3 Delicious Vegan Salads for Summer

These salad recipes are perfect for warm weather or any time you want a light yet flavorful meal or side dish!

They’re refreshing yet satiating and feature a little pizzaz and lots of flavor and texture.

Delicious vegan salads that are perfect for summer! Salads can be sad and boring, but not these ones. They’re packed with lots of flavor, interesting textures, and are refreshing for warm weather.

Choose from a hearty grain salad featuring roasted beets and a creamy citrus dressing, an asparagus and green bean salad with a tangy tahini dressing, or a two greens salad with an easy lemon vinaigrette.

If you try out one of these recipes, be sure to let me know down below in the comments :) And to see all the recipes in action, check out the Youtube video!

My Formula for Fantastic Salads | healthy + vegan
My Formula for Fantastic Salads | healthy + vegan

Roasted Beet Salad with Fennel and Farro

This is one of my absolute favorite salads. It has such a wide variety of textures, which makes it an interesting salad to eat: crisp raw fennel, chewy farro, crunchy walnuts, creamy avocado.

And the ingredients pair so harmoniously together: beets and fennel are a match made in heaven, and get even better when paired with earthy walnuts and fresh dill.

Plus, the slightly sweet citrus dressing is the perfect pairing for peppery, bitter arugula and the earthy flavors from the beets and walnuts.

You’ll notice there are several prep steps to this salad, but many of them can be done ahead of time. You can cook the farro and roast the beets several days in advance, or use store-bought cooked beets.

beet and fennel salad

Two Greens Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

I call this salad a “two greens salad” because one of my favorite ways to add more interest to salads is simply by using two different types of greens. In this salad, I use lacinato kale and romaine, but you can get creative and experiment. I especially love pairing two salad greens that have differing textures (think soft arugula with frisée, or tender baby spinach with crunchy romaine), or different flavors (think mild bibb lettuce with bold radicchio).

For more variety in texture, I add crunchy pepitas (toast them to bring out their full nutty flavor), crisp cucumbers, and sweet chewy dried cranberries.

When it comes to salad dressing, this recipe uses my favorite lemon vinaigrette, which is always a wonderful pairing with kale. When it comes to dressing greens, I learned from Bobby Flay that to add the most flavor, you should (1) lightly salt and pepper the greens directly, and (2) pour the vinaigrette around the salad greens in the bowl, not directly on top of them.

kale and romaine salad

Asparagus and Green Bean Salad

This final salad is playing it a little fast and loose because it doesn’t even have any salad greens! Yes, you can make a salad without lettuce, and this is a perfect leafless salad to start with.

Instead of salad greens, the base of this salad is blanched asparagus and green beans. It takes just a few minutes to blanch them (blanching, instead of boiling, helps preserve their bright green color and prevents them from getting soggy).

Since the base of this salad is quite mild, I throw in some thinly sliced raw shallots to add a sharp punch (you could also use thinly sliced red onions). For texture, we’ve got crunchy toasted almonds, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy oil-free tahini dressing. It’s the perfect summer picnic salad!

green bean asparagus salad

Roasted Beet Salad with Fennel and Farro

5 from 28 votes
Beets and fennel are a match made in heaven, and get even better when paired with earthy walnuts and fresh dill. Plus, the slightly sweet citrus dressing is the perfect pairing for peppery, bitter arugula and the earthy flavors from the beets and walnuts.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 4

Ingredients

Salad Base

  • 3 to 5 cups arugula chopped if pieces are quite large
  • 1 cup pearled or semi-pearled farro

Vegetables

  • 1 medium or large fennel bulb (reserve the fronds)
  • 3 medium beets

Add-ons

  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 large avocado, sliced thinly or diced
  • 1 handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 small handful of fresh dill, finely chopped

Creamy and Sweet Citrus Dressing (makes about ½ cup dressing)

  • 2 Medjool dates, pitted (if they're not soft; soak in warm water for 5-10 minutes)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon sweet or hot paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander
  • ¼ tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Water, as needed

