced carrots
For the Marinade
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry all the vegetables.
- Cut the broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, bell pepper, and carrots into bite-sized pieces.
- Place all the vegetables and sliced red onion in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the marinade over the vegetables.
- Gently toss until all the vegetables are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- For the best flavor, let the salad marinate overnight.
- Toss again before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve chilled.
Tips
- Use fresh, crisp vegetables for the best texture.
- Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces so every bite has a good combination of flavors and textures.
- Prepare the salad a day in advance to give the marinade time to fully infuse the vegetables.
- Add sliced olives or feta cheese for an extra Mediterranean touch.
- Keep the salad refrigerated until ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mom’s Marinated Salad alongside grilled chicken, roasted meats, burgers, sandwiches, barbecue dishes, or baked potatoes. It also makes an excellent addition to a holiday buffet or potluck table.
Conclusion
Mom’s Marinated Salad is a simple, colorful, and flavorful side dish that gets even better as it chills. With crisp vegetables and a delicious sweet-and-tangy marinade, it’s an easy make-ahead recipe that’s perfect for sharing.