Marinated Cauliflower Salad: A Refreshing Flavor Burst Recipe
This Marinated Cauliflower Salad offers a refreshing burst of flavor with a tangy Italian-inspired dressing. Crisp cauliflower florets are combined with black olives, banana pepper rings, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh parsley, all marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, this salad is easy to prepare and chilled to enhance the vibrant flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Salad Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped into small florets
- 1 (2.25 oz) can sliced black olives
- 1/2 (12 oz) jar banana pepper rings
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a jar or bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk or shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and form a smooth dressing. Set aside to marinate the flavors.
- Prepare the salad: Chop the cauliflower into small, bite-sized florets. In a large bowl, add the cauliflower florets along with the sliced black olives, banana pepper rings, chopped red bell pepper, diced red onion, and freshly chopped parsley. Mix gently to combine all the vegetables evenly.
- Add dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the mixed vegetables in the bowl. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece of vegetable is coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad once more to redistribute the dressing and flavors evenly. Serve chilled for a crisp and refreshing taste.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- You can substitute Parmesan with a vegan cheese to make it vegan-friendly.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste preferences.
- Use fresh Italian seasoning if available for a more vibrant flavor.
- Serve as a side dish for summer barbecues or light dinners.
Keywords: Marinated cauliflower salad, cauliflower salad, no-cook salad, Italian salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, make-ahead salad
