I have a confession to make: I absolutely love a good vegan salad.
Right now it’s summertime, and my salads are full of seasonal produce—sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, crisp peppers, cucumbers, summer squash, and more. When produce is this fresh, it needs very little: raw, briefly sautéed, or grilled brings out incredible flavor.
But salads aren’t just for warm months. In fall and winter I lean on roasted root vegetables, beans, whole grains, and hearty greens to make filling, nutritious salads that feel like a meal.
There’s no wrong time for a vegan salad. Make a light green salad as a side, or create a substantial, lettuce-free bowl as the main course. Salads can be simple or complex, raw or roasted, chilled or warm—always healthy and often impressive.
To spark some ideas, here are over 30 of the best vegan salad recipes. Some are my own favorites and creations; others are standout recipes from talented plant-based creators across the web.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
4.90 from 69 votes
Smashed cucumbers are tossed in a sweet-salty-spicy-tangy sauce in this Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Bright, refreshing, and full of flavor—an easy and impressive side or appetizer for summer.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad
4.99 from 66 votes
Crispy roasted butternut and cabbage with kale and carrot ribbons, chickpeas, a bright vinaigrette, and a sweet-spicy almond crunch—this is a fall salad that’s hearty, refreshing, and perfect for entertaining.
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Vegan Chickpea Quinoa Arugula Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing
A vegan, gluten-free Chickpea Quinoa Arugula Salad filled with avocado, fresh vegetables, crispy chickpeas, and finished with a bright lemon-garlic dressing. Prep time is quick and the flavors hold up well for lunches and meal prep. Prep Time: 15 Minutes — Cook Time: 25 Minutes
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Best Broccoli Salad
A fresh take on classic broccoli salad with a light creamy dressing, dried cranberries, and roasted almonds—perfect for picnics and potlucks. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 15 Minutes
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Herbed Vegan Potato Salad
Creamy, mayo-free potato salad with tender potatoes in a tangy, flavor-packed dressing. Ready in about 30 minutes—ideal for BBQs, potlucks, and picnics. Prep Time: 5 Minutes — Cook Time: 25 Minutes
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Chopped Creamy Dill Pickle Salad
Crisp vegetables tossed with a tangy dairy-free dill-pickle dressing and topped with toasted seasoned breadcrumbs for crunch. A satisfying, unique salad that’s bright and flavorful. Prep Time: 30 Minutes — Cook Time: 5 Minutes
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Japanese Sesame Spinach Salad
A nutty, savory spinach side with sesame flavors—ready in about five minutes and perfect for meal prep or a quick, healthy accompaniment.
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Vegan Cobb Salad
A hearty, meal-sized vegan Cobb packed with plant-based protein and classic Cobb flavors—great for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Total Time: 20 Minutes
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Roasted Beet and Fennel Salad with Walnut Bread Crumbs
Roasted beets and fennel with crispy walnut breadcrumbs, bright herbs, and a citrus vinaigrette—this salad is a vibrant, flavor-forward dish that might make you fall in love with salads all over again. Prep Time: 20 Minutes — Cook Time: 10 Minutes — Roasting Time: 1 Hour
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The Ultimate Fall Salad
A composed fall salad that celebrates the season’s best produce with layered textures and bold flavors—ideal for holiday tables or make-ahead lunches. Prep Time: 35 Minutes — Cook Time: 10 Minutes
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Vegan Classic Deli-Style Macaroni Salad
A faithful vegan version of deli-style macaroni salad—creamy, crunchy, and nostalgic. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 10 Minutes
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Marinated White Bean Salad
A versatile marinated white bean salad that’s ideal for spring meal prep, clean lunches, or an elegant vegan dinner side. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 30 Minutes
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Kale Citrus Salad
A 30-minute kale salad with sweet and tart fruits, pickled red onions, and a simple red wine vinaigrette—crunchy, filling, and perfect as a light lunch or side. Total Time: 30 Minutes
