Grilled Cornbread Salad with Red Onions, Arugula, and Red Wine Vinaigrette

A fresh summer salad featuring grilled cornbread cubes tossed with red onions, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and basil in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. This hearty salad combines the richness of cornbread with crisp vegetables and a zesty dressing.

6 servings
45 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • cup olive oil
  • 1 spray Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 loaf Buttermilk Cornbread with Monterey Jack Cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 2 whole red onions
  • 12 ounces cherry tomatoes
  • 5 ounces baby arugula
  • 2 cups basil leaves
  • ½ whole English hothouse cucumber
  • ½ cup oil-cured black olives
  • pitted

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk vinegar, shallots, and mustard in small bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature and rewhisk before using.)

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Spray grill rack with nonstick spray. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Cut cornbread into 4 squares; remove from pan. Cut each square into four 1-inch-wide strips. Brush cornbread strips lightly on all sides with oil. Grill bread just until grill marks appear, about 1 minute per side. Transfer bread to work surface; cool. Brush onion rounds with oil. Grill until tender and golden, turning once, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer to large bowl; cool.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Separate onion rounds into rings; return onions to same bowl. (Grilled cornbread and onions can be prepared 4 hours ahead; let stand at room temperature.)

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Add tomatoes, arugula, basil, cucumber, and olives to bowl with onion rings. Add vinaigrette and toss to coat, then add cornbread and toss gently; serve.

    5 min