Why Make This Recipe
Marinated Cauliflower Salad is a fresh and tasty dish perfect for any occasion. It combines crunchy vegetables with a flavorful dressing, making it both healthy and satisfying. This salad is easy to make and can be a great side dish or a light main course. Plus, it’s perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or just a simple family meal.
How to Make Marinated Cauliflower Salad
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
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 (2.25 oz) can sliced black olives
- 1/2 (12 oz) jar banana pepper rings
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
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Make the dressing: In a jar or bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan. Whisk or shake until everything is well mixed. Set aside.
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Prepare the salad: Chop the cauliflower into small florets. In a large bowl, add olives, banana peppers, chopped red bell pepper, diced red onion, and parsley to the cauliflower.
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Add dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad. Toss everything together so that the dressing coats all the vegetables.
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Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend together nicely.
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Serve: Before serving, give the salad a good stir to make sure the flavors are evenly distributed.
How to Serve Marinated Cauliflower Salad
Marinated Cauliflower Salad is best served chilled or at room temperature. You can enjoy it as a side dish with grilled meats or fish, or have it as a light meal on its own. It’s also great for lunch the next day!
How to Store Marinated Cauliflower Salad
You can store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. However, the flavors will continue to develop, so it may taste even better the next day!
Tips to Make Marinated Cauliflower Salad
- Make sure to chop the cauliflower into bite-sized florets for easy eating.
- If you prefer a little heat, consider adding some sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of Italian seasoning to your taste.
Variation
You can customize this salad by adding other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or cucumber. For extra protein, consider adding chickpeas or grilled chicken.
FAQs
1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Marinated Cauliflower Salad a day in advance. Just keep it in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
2. Can I use other dressings?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite dressing, feel free to use it instead of the one in the recipe.
3. Is this salad vegan?
The original recipe includes Parmesan cheese, which is not vegan. You can make it vegan by omitting the cheese or using a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Marinated Cauliflower Salad
A fresh and tasty Marinated Cauliflower Salad that combines crunchy vegetables with a flavorful dressing, perfect as a side dish or light main course.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
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
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 (2.25 oz) can sliced black olives
- 1/2 (12 oz) jar banana pepper rings
- 1 red bell pepper
- 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, black pepper, and grated Parmesan. Whisk or shake until well mixed. Set aside.
- Prepare the salad: Chop the cauliflower into small florets. In a large bowl, add olives, banana peppers, chopped red bell pepper, diced red onion, and parsley to the cauliflower.
- Add dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss everything together.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to help the flavors blend.
- Serve: Stir the salad before serving to ensure flavors are evenly distributed.
Notes
For a spicier version, add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the dressing. Customize with additional vegetables or proteins as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg