Refreshing Zucchini Noodle Salad (Printable)
Crisp spiralized zucchini with fresh vegetables and zesty citrus dressing for a light, refreshing dish perfect for summer.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
→ Citrus Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
12 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
14 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (omit for vegan version)
15 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds
# How To Make It:
01 - Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrots, chopped basil, and chopped mint. Toss gently to combine.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lime juice, honey or agave syrup, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk until the dressing is fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the citrus dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently using salad tongs, ensuring all the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds over the salad. Toss lightly to distribute the toppings without breaking the delicate zucchini noodles.
05 - Serve immediately for peak freshness and crunch. Alternatively, refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled for the best flavor.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Zero cooking required, which means your kitchen stays cool and you stay sane on hot days.
- The dressing doubles as a marinade for chicken or fish if you want to stretch it into tomorrow's dinner.
02 -
- Zucchini noodles release water fast, so this salad is best eaten within an hour of assembling or it turns into a puddle.
- Toasting pine nuts in a hot pan takes about 90 seconds and they go from golden to charcoal in the blink of an eye.
03 -
- Pat the spiralized zucchini dry with a clean towel before assembling to prevent diluting the dressing.
- Make a double batch of the citrus dressing and keep it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.