Vegetarian's Best Ever Grilled Vegetable Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A colorful medley of grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette, making it the best summer salad you'll ever toss. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium, sliced 1/2-inch thick zucchini, cherry tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil 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 280 calories and feeds 2, 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 medium, sliced 1/2-inch thick zucchini
- 2, any color, sliced into 1/2-inch strips bell peppers
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh oregano
- 5 oz mixed greens
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, then place on grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until tender and slightly charred, turning once.
- Step 2: Whisk together 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dijon mustard, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to vinaigrette and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Toss 5 oz mixed greens with 2 tbsp vinaigrette in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Arrange grilled vegetables over greens, drizzle with remaining vinaigrette, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian's Best Ever Grilled Vegetable Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Vegetarian's Best Ever Grilled Vegetable 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 cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetarian's Best Ever Grilled Vegetable 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 Vegetarian's Best Ever Grilled Vegetable Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Vegetarian's Best Ever Grilled Vegetable Salad with Lemon 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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order mediterranean delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 10-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.