15 High Protein Salads (Easy, Vegan)

Written byLisa

If you’ve been trying to eat healthier, boost your protein, or just get excited about lunch again, these high-protein vegan salads are about to become your new go-to meals.

They’re simple, filling, totally meal-prep friendly, and—trust me—they actually taste amazing.

📌 Save these recipes for later on Pinterest!

Why High-Protein Vegan Salads Are a Game-Changer

Plant-based protein doesn’t have to be complicated. When you combine foods like tofu, edamame, chickpeas, quinoa, hemp seeds, and lentils… you get salads that actually keep you full for hours.

These recipes are perfect for:

  • Quick lunches
  • Post-workout meals
  • Light but protein-packed dinners
  • Meal prep for the week
  • Anyone wanting easy vegan recipes with lots of protein

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff.

15 Easy Vegan High-Protein Salad

1. Crispy Tofu Power Bowl Salad (30g protein)

This is one of my go-to lunches when I’m short on time!

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~30g

Ingredients

  • 1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu, pressed (28g protein)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped romaine
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (8g protein)
  • 1 cup edamame, shelled (17g protein)
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 2 tbsp hemp seeds (6g protein)
  • Dressing: 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp sesame oil

Total protein: ~60g for the whole salad

Instructions

  1. Cut tofu into cubes and pan-fry in olive oil until crispy.
  2. In two bowls, layer romaine, cabbage, quinoa, edamame, and carrots.
  3. Add crispy tofu on top.
  4. Mix dressing ingredients and drizzle over the bowls.
  5. Sprinkle hemp seeds and serve!

2. Chickpea Caesar Salad (22g protein)

It tastes indulgent but is secretly high-protein and super filling.

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~22g

Ingredients

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained (21g protein total)
  • 4 cups chopped romaine
  • 1/4 cup vegan parmesan (3g protein)
  • 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds (6g protein)
  • Dressing: 3 tbsp vegan Caesar dressing

Total protein: ~44g

Instructions

  1. Roast chickpeas at 425°F for 20 minutes until crispy.
  2. Toss romaine with dressing.
  3. Add chickpeas, parmesan, and sunflower seeds.
  4. Serve immediately.

3. Lentil & Quinoa Rainbow Salad (26g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~26g

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked green lentils (18g protein)
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (8g protein)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup chopped cucumbers
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • Dressing: lemon juice + olive oil + salt

Total protein: ~52g

Instructions

  1. Combine lentils, quinoa, vegetables, and parsley.
  2. Drizzle with dressing and toss.
  3. Chill or serve immediately.

4. High-Protein Edamame Crunch Salad (28g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~28g

Ingredients

  • 2 cups edamame (34g protein)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup purple cabbage
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (7g protein)
  • Dressing: peanut sauce or tahini

Total: ~56g protein

Instructions

Mix everything in a bowl and top with peanuts + dressing. Couldn’t be easier.

5. Tempeh Greek Salad (30g protein)

Tempeh + olives + veggies = perfection.

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~30g

Ingredients

  • 1 block (8 oz) tempeh (40g protein)
  • 2 cups romaine
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1/4 cup olives
  • Dressing: balsamic vinegar + olive oil

Total: ~60g protein

Instructions

  1. Pan-fry tempeh slices until golden.
  2. Combine vegetables.
  3. Add tempeh and dressing.

6. Black Bean Southwest Salad (20g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~20g

Ingredients

  • 1 can black beans (21g protein)
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup cilantro
  • Dressing: lime + cumin + salt

Total: ~40g protein

Instructions

Mix everything and serve with tortilla chips if you want a crunch!

7. Tofu Fajita Salad (27g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~27g

Ingredients

  • 14 oz tofu (28g protein)
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 onion
  • 4 cups mixed greens
  • 2 tbsp salsa
  • 1 tbsp lime juice

Total: ~54g

Instructions

Cook tofu with fajita seasoning. Layer over greens with veggies and salsa.

8. Creamy White Bean Pesto Salad (22g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~22g

Ingredients

  • 1 can white beans (17g protein)
  • 2 tbsp hemp seeds (6g protein)
  • 1/4 cup vegan pesto (3g protein)
  • 2 cups arugula
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Total: ~44g

Instructions

Stir beans with pesto and lemon. Serve over arugula. Ridiculously easy.

9. Thai Peanut Tempeh Salad (31g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~31g

Ingredients

  • 8 oz tempeh (40g protein)
  • 1 cup red cabbage
  • 1 cup carrots
  • 1/4 cup peanuts (7g protein)
  • Dressing: peanut sauce

Total: ~62g

Instructions

Cook tempeh, chop veggies, mix, drizzle. Done!

10. Quinoa Kale Crunch Salad (18g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~18g

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (8g protein)
  • 2 cups kale
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (9g protein)
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (3g protein)

Total: ~36g

Instructions

Massage kale, add quinoa, seeds, and nooch.

11. Vegan Taco Salad With Lentils (22g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~22g

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked lentils (18g)
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup tomatoes
  • 2 cups romaine
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 2 tbsp hemp seeds (6g)

Total: ~44g

Instructions

Mix everything and add salsa as dressing.

12. Chickpea “Tuna” Salad Bowl (20g protein)

This one seriously tastes like tuna salad—minus the tuna.

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~20g

Ingredients

  • 1 can chickpeas (21g)
  • 2 tbsp tahini (5g)
  • 1 stalk celery
  • 1 cup mixed greens
  • 1 tbsp lemon

Total: ~40g

Instructions

Mash chickpeas with tahini + lemon. Serve over greens.

13. Edamame Avocado Salad (25g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~25g

Ingredients

  • 2 cups edamame (34g)
  • 1 avocado
  • Lime juice
  • Salt

Total: ~50g

Instructions

Mix everything. Chill. Eat. Marvel at your creation.

14. High-Protein Pasta Salad (24g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~24g

Ingredients

  • 4 oz chickpea pasta (24g protein)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup cucumbers
  • 1/4 cup olives
  • Italian vinaigrette

Total: 48g

Instructions

Cook pasta, toss with veggies and dressing.

15. Sweet Potato & Black Lentil Salad (23g protein)

Servings: 2

Protein per serving: ~23g

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked black lentils (24g protein)
  • 1 roasted sweet potato
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 2 tbsp tahini (5g protein)

Total: ~46g

Instructions

Layer spinach → lentils → sweet potato → drizzle tahini.

Bonus Tips for High-Protein Vegan Salads

Want to boost your salads even more? Add:

  • Hemp seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Tofu or tempeh
  • Edamame
  • Chickpea or lentil pasta

These are the secret weapons of high-protein vegan eating.

Follow me on Pinterest for more easy protein vegan meals!

FAQs

1. How can I add protein to vegan salads without tofu?

Try adding lentils, chickpeas, black beans, quinoa, edamame, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds. They all pack a surprising protein punch.

2. What is the highest-protein vegan salad ingredient?

Tempeh wins by far—40g of protein per 8 oz block. Edamame is a close second.

3. Are vegan salads filling enough for a full meal?

Absolutely—if they contain protein, healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbs. The recipes above will keep you full for hours.

4. Can I meal prep these salads?

Yes! Most last 3–4 days in the fridge. Avoid adding dressing until serving.

5. What dressing is best for high-protein vegan salads?

Tahini dressing, peanut sauce, and high-protein pesto are great because they add both flavor and extra protein.

You may also like:

Be sure to check out the High-Protein Vegan Recipes (20–40g Plant-Based Protein Meals)