Looking for the perfect summer salad? Check out this perfect Grilled Vegetable Chopped salad which creates the perfect bite each and every time.
I’m constantly searching for the ‘perfect bite’ with eat meal. It’s been a habit since I was a kid, though I have no idea where it started. When I’m eating a salad, you can catch me very carefully piling one of each ingredient on to my fork in an effort to get a bit of everything in a bit. This is why I adore chopped salads – everything is cute the perfect size so I don’t have to dislodge my jaw trying to fit my perfect ‘bite’ into my mouth.
You know what else I love? No dishes. From early spring to late, late fall you can find me running in and out of my back door checking on our grill because in the grill I can make 18 million components to a meal at one without dirtying a single pan. Not to mention, using the grill means not heating up our house and since I’m boycotting fully installing our ACs (we’ve been using the fan on one in a window that we don’t open because it doesn’t have a screen) we need to keep the extra heat out as much as possible.
That is how this amazing little salad came to fruition. It mixed my love of summer grilling and chopped salads to create the perfect grilled vegetable chopped salad – perfect for a summer day. When my friends over at Tessemae’s sent me some of their product (FYI I worked with Tessemae’s through Mom It Forward and received some product and compensation for this post, but as always, all opinions are my own.) I knew exactly what I wanted to make with them.
I’ve always been so intruiged by this brand – so many people use and love them and their products are Whole30 approved. Since I’m off sugar for now, I’m so happy that there are brands and products out there like Tessamae’s that concentrate on clean, quality ingredients that I’m happy to give everyone in my family.
Tessemae’s was created when the 3 Vetter brother’s realized that the salad dressing their mother had made through their childhood couldn’t be beat by anything in stores – in taste or quality. Tessemae’s All Natural was born and now had a line of 25 condiments and marinades – all of which are USDA organic, gluten free, non-gmo, vegan and Whole30 approved – and contain no added sugar or xantham gum. Since everything I eat my own toddler immediately wants as well, I really appreciate that I can use the dressing on my food and also feel good about letting Ryan dip veggies in it as well. Tessemae’s is basically what you would create in your own kitchen, but already done perfectly and sitting in your fridge.
You can find Tessemae’s All Natural online at tessemaes.com – use the code TESSELOVE to get 10% off your purchase! I’m dying to try their ketchup, (made with date paste and NO SUGAR or corn syrup!!! Being a ketchup addicted family, I can’t wait.) Lemon Chesapeake and Chesapeake mayo (CRAB SEASONING!! <33) and the BBQ sauce!
Grilled Vegetable Chopped Salad
serves 2
Ingredients
.5 each yellow and green squash
1 onion
about 1 cup of grape tomatoes
about 10 button mushrooms*
1 corn cob
1 bell pepper
greens of choice**
Tessamae’s Lemon Garlic Dressing and Marinade
Tessamae’s Green Goddess Dressing and Marinade
optional: protein of choice, avocado, chopped nuts of choice.
Cut all vegetables to be grilled and skewer anything too small to grill. (see below) Coat all vegetabled in Tessamae’s Lemon Garlic Dressing and Marinade before grilling. (I didn’t coat the corn, just shucked it and placed it on the top rack of the grill while everything was cooking, turning occasionally.) If using, marinate protein – I used chicken thighs – in Tessamae’s Lemon Garlic Dressing and Marinade. Grill vegetables on medium high until cooked through and charred. Each vegetable will be a little different, so be sure to keep an eye on it. Remove and allow to cool a but while grilling the protein.
Add grilled vegetables** to top of greens. I’ve found there to be 2 easy ways of chopping everything at once for a chopped salad – in the bowl or on a cutting board. In a bowl, just take a pair of kitchen shears and go at it – this would be a lot of fun for kids and doesn’t make extra dishes. On a cutting board, lay everything out on the cutting board and go at it with 2 knives. Messier, but quicker and infinitely more fun.
Pour your desired amount of dressing over the chopped salad and stir to coat before topping with chopped avocado and nuts (I used almonds) if desired.
Notes:
*I used about half of a container and quartered them. Feel free to use whole portabello mushrooms or any other mushroom of choice.
*I used Italian mix in a bag because I feel it’s sturdier and can handle more.
