Mediterranean Marinated Cauliflower Salad Recipe
A refreshing Mediterranean marinated cauliflower salad featuring tender-crisp blanched cauliflower florets combined with cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, and fresh parsley, all tossed in a vibrant olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing with herbs and Dijon mustard. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Olives
- ⅓ cup black olives (Kalamata)
- ⅓ cup green olives
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Blanch the Cauliflower: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the cauliflower florets. Blanch them for 1-2 minutes until tender-crisp, then immediately transfer the cauliflower to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their texture and color.
- Combine Vegetables and Olives: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched cauliflower with halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, black and green olives, and chopped fresh parsley, mixing gently to combine.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes until well emulsified.
- Toss and Marinate: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- For a crisper cauliflower, do not over-blanch; 1-2 minutes is sufficient.
- The salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and tastes even better after marinating overnight.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; add according to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute fresh herbs like basil or mint in place of dried herbs for a fresher taste.
- This salad can be served chilled as a side dish or a light lunch.
Keywords: Mediterranean Salad, Cauliflower Salad, Marinated Vegetables, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Salad, Easy Salad Recipe
