Colorful Ribbon Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe – Fresh & Tasty!

Every kitchen adventure starts with a ribbon salad that promises vibrant colors and refreshing tastes.

Mediterranean herbs and crisp vegetables dance across your plate with unexpected elegance.

Raw ingredients spark conversations and create memorable moments around the dinner table.

Texture plays a delightful role in this light, zesty creation.

Slicing vegetables becomes an art form when you approach it with creativity and passion.

Fresh, seasonal produce transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

She loves how this salad brings joy and wellness to any meal.

Best Tips For Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp vegetable peeler or mandoline for creating uniform, paper-thin ribbons that ensure even dressing distribution and elegant presentation.
• Customize Your Greens: Swap or mix vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference, keeping the ribbon thickness consistent for balanced texture.
• Control Dressing Intensity: Adjust vinaigrette quantities gradually to prevent overwhelming delicate vegetable ribbons, tasting as you mix for perfect seasoning.
• Chill for Enhanced Flavor: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper taste profiles.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Experiment with adding protein like grilled chicken, tofu, or quinoa to transform this light side dish into a complete, satisfying meal.

Why Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette Tastes So Fresh

• Craft Effortless Elegance: This ribbon salad transforms ordinary vegetables into a stunning, restaurant-worthy dish with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Speedy Nutrition Boost: Prepare this vibrant salad in just 15 minutes, delivering a quick, healthy meal packed with fresh vegetables and zesty orange flavor.
• Customize Your Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, adding different herbs, or experimenting with cheese and nut combinations to suit personal taste preferences.
• Summer Gathering Star: Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and light lunches, this colorful salad looks impressive and tastes refreshing, making it a crowd-pleasing option for warm-weather gatherings.

Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette Ingredient List

• Carrots, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber: Colorful and crisp vegetables sliced into delicate ribbons, creating a light and visually appealing salad base. Choose firm, fresh vegetables for the best texture and appearance.

• Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Bright, citrusy flavor that adds freshness and tanginess to the dressing. Use fresh oranges for the most vibrant taste.
• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend the dressing and adds richness. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavor.
• Vinegar: Adds brightness and helps balance the dressing's flavors. White wine or apple cider vinegar work well.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out the dressing's flavor profile. Choose raw honey for more depth.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad. Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal notes. Basil, parsley, or chives are excellent choices.
• Cheese: Optional creamy element that adds richness. Feta or goat cheese complement the salad nicely.
• Nuts: Optional crunchy topping that provides texture contrast. Toasted almonds or pine nuts work great.

How To Put Together Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

Step 1: Create Veggie Ribbons

Grab your trusty vegetable peeler or mandoline and transform carrots, zucchini, squash, and cucumber into delicate, elegant ribbons. Gently guide your tool along the length of each vegetable, creating long, silky strips. Collect these colorful ribbons in a spacious mixing bowl, letting them pile up like a vibrant edible artwork.

Step 2: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Fresh orange juice
• Orange zest
• Extra virgin olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Golden honey
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Whisk or shake these ingredients with gusto until they blend into a harmonious, tangy dressing that promises to wake up your taste buds.

Step 3: Dress the Salad

Pour the sunshine-bright orange vinaigrette over your veggie ribbons. Use a gentle hand to toss the salad, ensuring each ribbon gets a loving coating of the bright, citrusy dressing. Watch as the colors and flavors start to dance together.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

• Chopped fresh herbs (like basil or parsley)
• Crumbled feta or goat cheese
• Toasted almonds or pine nuts

Serve the salad immediately to capture its crisp texture, or let it chill for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and mellow. This dish is a celebration of fresh, seasonal produce that’s sure to impress!

How To Keep Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette Crisp

• Refrigerate leftover ribbon salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Keep dressing and vegetables separate to prevent sogginess and maintain crisp texture.
• Pat vegetables dry with paper towels before storing to reduce excess moisture.
• Consume chilled for the best flavor and crunch when enjoying this refreshing salad later.