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Grilled Corn Salad
With just ten ingredients and under thirty minutes, this grilled corn salad is an easy, flavor-packed side or light lunch. It’s a crowd-pleaser at barbecues and picnics. Prep Time: 5 Minutes — Cook Time: 20 Minutes
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Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad with Peanut Ginger Sauce
A Thai-inspired quinoa salad with cashews and a luscious peanut-ginger sauce—quick to make and packed with crunch and protein. Total Time: 15 Minutes
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Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad
A bold riff on Caesar using shaved Brussels sprouts—crisp, savory, and truly transformative. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 30 Minutes
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Black Bean and Corn Salad
A light, refreshing, naturally vegan and gluten-free salad with black beans, sweet corn, and bright herbs—easy to make and perfect for warm days. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 10 Minutes
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Thanksgiving Kale Salad with Maple-Tahini Dressing
A festive, textural kale salad with seasonal ingredients and a creamy maple-tahini dressing—beautiful for holiday tables and satisfying to eat. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 25 Minutes
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Super Easy Spring Green Salad
A bright spring green and quinoa salad that’s crisp, crunchy, and full of vibrant flavors—quick to assemble and great for lunches. Prep Time: 5 Minutes — Cook Time: 20 Minutes
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Asparagus and Green Bean Salad
Blanched asparagus and green beans form the base, topped with toasted almonds, juicy tomatoes, and an oil-free tahini dressing—an ideal picnic salad for summer. Prep Time: 20 Minutes — Cook Time: 5 Minutes
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Summer Orzo Salad with Grilled Vegetables
A refreshing orzo salad loaded with grilled summer vegetables and marinated tofu—easy, vegan, and ideal for warm-weather meals. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 20 Minutes
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Kale Avocado Salad
A protein-rich kale salad with white beans and an oil-free almond butter dressing—simple, nutritious, and utterly delicious. Total Time: 15 Minutes
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Sweet and Spicy Smashed Cucumber Salad
An addictive smashed cucumber salad that’s slightly sweet, garlicky, and a little spicy—light, refreshing, and perfect for hot days. Prep Time: 25 Minutes — Cook Time: 5 Minutes
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Vegan Caprese Salad with Peaches & Arugula
A savory-sweet caprese-inspired salad with heirloom tomatoes, juicy peaches, peppery arugula, and vegan mozzarella—effortless and elegant. Total Time: 10 Minutes
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Kale and Zucchini Salad with Roasted Parsnip Chips
Zucchini and roasted parsnip chips pair with kale for a delightful, repeat-worthy salad that’s easy to enjoy any time. Prep Time: 20 Minutes — Cook Time: 7 Minutes
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Instant Pot Pearl Couscous and Lentil Salad
A dump-and-go Instant Pot salad with French green lentils, pearl couscous, fresh herbs, and a zingy vinaigrette—light, healthy, and great for summer. Total Time: 1 hr, 15 Minutes
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Spicy BBQ Cauliflower Salad Bowl
A bold, textural bowl with spicy BBQ cauliflower and vegan ranch—full of flavor and fun to eat. Prep Time: 10 Minutes — Cook Time: 38 Minutes
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Lemon-Garlic Quinoa Salad
A pantry-friendly Greek/Mediterranean quinoa salad with white beans and olives—delicious served warm or chilled and packed with protein and vegetables.
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Healthy Arugula Summer Salad with Peaches
A refreshing arugula salad featuring juicy peaches, cucumber, blueberries, and a lemon-tahini dressing—simple, vibrant, and perfect for summer. Total Time: 20 Minutes
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Peach Panzanella Salad
A summer spin on Tuscan panzanella with juicy peaches, heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and rustic bread—just seven ingredients create a foolproof, gourmet-tasting side for picnics and potlucks. Prep Time: 15 Minutes — Cook Time: 15 Minutes
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