Instructions

  • Roast the Beets. Skip this step if using pre-cooked beets.
    1. Preheat the oven to 425°F/218°C.
    2. Prep the beets. Trim off the greens and most of the stalks. Do not trim the beet tails (it results in less juicy beets). Wash and scrub the beets clean.
    3. Lightly rub the beets in olive oil. Place the beets in an ovenproof casserole-style or baking dish and cover. Roast for 45-90 minutes, depending on the size of your beets, or until fork-tender. Medium-sized beets usually take 1 hour.
    4. When beets are cool enough to touch, run them under cool water and peel off the skins. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Cook the Farro. Bring 2 ½ cups (600 mL) of water to a boil and season well with salt. Once boiling, add the farro and any seasonings of choice (black pepper, garlic cloves, bay leaf). Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until al dente – tender yet chewy (15-20 minutes for pearled farro; 20-30 minutes for semi-pearled farro). Drain in a sieve. If you have the time, spread the farro out on a pan to dry.
  • Slice the Fennel: Chop off the fennel stalks off and reserve the fennel fronds. Slice the fennel bulbs in half, lengthwise, through the core. Then slice each half lengthwise again. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, very thinly slice the fennel crosswise.
  • Toast the Walnuts: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts in a single layer, stir frequently, until browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  • Make the Dressing: Add all ingredients except for water to a food processor and blend until smooth. With motor running, drizzle in a few spoons of water until desired consistency; season to taste. Store leftovers in the fridge in a glass jar for a week.
  • Assemble the Salad: Layer arugula and cooked farro into a salad bowl or serving bowl. Top with sliced fennel, roasted beets, toasted walnuts, sliced avocado, chopped parsley and dill, and fennel fronds. Drizzle on some dressing and toss to combine.

Notes

Note: The measurements for the salad ingredients are just rough guides. I rarely follow a specific recipe for salads and just eyeball the amounts.

Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Sodium: 282mg | Potassium: 1284mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 822IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 4mg

Two Greens Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

5 from 23 votes
Hearty kale and crisp romaine form the base of this salad and get lots of fun textures from nutty and crunchy pepitas, crisp cucumbers, and sweet chewy dried cranberries.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 4

Ingredients

Salad Base

  • 1/2 head romaine
  • 1/2 head lacinato/dino kale

Vegetables

  • 1 small or 1/2 large English cucumber
  • A few spoons of sauerkraut

Protein

  • Cooked French green lentils or black beluga lentils (as much as you want)

Add-ons

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup pepitas
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette (makes about ⅓ cup dressing)

  • 1 small lemon, zested
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard)
  • 1 garlic clove, (crushed or finely minced)
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Toast the pepitas. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add pepitas in a single layer, stir frequently, until mostly golden browned and fragrant, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Chop the vegetables. Wash and clean the the romaine and kale. Cut each into thin strips. Slice the cucumber into half moons.
  • Assemble the salad. Place the sliced romaine and kale in a large bowl. Lightly season the greens directly with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Pour the Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette around the bowl (not directly on the greens) and then toss to coat, ensuring all the greens are coated in the dressing.
  • Transfer the dressed greens to your serving bowl. Add the cucumbers, dried cranberries, toasted pepitas, sauerkraut, and lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.

Notes

Note: The measurements for the salad ingredients are just rough guides. I rarely follow a specific recipe for salads and just eyeball the amounts.

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 684mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 10275IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 4mg

Asparagus and Green Bean Salad

5 from 23 votes
Instead of salad greens, the base of this salad is blanched asparagus and green beans. For texture, we’ve got crunchy toasted almonds, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy oil-free tahini dressing. It’s the perfect summer picnic salad!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 4

Ingredients

Salad Base

  • 8 ounces (227g) asparagus woody stems trimmed
  • 8 ounces (227g) green beans, trimmed

Vegetables

  • 1/2 pint (150g) cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 small shallot

Protein

  • 1 to 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or one 15-ounce can)

Add-ons

  • 1/4 cup roasted almonds
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons hemp seeds
  • 1 handful of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 handful of fresh basil, slivered

Easy Tahini Dressing

  • 1/4 cup (56g) tahini
  • A few sprinkles of lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1/4 1to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons ice water

Instructions

  • Blanch the green beans and asparagus. Bring an inch or two of water to boil in a large saucepan. Once boiling, add the green beans; cover the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook for 1-3 more minutes (1-2 minutes if asparagus are skinny). Immediately drain the vegetables into an ice bath (large bowl of ice water). Once the vegetables are cool, drain on clean towels to dry completely.
  • Slice the vegetables. Once the green beans and asparagus are dried, slice them into 2-inch pieces at an angle. Peel the shallot and slice it crosswise, as thinly as possible. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
  • Toast the almonds. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add almonds in a single layer, stir frequently, until browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Once cool, chop the almonds.
  • Make the dressing. In a bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt. Stream in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and whisk until creamy, fluffy, and desired consistency.
  • Assemble the Salad: Layer sliced green beans and asparagus into a salad bowl or serving bowl. Top with sliced cherry tomatoes, shallots, chickpeas, chopped almonds, hemp seeds, and chopped herbs. Add the Tahini Dressing and toss well to coat.

