We love this grilled cauliflower salad! Made with baby arugula, grilled corn and toasty cauliflower, it’s drizzled in a smashed feta vinaigrette and topped with chopped pistachios. There is lots of flavor, texture and it’s super satisfying too!
Grilled vegetable salads are where it’s at this summer!
This toasty grilled cauliflower salad is served over spicy arugula, filled with grilled corn and my favorite feta dressing ever. It’s crunchy and creamy and absolutely wonderful!
I love grilling cauliflower. Much like roasting it, grilling the cauliflower makes it golden and toasty and really imparts it with so much smoky flavor. I’ve always said that roasted cauliflower almost tastes like popcorn, in a way – and this version is even better. Every bit can become charred and toasty.
You will love it too!
This is how it all comes together:
I grill the cauliflower first. It takes longer than, say, peppers and onions since it’s a fibrous veggie. I use my favorite grill pan (it’s truly the best) and let it go for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, then toss it well. After about 15 to 20 minutes, it will be done.
While the cauliflower is on the grill, I also add a few ears of corn! This can be one ear or four ears, depending on how corn-heavy you want the salad to be. I lay my corn directly on the grill and let it char for a few minutes.
Then the rest of the bowl is super simple. I season arugula with lots of salt and pepper. I slice the corn from the cob and throw that and the cauliflower in with the arugula.
Then comes the dressing. Drizzle it all over because it’s the KEY for this salad. It’s what makes this, well, a SALAD. Best dressing ever.
After that, a nice little shower of chopped pistachios for extra crunch. I can never have enough crunch, we know this.
The combo is a bowl of peppery arugula with sweet (corn!) and savory (cauli! dressing!) flavors and the perfect bite. Cannot get enough of this.
The smashed feta vinaigrette is nothing new. But it’s FABULOUS!!
I first shared this recipe with my grilled vegetable orzo salad. Another big favorite around here.
This dressing is something else. It’s a vinaigrette, but since we shake and whisk the feta into it, it gets a slightly creamy consistency as the cheese breaks down. The whole mixture also marinates the feta, making it even more delicious. There is lemon, lots of fresh herbs, that tangy, creamy cheese – ah! Really couldn’t ask for anything more in a delicious vinaigrette.
I love this dressing because it also acts as the cheese in the salad. It’s just EASY. And it will last in the fridge for a few days too, getting even better as it sits. This is not one that you want to pass up!
So this whole bowl/salad situation is one of the best weeknight meals you can make for yourself. There is so much texture and crunch and it’s very satisfying. Plus – making it on the grill equals minimal clean up!
Um, hello, that is my favorite part.
As usual, this can be a salad for your dinner. It can also be a side dish or a starter salad! And of course, another base to add some grilled cheese or steak. Or you can also add in roasted chickpeas, which is my personal favorite for this dish.
So darn good. (more…)
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