Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 medium eggplant, chopped into large chunks
- 2 zucchini, sliced
- 2 yellow squash, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
- 8 ounces mushrooms, halved
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
For Grilling
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garlic Herb Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil
- Crumbled goat cheese or feta
- Balsamic glaze drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat Grill. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it’s ready for cooking the vegetables evenly and achieving a nice char.
- Prepare Vegetables. Place the chopped eggplant, sliced zucchini, yellow squash, chopped bell peppers, red onion wedges, halved mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and season well with salt and black pepper. Toss to coat all the vegetables evenly.
- Grill Vegetables. Arrange the vegetables on the grill and cook until tender and lightly charred, turning occasionally for even cooking. Grill zucchini and squash for 3–4 minutes per side, eggplant and onions for 4–5 minutes per side, mushrooms about 5 minutes total, and cherry tomatoes for 2–3 minutes.
- Cool and Chop. Remove the grilled vegetables from the grill and let them cool slightly. If needed, chop larger pieces into bite-sized chunks to prepare for tossing in the salad.
- Make Vinaigrette. In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, chopped basil, parsley, and salt and pepper until fully combined to create the garlic herb vinaigrette.
- Toss Salad. Transfer the grilled vegetables to a large serving bowl or platter. Drizzle the garlic herb vinaigrette over the vegetables and gently toss to evenly coat all the pieces with the dressing.
- Garnish and Serve. Garnish the salad with fresh basil leaves, crumbled goat cheese or feta, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a touch of sweetness and complexity. Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature as desired.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm vegetables for the best grilling results and texture.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broil the vegetables in the oven but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- The salad can be made ahead and served cold or at room temperature, making it ideal for picnics or meal prep.
- For vegan options, omit the cheese or use a plant-based cheese substitute.
- Adding fresh herbs like thyme or oregano can enhance the flavor even more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian