Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad

Jump to Recipe

Get ready to meet your new favorite salad: Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad! This delightful dish is light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect companion for a warm day when you want something cool and crisp to munch on. With thinly sliced zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy red onion, and fragrant fresh basil, every bite is like a taste of summer. Topped with a simple lemon-olive oil dressing and a sprinkle of crumbled feta (if you like!), this salad is a vibrant and healthy option that’s great for lunch or dinner.

DON’T LOSE THIS DELICIOUS RECIPE, PIN IT FOR LATER!

Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

What makes this salad even better? It’s quick and easy to prepare! With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this colorful and nutritious salad in a flash. Whether you’re looking to add more veggies to your diet or want a light yet satisfying meal, this Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s super versatile—pair it with grilled chicken, toss it into a wrap, or simply enjoy it on its own. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore what makes this salad so special!

Jump to the Content You're Looking For:

What is Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad?
What Makes This Zucchini Salad Healthy?
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad Recipe
What Tools Do You Need to Make This Salad?
Ingredients you’ll need
How to make this Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad Recipe
TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Cold Summer Zucchini Salad Recipe

What is Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad?

Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish featuring fresh, raw zucchini sliced thinly and mixed with other garden-fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes, red onion, and basil. Dressed with a zesty lemon-olive oil vinaigrette and optionally topped with feta cheese, this salad is light yet satisfying. It’s perfect as a side dish, a main course, or even as a snack when you’re craving something wholesome and tasty.

What Makes This Zucchini Salad Healthy?

Zucchini is a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable packed with vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and essential minerals. The salad also includes tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene, and red onion, which adds a punch of flavor and a dose of vitamin C. The olive oil-based dressing provides healthy fats that help absorb all these nutrients, and the optional feta adds a bit of protein and tang. All in all, this salad is a great way to get a range of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats in one bowl!

RELATED: Slow Cooker, Low Carb, Zucchini Soup – Embrace the essence of autumn with a nourishing Slow Cooker, Low Carb Zucchini Soup that’s as comforting as it is delicious.

Zuchini Salad Recipe 15 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

↑ Back to top.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, this salad is perfect for busy days.
Light and Refreshing: Ideal for warm weather or when you want a lighter meal.
Packed with Flavor: A combination of fresh ingredients and a tangy dressing makes every bite delicious.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or nuts.
Nutritious: Loaded with fresh veggies, healthy fats, and optional protein from feta cheese.

What Tools Do You Need to Make This Salad?

A large mixing bowl
A small bowl for the dressing
A whisk or fork to mix the dressing
A mandolin slicer to slice zucchini
A sharp knife and cutting board

Ingredients you’ll need

Zuchini Salad Recipe 1 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

For the salad

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

For the dressing

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

For the garnish

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.

↑ Back to top.

How to make this Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad Recipe

Prepare the Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and basil.

Zuchini Salad Recipe 8 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Zuchini Salad Recipe 4 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat the vegetables evenly.

Zuchini Salad Recipe 12 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

Serve: Sprinkle the feta cheese on top if using, and serve immediately. Enjoy your fresh and tasty zucchini salad!

Zuchini Salad Recipe 14 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

Make this Summer Zucchini Salad, then check out my Slow Cooker, Low Carb, Zucchini Soup, my Easy Cold Green Pea Salad with Bacon and Creamy Dressing and more of my delicious fall salads.

↑ Back to top.

TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Read on for tips and substitution ideas on how to make this recipe, such as how to customize this salad, and how to store this salad.

Can I use a different type of dressing?

Absolutely! A balsamic vinaigrette or a tahini-based dressing would also work great.

Can I add protein to this salad?

Yes, grilled chicken, chickpeas, or even some quinoa would make great additions.

Is this salad good for meal prep?

It can be, but it’s best to store the dressing separately and add it just before serving to keep the veggies crisp.

Can I use yellow squash instead of zucchini?

Definitely! Yellow squash is a great substitute and adds a nice color variation.

How thin should the zucchini be sliced?

Aim for thin, almost paper-like slices to keep the texture light and enjoyable.

How to Store Leftovers of Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you plan to store the salad, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to prevent the zucchini from becoming soggy.

↑ Back to top.

Zuchini Salad Recipe 17 - This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

This Healthy Cold Zucchini Salad is the perfect go-to recipe when you want a light, healthy, and delicious meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner, easy to whip up, and full of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple for any salad lover!

🍂 CELEBRATE Fall with

12+ Easy Fall Salad Recipes

From vibrant harvest quinoa creations to soul-soothing butternut squash medleys, delve into these tasty fall salads that capture the very essence of fall.

See more Fall Salad Recipes

Other Cold Summer Salad recipes to try

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: A Fiesta in Your Bowl! – This vibrant salad combines the zesty, creamy goodness of elote (Mexican street corn) with tender pasta, making it an irresistible side dish or a stand-alone meal for those lazy days when cooking feels like a chore.
Summer Butter Bean Salad: A Refreshing Delight for Sunny Days – a burst of summer flavors in every bite, marrying creamy beans with crunchy vegetables and a zesty dressing. Whether you’re planning a picnic, a potluck, or just a simple weeknight dinner, this dish has got you covered.
Vegan Avocado Black Bean Salad – Packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with flavors, this salad is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a nutritional powerhouse.

Cold Summer Zucchini Salad Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This fresh zucchini salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for warm weather. With simple ingredients and a quick preparation, it's an easy and tasty addition to any meal.