Hearty Vegan Salad Recipes For Dinner That Keep You Full
This post is all about delicious vegan salad recipes to make for dinner this week.
Salads are so easy to make after a long day because they’re basically just chopping veggies, but the only downside is that they normally aren’t super filling.
I wanted to find salads that don’t feel like a side dish and more like a real dinner that is hearty and protein-packed!
All of the salads on this list are plant-based, but you definitely don’t have to be vegan to love them.
They’re great for meal prep, and there’s enough variety that you won’t get bored or feel like you’re eating the same thing on repeat!
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Best Vegan Salad Recipes
Tofu banh mi salad
This tofu banh mi salad is a simple deconstructed twist on a classic Vietnamese sandwich.
It has all of the bold and refreshing flavors of the traditional sandwich, but is a touch lighter, which makes it perfect to separate in the fridge for a few weeknight dinners.
The marinated tofu offers a bit of protein, and the rest of the salad is layered with crunchy carrots, fresh herbs, and a spicy jalapeño lime aioli dressing! This salad is the perfect blend of spice, tang, and freshness, and is completely different from your typical dinner salad.
Get this vegan tofu banh mi salad recipe here.
I was surprised that there was BBQ sauce in the salad dressing recipe! But it adds a nice smoky flavor to the salad, which counterbalances the fresh veggies in this dish! Get the secret sauce here.
Vegan cobb salad
You can never go wrong with a classic Cobb salad! Rather than just eating a pile of greens, enjoy a rainbow of colors, including corn, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and more!
I also love that this recipe has two protein sources, beans and seiten “chicken”, which makes it even more filling. If you don’t have or don’t like seiten, you can easily use slices of tofu to make the “chicken” cutlets!
Get this vegan cobb salad recipe here.
Depending on where you live, vegan mayo can be a little tricky to find, so if you don’t have it at your local grocery store, you can find it here.
Southwest quinoa salad
I make this southwest quinoa salad all the time because it is super quick to cook and easy to customize depending on the veggies you have on hand!
Simply whip up some quinoa in a rice cooker, then open up a can of beans and corn. Chop up some onion, avocado, and cilantro, mix it all together with some spices, and you’re done!
This salad can be enjoyed as is, or sometimes I like to throw it in a tortilla for an extra filling meal!
Get this southwest quinoa salad recipe here.
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Vegan pasta salad
I’m always trying to brainstorm ways to make healthy eating a little more budget-friendly, and I came up with this vegan pasta salad recipe!
I didn’t really “come up with it” more so I kept the most important parts of a pasta salad to ensure there was some variety, it had protein and it actually tasted good.
The result was this salad that costs around $3 per serving, and a big batch can last a few dinners for the week!
Get this vegan pasta salad recipe here.
Mango cucumber salad
At first glance, you may think this salad is a fruit salad!
It sort of is, as it has juicy mangoes, but it stays hearty by including lentils, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes too!
This salad is juicy, sweet, and light yet filling, making it a refreshing dinner option as the weather starts to heat up!
Get this mango cucumber salad recipe here.
Vegan pizza salad
If you’re a pizza lover, you love that this salad includes all the best parts of a pizza but in a fresh, satisfying bowl.
Vegan sausage, dairy-free cheese, olives, and crunchy veggies come together with an herby dressing for a fun, non-traditional dinner salad that ensures you’re left feeling full, but it isn’t super heavy.
I have tried a few different brands of vegan sausage that are, honestly, a hit or miss, but the Beyond sausages below are truly the best!
Get this vegan pizza salad recipe here.
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Chickpea quinoa pumpkin salad
A lot of the salads on this list have quinoa, but for good reason! It’s a fluffy base that truly packs the protein and ensures that your salad feels like a hearty dinner rather than a pile of leaves.
The chickpeas and pumpkin also add some weight to this salad, ensuring it’s satisfying but doesn’t leave you feeling tired. Best of all, this salad can be served both warm or cold, depending on how you’re feeling!
Get this chickpea quinoa pumpkin salad recipe here.
Kale and white bean salad
This kale and white bean salad is pretty simple, but doesn’t lack flavor or texture variety at all!
Massaged kale, creamy white beans, and a yummy lemon tahini dressing create a nutrient-packed dinner that holds up perfectly for meal prep.
Don’t forget to finish it off with crunchy hemp hearts and pepitas! Just make sure to store them separately from your salad so they don’t get soggy.
Get this kale and white bean salad recipe here.
Have any other yummy vegan salad recipes?
Let us know in the comments below! It’s always nice to learn about new vegan salad recipes to add to my dinner rotation!
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best vegan salad recipes for dinner.
Other plant-based posts you may like:
The Best Vegan Pasta Recipes for Dinner Tonight
Budget Friendly Vegan Pasta Salad Recipe
Make Ahead Fruit Salad Recipes For a Crowd Everyone Will Love
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