Light, refreshing plant-based salads are the best option for lunch or dinner on hot summer days. Vegan summer salads won’t make you feel stuffed or “heavy” which gives you more energy to go about your day.
When preparing a vegan salad there are different approaches to consider. You can make a side salad which may contain only one vegetable topped with a sauce, or a plant-based salad bowl filled with every category of the vegan food pyramid. This is especially important if you want to make satisfying vegan salads that keep you full for hours and provide sufficient plant based protein.
If you want to make a plant based summer salad for lunch or dinner I suggest adding a healthy grain (quinoa, rice, or even sweet potato), plenty of vegetables, a source of healthy fat (avocado, cashew), and a protein source (roasted chickpeas, tofu, or beans). Additionally, your salad should contain around 500 calories to satisfy and fuel you with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
I like to make my dressing with a healthy fat source like peanut butter or avocado. My absolute favorite is the Thai Peanut Salad from the Health my Lifestyle Meal Planner. This is a great way to make an oil free plant based salad dressing while adding your source of healthy fat.
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The options below can help you with new summer salad ideas. You can adjust salads toppings and dressing to your needs and taste.
Easy Vegan Summer Salads {Oil Free, Whole Food Plant Based}
Greek Potato Salad {vegan, oil free}
Greek potato salad that is whole food plant based without any oil, gluten, or soy.
Vegan Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Healthy and easy vegan caprese pasta salad with only 400 calories. Creamy and delicious salad with cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, herbs and more. This meal can be eaten as a side dish or main meal and is budget friendly and perfect for spring, summer and cookouts.
You might also like:
- 20 Whole Food Plant Based Recipes for Beginners
- 45+ Oil Free Plant Based Dressing Recipes
- Easy Vegan Summer Meal Plan
- 15+ Fruit and Vegetable Smoothie Recipes
- 40+ Whole Food Plant Based Breakfast Recipes
- WFPB Salad Lunch Prep (3 Filling Recipes)
- 40+ Healthy and Delicious Vegan SPINACH Recipes
Plant Based Meal Planner
with hundreds of healthy, easy recipes!
I use the Health My Lifestyle Meal Planner every week and highly recommend checking it out!
It contains hundreds of plant based recipes, centered around whole foods. Each week there are new (seasonal) recipes added so you never get bored. You can also find all my recipes in it!
Plan your meals according to your caloric and dietary needs and enjoy the automatically created shopping list.
Search recipes by ingredients, cooking time, calories, and more. The recipes are very simple and nutritious!
