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Fresh 5-Minute Salad Recipe Easy Crisp Veggies with Light Vinaigrette

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A quick and easy fresh salad featuring crisp veggies tossed in a light, tangy vinaigrette. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup mixed bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced and soaked in cold water
  • 1 medium carrot, grated or julienned
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash all fresh veggies thoroughly. Peel the cucumber if preferred, then thinly slice about 1/4 inch thick. Dice bell peppers into 1/2 inch cubes. Halve cherry tomatoes. Grate or julienne the carrot. Thinly slice the red onion and soak in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain to mellow the flavor.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Whisk vigorously until smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  3. Add all prepped veggies and chopped herbs to the bowl with the vinaigrette. Gently toss with tongs or salad servers to coat evenly without bruising the veggies.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for best crunch and flavor. Optionally chill for 10 minutes before serving but avoid letting it sit too long to prevent sogginess.

Notes

Use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar for a brighter flavor. Swap honey for maple syrup to keep it vegan. Add nuts or seeds for extra crunch. Prepare veggies ahead but toss with dressing just before serving to maintain crispness. Avoid overdressing to keep veggies crunchy.

Nutrition

Keywords: fresh salad, quick salad, easy salad, vinaigrette, crisp veggies, healthy salad, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/fresh-5-minute-salad-recipe-easy-crisp-veggies-with-light-vinaigrette/