Easy Healthy Recipes: Simple Vegetarian Salads with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Looking for a simple way to make your salads healthier and more flavorful? Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply cooking for one, an easy swap is replacing creamy, mayo-based dressings with an olive oil dressing made from high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Not only does it add fresh flavor to vegetables, grains, and pasta salads, but it also helps create lighter, more versatile meals that fit a variety of healthy eating patterns.

These healthy salad recipes are perfect for meal prep, easy lunches, hearty dinners, or crowd-pleasing side dishes. Before diving into the recipes, learn how to make simple homemade dressings using extra virgin olive oil.

How Do You Make a Healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil Salad Dressing?

A homemade extra virgin olive oil salad dressing is one of the easiest ways to elevate a salad while keeping ingredients simple and fresh. The foundation of most dressings starts with extra virgin olive oil, combined with an acid such as vinegar or citrus juice and a few seasonings.

For a simple homemade dressing, combine:

• ¼ cup Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons Bertolli Balsamic Vinegar or lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional herbs such as basil, oregano, or parsley

Whisk the ingredients together until combined and drizzle over your favorite salad. A homemade extra virgin olive oil salad dressing can be prepared in minutes and stored in the refrigerator for several days.

What Are the Benefits of Using Olive Oil Dressing Instead of Creamy Salad Dressings?

Many traditional dressings rely on mayonnaise, sour cream, or other creamy ingredients. Choosing an olive oil dressing instead can help highlight the natural flavors of vegetables while keeping recipes light and versatile.

Some benefits of using an olive oil dressing include:

• Made with simple ingredients.
• Complements a wide variety of vegetables, grains, and legumes.
• Easy to customize with herbs, spices, and vinegars.
• Suitable for vegetarian and many plant-based recipes.
• Adds rich flavor without overpowering fresh ingredients.

Whether you’re preparing a grain bowl, pasta salad, or leafy green salad, an olive oil dressing is an easy addition to everyday meals.

How Do You Make an Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Salad Dressing?

An olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing is a classic combination that pairs well with vegetables, grains, pasta salads, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

To make a simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing, combine:

• 3 tablespoons Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon  Bertolli Balsamic Vinegar 
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Whisk until smooth or shake in a sealed jar. This easy olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Healthy Vegetarian Salad Recipes with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

These healthy vegetarian salad recipes combine fresh vegetables, whole grains, pasta, and homemade dressings made with Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Bertolli Vinegars. They’re easy to prepare, perfect for meal prep or entertaining, and show how simple ingredients can create flavorful, satisfying meals.

Tomato Corn Avocado Pasta Salad

By Rene Barker of @thissavoryvegan

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pasta of choice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup corn
• ¼ to ½ red onion, sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 5 large basil leaves, chopped
• ⅓ cup Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ cup Bertolli Red Wine Vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
   2. Drain and rinse with cold water.
   3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables, avocado, and basil.
   4. In a small bowl or mason jar, create a homemade olive oil dressing by combining the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
   5. Whisk or shake until fully combined.
   6. Add the pasta, tomatoes, corn, and red onion to a large bowl and toss together.
   7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
   8. Just before serving, add the avocado, basil, and dressing. Toss gently and enjoy.

Greek Wheatberry Salad

By Molly Cleary of @sayyestothefreshh

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wheat berries
• 1 cucumber
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup fresh basil
• ½ cup fresh parsley
• 1 (15.5 oz.) can low-sodium chickpeas
• ¼ cup Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ cup Bertolli Red Wine Vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the wheat berries with 3½ cups of water and bring to a boil.
2. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the wheat berries are tender and the water has been absorbed.
3. While the wheat berries cook, chop the cucumber, tomatoes, basil, and parsley. Add them to a large mixing bowl.
4. Drain the chickpeas and add them to the bowl along with the cooked wheat berries.
5. Prepare a simple extra virgin olive oil salad dressing by combining the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
7. Fold in the feta cheese and serve.

Whether served as a side dish or a complete meal, these salads showcase how extra virgin olive oil can be used in everything from quick lunches to healthy dinner recipes.

Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Works So Well in Salad Dressings

From simple vinaigrettes to grain-based salads and pasta dishes, extra virgin olive oil salad dressing recipes offer a delicious way to enhance fresh ingredients. Whether you’re making a classic olive oil dressing or experimenting with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing, using high-quality Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil helps create flavorful, versatile dressings that complement a wide variety of vegetarian recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade extra virgin olive oil salad dressing last?

A homemade extra virgin olive oil salad dressing can typically be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. Before serving, allow the dressing to come to room temperature and shake or whisk well to recombine the ingredients.

What ingredients can be added to an olive oil dressing?

An olive oil dressing can be customized with ingredients such as garlic, fresh herbs, Dijon mustard, citrus juice, honey, or different types of vinegar. These additions can help create a variety of flavors to complement different salads.

What is the best ratio for olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing?

A common ratio for an olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing is three parts olive oil to one part balsamic vinegar. This balance helps create a smooth dressing with a rich flavor that pairs well with vegetables, grains, and pasta salads.

Can extra virgin olive oil salad dressing be made ahead of time?

Yes. An extra virgin olive oil salad dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Making dressings ahead of time is a simple way to streamline meal prep and weeknight cooking.

Which salads pair best with olive oil dressing?

An olive oil dressing works well with leafy green salads, grain salads, pasta salads, bean salads, and Mediterranean-inspired recipes. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for both simple side dishes and hearty main-course salads.