Italian Summer Vegetable Salad with Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing salad combining summer vegetables tossed in a vibrant fresh tomato vinaigrette, perfect for warm-weather meals. This italian-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs cherry tomatoes, medium cucumber, medium yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Halve 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, peel and dice 1 medium cucumber, dice 1 medium yellow bell pepper, and thinly slice 1/4 medium red onion; combine all in a large salad bowl.
  2. Step 2: Chop 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves and add to the vegetables.
  3. Step 3: In a small blender, combine 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp honey, and 1 minced garlic clove; blend until smooth to make the tomato vinaigrette.
  4. Step 4: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all vegetables evenly.
  5. Step 5: Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Summer Vegetable Salad with Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Italian Summer Vegetable Salad with Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cherry tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Summer Vegetable Salad with Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Italian Summer Vegetable Salad with Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Italian Summer Vegetable Salad with Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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