I usually whip up a new taco recipe when Tuesday rolls around to stay on Taco Tuesday theme. However, I opted for a vegan taco salad instead because I tried to eat more salads.
And, as usual, I was pleasantly surprised by how good a vegan taco salad can be with the right ingredients. I also decided to make two different dressings; a spicy, creamy southwestern dressing and an avocado cilantro lime dressing.
So, you have two choices, which are always better than one.
WHAT INGREDIENTS MAKE A GREAT VEGAN TACO SALAD?
- Romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onion
- Red pepper
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno
- Black beans
- Vegan Oil-Free Lentil Taco meat
Although I chose you to include black beans, pinto beans are a great alternative if you don't have black beans in your pantry. Additionally, I sometimes add:
- Brown rice or quinoa
- Pico de Gallo
- Avocado
- Green peppers
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
And if you like to add a little crunch to your salad, add your favorite tortilla chips or my oil-free tortilla strips.
HOW TO MAKE LENTIL TACO MEAT, THE PERFECT 'MEAT' FOR VEGAN TACO SALAD
Lentil Taco 'Meat' is easy to prepare and heats up nicely. It can also be frozen if you choose to make a bunch in advance. For instance, I doubled the recipe for this vegan taco salad and froze half to use later for tacos. All you need, for example, is a few ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups Brown, Red, or Green Lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 1 large, diced White Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 Jalapeño de-seeded
- 2 cans Rotel Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- 4 cups Organic Vegetable Broth
- 2 packages Vegan Taco Seasoning or use your taco seasoning brew
ALTERNATIVE LENTIL OR WALNUT MEAT OPTION FOR VEGAN TACO SALAD
Often, to save time, I use Trader Joe's steamed, vacuumed packed lentils. If you plan to use pre-cooked lentils, you need to reduce the vegetable broth to 1 cup instead of 4 cups.
Also, if you use canned lentils, drain them first; again, use only 1 cup of vegetable broth instead of 4 cups.
Another option is mushroom "chorizo" meat from my Mushroom Chorizo Tacos recipe. For this type of vegan taco meat, you will need:
"CHORIZO" MUSHROOM TACO MEAT
- 2 cups sliced baby portobello mushrooms, or mushrooms of choice
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 10 sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 taco seasoning packet
- 3 Tablespoons adobo sauce (not the peppers; just the sauce from the can)
- ¼ cup water ( for cooking)
HOW TO BUILD A PERFECT VEGAN TACO SALAD...
Once the lentil meat is cooked and cooled ( I put mine in the refrigerator, I fill the bowl with torn Romaine lettuce, leaving a hole in the middle, then, I place ½ a cup to 1 cup of lentil meat in the center, next, I add black beans and assorted chopped vegetables. Even though the picture shows a divided salad, feel free to toss the salad.
I use my favorite vegetable chopper to get my vegetables chopped the same size for vegan taco salad and other recipes.
TWO DRESSING OPTIONS FOR ONE DELICIOUS VEGAN TACO SALAD RECIPE
Because not everyone eats raw cashews, I made two dressings that go perfectly with vegan taco salad.
First, my vegan southwest dressing is a perfect option and easy to make. All you need to make one recipe of southwest dressing is:
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup fresh salsa (your favorite salsa)
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ cup water
Or, I love my nut-free avocado cilantro dressing from my Vegan Coleslaw with Avocado-Cilantro Dressing.
- 1 large or 2 small ripe avocados, pit and fresh removed
- ½ cup cilantro (packed)
- 1 lime, juiced and zested
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
However, both dressing options are simple to make and only require a high-speed blender. Then, it would be best if you decided what flavor you are feeling. My husband, who likes both, used a combination of both dressings on his salad. On the other hand, I chose the southwest dressing because it was new, and I have to make sure it's good before suggesting you try it.
So, if you want to add more greens to your life but still eat a satisfying meal, give vegan taco salad a try. It is easy to make, but it also can be meal prepped for a week of lunches. Print Vegan Taco Salad Recipe now and share it with your friends and family.
FAQs
Should I serve my vegan taco salad warm or cold?
- Hot or cold. It depends on your taste.
- 5 days. As long as it's stacked and kept correctly, a vegan taco salad may last 5 days in the refrigerator.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO ADD MORE GREENS AND VEGGIES TO YOUR DIET? HERE ARE SOME GREAT SALADS TO FILL YOUR BOWLS AND TUMMIES...
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Vegan Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad
- Vegan Rainbow Salad
- Fattoush Salad
- Quinoa Greek Salad with OMG Oil-Free Dressing
- Kale Harvest Salad with Skinny Roasted Pumpkin Vinaigrette
- The Skinny Good Earth Kale Salad
- Vegan Caesar Salad
- Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cashew Ranch Dressing
- Southwest Chickpea Quinoa Salad
📖 Recipe
Vegan Taco Salad
Ingredients
Vegan Taco Salad
- 1 large head of Romaine lettuce
- 1- pint grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 large red onion diced
- 1 large bunch cilantro chopped
- 2 15 ounce cans of black beans rinsed and drained
- 4 jalapeños de-seeded and diced or sliced
Lentil Taco Meat
- 1 recipe Lentil Taco Meat
Chorizo Walnut Taco Meat
- 1 recipe Chorizo Walnut Meat
Vegan Southwest Dressing
- ¼ cup raw cashews soaked overnight
- ½ cup fresh salsa of choice
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon lime
Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 1 large or 2 small ripe avocados pit, and flesh removed
- ½ cup cilantro
- 1 lime juiced and zested
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
LENTIL TACO MEAT
- Follow the directions for making lentil taco meat on the attached link lentil taco meat.
CHORIZO WALNUT MEAT
- Follow the direction for making chorizo walnut taco meat on the attached link chorizo walnut meat.
TACO SALAD
- Chop or tear lettuce and fill bowls, leaving a hole in the center for the taco meat you select
- Divide black beans and other vegetables in the salad bowls
VEGAN SOUTHWEST DRESSING
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high until smooth
- Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve
AVOCADO CILANTRO LIME DRESSING
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender
- Blend on high until smooth
- Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve
Notes
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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