Dishes That Go Well With Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the light, fresh ribbon salad perfectly, enhancing the citrusy orange vinaigrette with its bright acidity.
• Match with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish to create a balanced meal. The delicate vegetable ribbons and zesty dressing will beautifully contrast the protein's hearty texture.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or french baguette to soak up the remaining orange vinaigrette. The bread's crusty exterior provides a delightful crunch against the soft vegetable ribbons.
• Add Refreshing Side Drink: A sparkling water with a slice of orange or a light citrus mocktail mirrors the salad's bright flavors and cleanses the palate between bites.

Ways To Change Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

• Summer Garden Medley: Replace zucchini and squash with colorful bell peppers and radish ribbons for a crunchy, vibrant salad that showcases seasonal garden vegetables.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh dill to create a Greek-inspired ribbon salad with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Citrus Kick: Mix in thinly sliced jalapeños and swap honey with agave nectar, then garnish with cilantro and toasted pumpkin seeds for a zesty, spicy version that tingles the taste buds.
• Asian-Inspired Ribbon Salad: Swap orange vinaigrette with a sesame-ginger dressing, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, and add julienned green onions for an elegant Asian-influenced vegetable salad.

Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette FAQ Guide

• Why use a vegetable peeler or mandoline for this salad?

A peeler or mandoline helps create uniform, thin ribbons that look beautiful and absorb dressing evenly. These tools make the vegetables look elegant and ensure a consistent texture throughout the salad.

• Can I use different vegetables for the ribbons?

Yes! While the recipe suggests carrots, zucchini, squash, and cucumber, you can experiment with other firm vegetables like parsnips, asparagus, or yellow squash. Just ensure they’re fresh and can be sliced thinly.

• Is the orange vinaigrette very sweet?

The vinaigrette balances sweetness from honey with tangy orange juice and acidic vinegar. It’s not overly sweet but has a bright, refreshing flavor that complements the raw vegetables perfectly.

• How do I know if my ribbons are cut correctly?

Your vegetable ribbons should be thin, long, and flexible. They shouldn’t be too thick or break when you bend them. Aim for ribbons about 1/8 inch thick for the best texture and appearance.

Ribbon Salad With Orange Vinaigrette Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Elegant ribbon salad with orange vinaigrette weaves colorful vegetable strips into a refreshing summer masterpiece. Crisp garden vegetables drizzled with zesty citrus dressing create a light, delightful experience you’ll savor with each vibrant bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 2 medium carrots, peeled into ribbons
• 1 medium zucchini, shaved into ribbons
• 1 yellow squash, shaved into ribbons
• 0.5 cucumber, peeled into ribbons
• 0.25 red onion, thinly sliced

Herbs and Cheese:

• 0.25 cup chopped fresh mint or basil
• 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese or shaved Parmesan

Optional Toppings:

• toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

Vinaigrette:

• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) orange zest
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) honey or maple syrup
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Transform colorful vegetables into delicate, translucent ribbons using a sharp vegetable peeler or mandoline, creating elegant strips of carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumber.
2. Deposit the vegetable ribbons into a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring they are loosely arranged and ready to absorb the vibrant dressing.
3. Craft a zesty orange vinaigrette by combining freshly squeezed orange juice and its fragrant zest with smooth olive oil, tangy vinegar, golden honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Vigorously whisk the vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar or bowl until they emulsify into a harmonious, glossy mixture.
5. Gently cascade the citrus-infused dressing over the vegetable ribbons, using a light folding motion to ensure each strand is evenly coated without breaking the delicate texture.
6. Enhance the salad’s complexity by sprinkling a medley of finely chopped fresh herbs, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts across the surface.
7. For optimal flavor melding, allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving, or present immediately for a crisp, refreshing experience.

Notes

• Use a sharp vegetable peeler or mandoline for uniform, paper-thin ribbons that ensure even dressing absorption and elegant presentation.
• Chill ingredients beforehand to maintain crisp texture and prevent ribbons from becoming soggy when dressed.
• Select fresh, firm vegetables at peak ripeness for maximum flavor and visual appeal in the salad.
• Adjust vinaigrette sweetness by varying honey quantity to accommodate different taste preferences or dietary needs like reducing sugar intake.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 5mg