Mediterranean Marinated Cauliflower Salad Recipe
A vibrant Mediterranean Marinated Cauliflower Salad featuring tender-crisp cauliflower florets combined with cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, and fresh parsley, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing with herbs and garlic. Perfect as a refreshing side or light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blanching and No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup black olives (Kalamata)
- ⅓ cup green olives
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Blanch the Cauliflower: Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the cauliflower florets for 1-2 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the cauliflower into an ice bath to halt the cooking process and preserve their crunch and color.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the blanched cauliflower florets, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, black and green olives, and chopped fresh parsley. Gently toss to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes until fully emulsified and well combined.
- Dress the Salad and Marinate: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is coated. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Blanching the cauliflower ensures it stays crisp while reducing its raw bitterness.
- The salad can be prepared a day in advance; flavors intensify with time.
- For a spicier salad, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chopped chili.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as a light vegetarian main dish.
- Use fresh herbs if available for a brighter flavor.
Keywords: Mediterranean salad, cauliflower salad, marinated cauliflower, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, olive oil dressing
