Summer Garden Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A vibrant mix of seasonal vegetables tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette, elevated by a generous sprinkle of fresh herbs for a light and satisfying meal. This vegetarian-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs halved cherry tomatoes, peeled and diced cucumber, diced red 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 120 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
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1, peeled and diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion; add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, tossing gently to combine.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified; pour over vegetable mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Let salad sit 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then serve chilled for optimal freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Summer Garden Herb Salad with Lemon 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 Summer Garden Herb Salad with Lemon 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 halved cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Summer Garden Herb Salad with Lemon 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 Summer Garden Herb Salad with Lemon 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.
What goes well with Summer Garden Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
Vegetarian salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.