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Iowa Thunder & Lightning Salad

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Submitted by nell

Iowa Thunder and Lightning Salad is a Midwest marinated vegetable salad with cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers in a sweet vinegar and honey dressing. Chills for 2 days for bold flavor.

YIELD

4 servings

PREP

10 min

COOK

0 min

READY

2 days

Straight out of the Midwest, this make-ahead marinated salad gets its name from the bold contrast of crunchy raw vegetables against a sweet-and-tangy vinegar dressing. Shredded cabbage, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onion all soak in a honey-sweetened dressing for two full days.

That chilling time is what makes this salad work. The vegetables soften just enough to absorb the dressing without going limp, and the flavors meld into something much bigger than the sum of its parts. A hot chili pepper in the mix adds a slow burn that plays against the brown sugar and honey sweetness.

This is a potluck star. Make it Sunday, serve it Tuesday, and watch the bowl come back empty.

Pro Tips

  • Don’t skip the two-day chill. One day gives you a decent salad, but two days gives you Thunder & Lightning
  • Shake or stir the container a couple of times during those two days so the dressing reaches every layer
  • Use firm, ripe tomatoes. Overripe ones will break down into mush during the long marination
  • The dressing sweetness is adjustable. Start with less sugar and taste after day one, then add more if you like it sweeter

Variations

  • Extra crunch: Add shredded carrots or thinly sliced radishes to the vegetable mix
  • Dial up the heat: Use a habanero instead of a standard chili pepper for serious fire
  • Apple cider twist: Swap white vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a rounder, warmer tang

Ingredients

2 473
CUPS ML CABBAGE
shredded
5 5
EACH TOMATOES
chopped
1 1
EACH EACH HOT CHILI PEPPER *
1 1
EACH ONION
sliced
2 2
EACH CUCUMBERS
sliced
2 2
EACH EACH SWEET BELL PEPPER
cubed
Dressing
½ 118
CUP ML WATER
½ 118
CUP ML VINEGAR
½ 2.5
TEASPOON ML SALT
¼ 59
CUP ML SUGAR
¼ 59
CUP ML BROWN SUGAR *
1 15
TABLESPOON ML HONEY
½ 118
CUP ML OLIVE OIL

Directions

Combine dressing ingredients and toss vegetables together.

Add dressing to vegetables.

Mix well. Place in an airtight container and chill 2 days before serving.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 515g (18.2 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 392 64% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 28g 43%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 316mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 12%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Sugars g
Protein 7g
Vitamin A 31% Vitamin C 347%
Calcium 6% Iron 8%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Low Cholesterol, Cholesterol-Free, Trans-fat Free, Good source of fiber
 

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