Notes

Note: The measurements for the salad ingredients are just rough guides. I rarely follow a specific recipe for salads and just eyeball the amounts.

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 668mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1503IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 5mg

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25 comments on 3 Delicious Vegan Salads for Summer

  1. Jacqueline Darwich

    Thank you for sharing your delicious salads. I love everything you cook, but I am most interested in the dressings and sauces you use to spark up the dishes.

    Thanks again Nisha!

    With love from Spain,

    Jacqui

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the feedback, Jacqueline! You’re very welcome!

  2. Wendy

    5 stars
    I do enjoy watching you cook. I learn a lot from watching. Suggestion when I go to print the check box and the numbers overlap. Please add one or 2 more spaces in your format. It didn’t use to over lap.

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Glad you enjoy the videos, Wendy! I don’t see any issues with the print function on my end at the moment but I’ll pass the suggestion along to Nisha!

  3. Jay

    Hi ,

    What’s your thought about mixing cooked food into a raw uncooked salad ?

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Jay, we think it’s a wonderful idea! It’s a technique we use over here at Rainbow Plant life to make salads more filling. Cheers!

  4. Lydia

    5 stars
    Love the tahini dressing with this asparagus and green bean salad. I haven’t had much luck with variety since switching to vegan diet. So happy I found your channel on YouTube! Can’t wait to try more recipes

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Lydia. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  5. Adele

    5 stars
    Just tried the lemon-garlic vinaigrette on a salad I was putting together and it was delicious! I definitely overdressed my salad (I’m so bad about that haha), but the dressing was delicious and elevated my meal so much! There’s a 99% chance I’ll be making it again tomorrow for lunch!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Adele. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  6. Bob Carter

    5 stars
    I made this last week when we had friends over and it was fabulous!!! Everyone raved. A definite keeper.

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Bob. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  7. Dolores Meaney

    Thank you so much for giving us these recipes! They are changing my life. Where can o find your vegan ceviche recipe? I saw it on YouTube but can’t find it now. With hearts of palm, guacamole, citrus. Looked so delicious!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Dolores! The ceviche taco is part of this blog post: https://rainbowplantlife.com/3-incredible-vegan-taco-recipes/. I hope you get to make it!

      1. Dolores

        I’m going to! Thanks again

  8. Nathalie Jean-Philippe

    5 stars
    Such amazing, delicious and nutritionally thoughtful recipes ❤. Thank you for sharing always.

    Nathalie

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Nathalie!

  9. Randye Brittain

    5 stars
    Nisha, the two greens salad with lemon vinaigrette was quite tasty. the layers of textures and flavors made the process of eating this salad a treat. I’m not an experienced cook and wondered if there are any time savers you might recommend. (I cooked the lentils in the instant pot the day before.)
    thank you!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hey Randye, we are thrilled you loved the recipe! The biggest time saver would definitely be to prep any grains, beans or legumes for your meals ahead of time. You could also double the batch to make prepping the salad later in the week a more expedient process. Another time saver for cooking is to abide by “mise en place,” where you prep all of your ingredients and set them out in said quantities ahead of cooking the dish. Hope that helped!

      1. Randye Brittain

        5 stars
        thanks for the tips!

  10. Kathi

    hi,
    I love the video and I’m looking forward to trying the different salads and dressings, but since I try too cook things at the weekend to eat during the week, I’d like to know how long I could keep the dressings in the fridge if I want to prepare them beforehand?

  11. Carmen

    5 stars
    I made a variation of the citrus-date dressing for a salad with roasted beets, arugula & white beans, herbs & other salad stuff. Wonderful flavor. I only had meyer lemons & no orange; the sweetness of the meyer lemons was just right. Next time I’ll try the full recipe. Awesome, thanks Nisha!

  12. Nandini

    Your instructions are so clear and to the point. Your passion for vegan food comes through. Very enjoyable and informative

  13. Lucia

    Love the lentil salad!! It’s so refreshing and bright! Perfect for a sunny day!

  14. Ginger

    I love the asparagus and Green bean salad. I substituted white beans as I forgot I needed to cook chickpeas. Will definitely try again with chickpeas. I was wondering could you blanch and chop the asparagus and Green beans the night before? Or would they get to soggy? Thank you

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