Vegan Salad Recipes

Freshen up your table with these bright and fresh vegan salad recipes. Healthy and delicious, I can say with confidence that there’s a salad that you’ll love in this mix!

Great big, fresh, colourful vegan salads are the perfect way to celebrate delicious seasonal produce and you've got to love how easy they make throwing a meal together, whether it be for side dishes or a main meal.

Here I've rounded up my best vegan salad recipes. All naturally vegan and dairy-free and most are gluten-free too.

Vegan Salad Recipes

And now you've got some great vegan salad recipes up your sleeve, here are some tips for how to make and store your own vegan salad creations.

Salad Making Tips

• Season well - Even greens benefit from some salt and pepper. Every component of your salad should taste good so season everything, including your salad leaves, the dressing, mix-ins like roasted veg or toasted nuts etc. Toss it, taste it, and add more seasoning if it needs it.
• Don't just use lettuce - Shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, endives, chicory, chard, arugula, radicchio, cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, spiralized or shredded kohl rabi, celeriac (celery root), carrots or sweet potato are all great in salads.
• Add roasted vegetables - Sweet, caramelized roasted vegetables like sweet potato, carrots, beetroot, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, rutabaga etc add another dimension to your salads, improving the texture and the flavour.
• Add grilled vegetables - Sweet potato, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant etc all grill really well. Cut them into large slices, brush with a little oil and leave them on the grill until you get the fancy black lines!
• Add pickled vegetables - Any you like. They are crunchy and tangy and add so much interest.
• Use fresh herbs - Just a handful mixed with your other greens adds bursts of flavour throughout. Parsley, cilantro, dill, chives, mint, tarragon and basil are great to use. My herby green sauce is also greta on salads.
• Add healthy fats and protein - They add flavour and interest and make salads more satisfying. Tofu (like my baked tofu or crispy tofu), crumbled vegan feta cheese, toasted nuts or seeds, thinly sliced vegan beef or vegan turkey roast, avocado, chickpeas, beans, pan seared tempeh bacon and hummus are all great additions.
• Add cooked grains - Great for making salads more filling and they add interest too.
• Dried fruit - Raisins, sultanas, cranberries, apricots and dates are all great in salads and add a lovely chewy texture as well as bursts of sweetness.
• Fresh fruit - Sound weird but works so well! Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, pomegranate seeds, chopped apple, pear, citrus, all work really well in salads.
• Add texture - A good blend of soft (like avocado, cooked potatoes, strawberries, or soft vegan cream cheese), chewy (like dried fruit or roasted tofu), crunchy (like raw red onion, nuts & seeds or vegan croutons) makes a salad a lot more interesting.
• Balance - Make sure the flavours balance well. There should be a mixture of sweet, salty, acidic and also maybe bitter and spicy ingredients. Maple syrup and different vinegars like balsamic vinegar, raspberry vinegar, sherry vinegar, and white wine vinegar are all great for experimenting with.
• Use a great dressing - Most store bought one's aren't the best and the dressing is key to bringing everything together and great flavour. My Oil-Free Strawberry Vinaigrette and Avocado Dressing are both really tasty.

Vegan Salad FAQs

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