True Essence of Summer Vegetable Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette
A minimalist salad embodying 'authentic or not' philosophy—pure, unadulterated flavors of peak-season vegetables with a bright sherry dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (mediterranean) ready in about 15 minutes pairs halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumber, pitted kalamata olives 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 220 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
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and 1/4 cup fresh basil.
- Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp sherry vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over vegetables and toss gently until evenly coated, ensuring no ingredients are bruised.
- Step 4: Let sit 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld, then sprinkle with remaining basil before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does True Essence of Summer Vegetable Salad with Sherry 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 True Essence of Summer Vegetable Salad with Sherry 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 True Essence of Summer Vegetable Salad with Sherry 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 True Essence of Summer Vegetable Salad with Sherry 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 True Essence of Summer Vegetable Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