*If you prefer, allow your vegetables to cool before adding to greens – this will combat any warming or wilting. Personally, I like adding warm food to salad, but I know that it’s a personal preference.
So tell me – do you like chopped salads? Are you a summer griller? Are you constantly searching of that perfect bite? Let me know in the comments!
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Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Ohhhh I love how fresh and healthy this is. What a great use for grilled veggies too. I often am in search of a perfect bite and love chopped salads.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I look for the perfect bite with everything (and usually save it for last). That means I often eat around the edges of a sandwich or cookie to get to the perfect middle, and people totally make fun of me for it.
Grilled vegetables make me so happy! Put ’em all in a salad, and that’s even better, right? I have a “green goddess” style grilled salad I’ve been meaning to share.
Emily says
Mmmmm….. Wow, this really appeals to my love for HUGE salads with all the toppings. I’ve seen Tessemae’s so many places, and that’s neat to hear how they developed it. I love companies that were developed from a family recipe. 🙂
alexandra @ my urban family says
This looks so good! Yum. I haven’t thought about grilling veggies to put in a salad. Summer salads are my favorite though.
Kim says
Yum! I love a good salad full of delicious veggie! I am pinning this and saving to make soon!
Lindsey says
Yum!! Can’t wait to try this out!!
Charlene Asay says
I have never tried this dressing. It’s looks great. Your salad sounds amazing!
GiGi Eats says
YOU TOTALLY made this salad for me – because this is hands down my favorite way to chow down on salad! Grilled veggies FOR THE WIN!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Yum!! Sounds delicious–i love chopped salads in the summer! I used to love the middle part of frozen waffles when i was little and would eat the edges first before enjoying the “perfect bites” middle sections! haha
Jasmine Hewitt says
Sounds great! I hope I can try this soon!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
Oooooh, this is my kinda salad! I can never get enough grilled veggies!
Mal says
yum yum yum yum
Kat & Sara | The Mama Bears says
This salad looks amazing! I’ve never tried adding grilled vegetables to my salads before, but this is the perfect summer dish!! Thanks for sharing your recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
Stacey says
My mouth is watering! Looks delicious! I just printed the recipe…thanks!
Karren Haller says
Your salad and recipes look like a nice change, making me hungry!!
Thank you for sharing on Oh My Heartsie Girls WW this week!
Have a great week!
Erika says
That salad looks delicious! And might be on the menu for dinner this week now. Thanks!
Abby says
What a great summer salad! #alittler&r
Stephanie Flores says
wow this looks amazing and i want to try it! i will be sure to give it a go! Thanks for this
Tara Siudy (Little Miss Dexterous) says
This grilled veggie salad looks AMAZING! Pinned and sharing!
I would love to invite you to link up at the Meet Up Monday Link Party live Sunday 8PM EST. ?
http://www.littlemissdexterous.com
Jamie Marie says
It looks yummy, thanks for sharing on the Homesteader hop!
Ginger Wroot says
I’ve always loved salads with lettuce that gets a little wilted from the still-slightly-warm veggies and/or proteins that are added to it, along with plenty of kick-ass dressing. And yes, every bite is pretty much perfect! –Ginger
http://gingerwroot.com
Michelle says
Yum and Yum again! The perfect summer meal.
Miz Helen says
We would love your Grilled Vegetable Chopped Salad, it looks delicious. I really appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great weekend!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
creativejewishmom/sara says
wow, looks amazing! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling sunday, in the future please link to your blog, not to pinterest,, thanks!
Angela Roberts says
This salad looks delicious!! I pinned so I can make it soon, thank you for sharing!
Chloe Crabtree says
I love a chopped salad, too, and I hadn’t thought about making it with grilled vegetables. I hadn’t heard of these dressings and marinades, I will have to see if they are available in our are. Thanks so much for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Sherry Nappa says
I love grilled veggies! This salad looks divine, too. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
Sandra Garth says
We’ve been having tons of salads lately and I would love to try Tessamae’s.
Sara Syrett says
This looks like a yummy summer salad. I am going to try this when I my summer garden is ready! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! Visiting from http://www.twelveonmain.com. Have a great week.
swathi says
This is my kind of salad, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning and tweeting.
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe was featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you enjoy your new Red Plate and have a great week!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen