Since becoming plant-based, I learned to love cauliflower! In fact, cauliflower makes the perfect meat substitute for almost any dish. Lately, though, cauliflower’s popularity has spiked as more people attempt to add it to their diets as a carbohydrate reducer. Instead of eating mashed potatoes or rice, cauliflower is a great carbohydrate replacement for weight loss. So, instead of making cauliflower wings, I decided to make a buffalo cauliflower salad recipe.
WHAT ARE THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF CAULIFLOWER?
Although cauliflower may double as mashed potatoes or transform into rice, cauliflower possesses its own nutritional benefits. In fact, the nutrients in cauliflower actually decrease instances of several types of cancer. It also aids in digestion, improves memory, and strengthens bones. Furthermore, cauliflower is also known to reduce inflammation.
For instance, my family loves cauliflower steaks, Tahini Roasted Cauliflower, and buffalo cauliflower bites. Because I already make buffalo cauliflower bites, I decided to use that recipe to make a buffalo cauliflower salad recipe with vegan ranch dressing. The beauty of this buffalo cauliflower recipe, however, is you can easily turn it into buffalo cauliflower salad into a sandwich, wrap, or an appetizer as well.
Best vegan buffalo cauliflower
Even though vegan buffalo cauliflower is usually served with bleu cheese, I chose vegan ranch for the buffalo cauliflower salad recipe.
Since buffalo cauliflower bites are served with celery and carrots for dipping, I also included both in the buffalo cauliflower salad. Additionally, I used my Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions, but feel free to use white or red onions instead.
CAULIFLOWER BITES
- Cauliflower
BREADING MIXTURE
- Flour (Gluten-free or regular; I used chickpea flour)
- Paprika
- Nutritional Yeast
- Salt
- Pepper
- Bread Crumbs of choice
WET MIXTURE
- Oat Mik or plant-milk of choice (unsweetened and unflavored)
- Lime juice and zest
Additional Ingredients
FAQ
Is all buffalo sauce vegan?
- Many buffalo sauces contain butter, so you can use a vegan sauce like the one above or make homemade healthy vegan buffalo sauce using the recipe on my Buffalo Cauliflower recipe.
What is the difference between buffalo sauce and hot sauce?
- The difference between buffalo sauce and hot sauce is made with hot peppers, salt, and vinegar. Buffalo sauce is smoother than hot sauce and richer in flavor.
Is Frank's Buffalo Sauce vegan?
- Yes, don't let the "natural butter type flavoring" fool you. It is indeed vegan, but it isn't oil-free. So, if you don't eat oil, I recommend you make your own sauce or buy an oil-free brand.
Is buffalo sauce spicy?
- There are different varieties of buffalo sauce; mild, medium, and hot. If you make your own sauce, add the spice slowly until you get the heat and flavor you prefer.
SALAD INGREDIENTS FOR BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER SALAD
- Romaine lettuce, shredded
- Red onion or my Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions,
- Celery
- Tri-colored tomatoes
- Carrots
- English Cucumber
Vegan ranch dressing is perfect for buffalo cauliflower salad
Of course, the perfect marriage occurs between Vegan Ranch Dressing and buffalo cauliflower. When I was a kid, I dipped everything in ranch dressing.
Once I transitioned to a plant-based diet, though, I thought ranch was gone forever. So, despite trying many vegan store-bought dressings, I decided to make my own vegan version. And, you won't be disappointed.
In fact, Vegan Ranch Dressing cools the spice of the buffalo cauliflower salad. As a result, buffalo cauliflower salad truly tastes too good to be healthy!
If you love buffalo cauliflower salad, give these healthy vegan salads a try!
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Vegan Broccoli Salad with Coconut Bacon
- Grilled Caesar Salad
- Lentil Salad
- Vegan Taco Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad
- Vegan Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Salad
Buffalo Cauliflower Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower
- 1 recipe Vegan Cauliflower Bites
Vegan Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup Vegan Ranch dressing
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS
- 1 bottle Vegan Buffalo Sauce I used New Primal Vegan Buffalo Sauce (medium)
SALAD INGREDIENTS
- 1 red onion cut into slivers; I used my [Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions], but regular red onions are fine
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- 1 cup tri-colored tomatoes cut in half (grape tomatoes work as well, or any kind of tomato you prefer)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 English cucumber chopped
- 1 cup chopped purple cabbage
Instructions
Buffalo Cauliflower
- Place all ingredients except dill and parsley in a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add chopped dill and parsley.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- It lasts one week in the refrigerator......if it lasts that long.
- Assembling the salad
- Place lettuce and other salad ingredients in a large bowl or plate.
- Add pieces of buffalo cauliflower on top
- Dress with ranch dressing
Notes
- Many buffalo sauces contain butter, so you can use a vegan sauce like the one above or make homemade healthy vegan buffalo sauce using the recipe on my Buffalo Cauliflower recipe.
- The difference between buffalo sauce and hot sauce is made with hot peppers, salt, and vinegar. Buffalo sauce is smoother than hot sauce and richer in flavor.
- Yes, don't let the "natural butter type flavoring" fool you. It is indeed vegan, but it isn't oil-free. So, if you don't eat oil, I recommend you make your own sauce or buy an oil-free brand.
- There are different varieties of buffalo sauce; mild, medium, and hot. If you make your own sauce, add the spice slowly until you get the heat and flavor you prefer.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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