Best 5 Zesty Garden Salad Recipes

Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our Zesty Garden Salad, a delightful blend of fresh, crisp vegetables tossed in a tangy, homemade vinaigrette. This vibrant salad features a harmonious medley of crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, vibrant bell peppers, and a burst of sweetness from succulent strawberries. A sprinkle of tangy feta cheese adds a savory touch, while a sprinkling of aromatic herbs, such as basil and oregano, enhances its freshness.

Accompanying this main salad recipe are three additional variations that cater to diverse dietary preferences and culinary inclinations. For a vegan delight, the Vegan Zesty Garden Salad offers a plant-based twist, featuring a creamy avocado dressing instead of feta cheese. The Mediterranean Garden Salad transports you to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean with a zesty lemon-tahini dressing, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts. And for a protein-packed option, the Grilled Chicken Garden Salad combines tender grilled chicken with the classic Zesty Garden Salad, making it a complete and satisfying meal.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

GARDEN SALAD

Garden Salad image

My old school Garden Salad. The one I can make any day because I always have these vegetables on hand! And sometimes, when I feel like getting really fancy, I even add a sprinkle of parsley. ????There really are no rules when it comes to a Garden Salad. Any greens, any vegetables. Make this your own!

Provided by Nagi

Categories Side Salad

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 small head iceberg lettuce or other lettuce or leafy greens (, chopped into big bite size pieces (5 to 6 big handfuls))
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved ((~125g/4oz), or 2 tomatoes cut into wedges or chunks)
1 cucumber (, sliced (medium Lebanese / Persian cucumber, or 1/2 long Telegraph/English cucumber))
1 carrot (, peeled and grated using a box grater)
1 tsp parsley or chives (, very finely chopped (if you're feeling fancy!))
1 tbsp cider vinegar ((or any vinegar or lemon juice) (Note 1))
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ((or other neutral oil))
1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard ((or other non spicy smooth mustard))
1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt ((or 1/4 tsp table salt))
1/2 tsp black pepper

Steps:

Dressing: Shake Dressing in a jar. Taste and adjust - more oil for creamier/less tang, vinegar for more tang, sugar if you want touch of sweet.
Toss: Place all Salad ingredients in a big bowl. Pour over Dressing. Toss well.
Serve: Transfer to serving bowl and serve immediately!

ZESTY SALAD

Zesty Salad image

A refreshing, zesty salad for lunch or picnics. Great with anything or just on its own.

Provided by farah

Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 small potato, cut into cubes
½ cup finely chopped cabbage
¼ cup fresh pomegranate seeds
½ carrot, cut into matchsticks
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

Place potato cubes into a small pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and let cool, about 10 minutes.
Combine cooled potato, cabbage, pomegranate seeds, and carrot in a large bowl.
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl until well-mixed. Poured over potato mixture and toss to combine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120.5 calories, Carbohydrate 23.1 g, Fat 2.6 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 604.1 mg, Sugar 6.5 g

ZESTY GARDEN VEGETABLE BREAD SALAD

Zesty Garden Vegetable Bread Salad image

Provided by Nancy Fuller

Categories appetizer

Time 45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small loaf stale crusty bread, cut into bite-size pieces
3 to 4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced
Handful purple string beans
1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and some salt and pepper. Whisk it together and add the bread. Toss everything to coat, then add the tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans and onions. Toss everything again. Let the salad marinate 30 minutes before serving.
Check the seasoning before serving, adjusting with more salt and freshly ground pepper if needed.

GARDEN PASTA SALAD

Garden Pasta Salad image

A zesty pasta recipe, with lots of crunchy vegetables.

Provided by L. Gale

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked tri-color spiral pasta
½ cup thinly sliced carrots
2 stalks celery, chopped
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
½ cup cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
2 large tomatoes, diced
¼ cup chopped onion
2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
Mix chopped carrots, celery, cucumber, green pepper, tomatoes, and onion together in large bowl.
Combine cooled pasta and vegetables together in large bowl. Pour Italian dressing over mixture, add Parmesan cheese and mix well.
Chill for one hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 449.5 calories, Carbohydrate 45.1 g, Cholesterol 3.5 mg, Fat 27.4 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 1539.7 mg, Sugar 10.6 g

ZESTY GREEK SALAD

Zesty Greek Salad image

"Feta cheese and olives give this salad such great flavor, you'd never guess it's as light as it is," declares Angela Leinenbach of Mechanicsville, Virginia. "It's a nice change of pace and goes with all kinds of main dishes."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 cups torn red leaf lettuce
1 small tomato, cut into wedges
4 cucumber slices, halved
2 radishes, sliced
1 red onion slice, quartered
2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
DRESSING:
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine the lettuce, tomato, cucumber, radishes, onion, olives and feta cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 89 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 265mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips for Making the Perfect Zesty Garden Salad:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: This will make all the difference in the flavor of your salad. Look for crisp, colorful vegetables that are free of blemishes.
Wash your vegetables thoroughly: This will help to remove any dirt or pesticides. You can use a salad spinner to dry the vegetables quickly.
Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces: This will help them to cook evenly. If you are using a variety of vegetables, cut them into different shapes and sizes for a more visually appealing salad.
Marinate the vegetables: This will help to infuse them with flavor. You can use a simple vinaigrette dressing or a more complex marinade with herbs, spices, and citrus juice.
Cook the vegetables properly: If you are using raw vegetables, make sure to wash them thoroughly before eating. If you are cooking the vegetables, make sure to cook them until they are tender-crisp. Overcooked vegetables will be mushy and bland.
Assemble the salad just before serving: This will help to prevent the vegetables from wilting. You can add the dressing to the salad just before serving, or you can serve the dressing on the side.

Conclusion:

With its vibrant colors, crisp textures, and tangy dressing, the Zesty Garden Salad is a refreshing and healthy dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables, and it can be easily customized to suit your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a light and healthy meal, give the Zesty Garden Salad a try. You won't be disappointed!