Rainbow Vegetable Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A vibrant, rainbow-colored salad with a dazzling array of colorful vegetables and a citrus vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs mixed greens, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup red bell pepper
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup orange carrots
- 1 cup purple cabbage
- 1 cup grapefruit segments
- 1/2 cup avocado
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Wash and dry 4 cups mixed greens. Dice 1 cup red bell pepper, 1 cup yellow bell pepper, and 1 cup orange carrots into 1/2-inch cubes. Julienne 1 cup purple cabbage and slice 1/2 cup avocado into thin wedges.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the greens, peppers, carrots, cabbage, grapefruit segments, and avocado. Toss gently to mix.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh orange juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp grated orange zest, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all ingredients are evenly coated. Serve immediately at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rainbow Vegetable Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 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 Rainbow Vegetable Salad with Citrus 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 mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rainbow Vegetable Salad with Citrus 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 Rainbow Vegetable Salad with Citrus 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 Rainbow Vegetable Salad with Citrus 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 0-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.









