Crowd-Pleasing Vegan Vegetable Salad Recipes

At first glance, you might think designing a vegan vegetable salad recipe would be a breeze. After all, isn’t salad often considered stereotypical “vegan food?” In truth, there’s more to this art than meets the eye. Because many salads depend on meat as their primary protein, vegan diners are all too familiar with the sad pile of lettuce left behind. 

At Beyond Sushi, we pride ourselves in creative, delicious vegan options no matter the meal! Each salad below has been given our stamp of approval; prepare for a unique, world-inspired flavor guaranteed not to leave you feeling hungry. 

If you don’t feel up to cooking, feel free to stop by and find vegan food near you in any of our restaurants in NYC. We offer mouthwatering vegan options for either dine-in or pickup; we even deliver! There’s no reason to go hungry with such creative options available right at your fingertips.

Vegetable Salad Recipes

Without further ado, read over these easy, filling meal options!

Quinoa Salad 

Chock full of dark, leafy greens, quinoa, and chickpeas, you’ll have no issue reaching your daily protein allotment with the help of this salad! The bright flavor of the citrus dressing provides the perfect contrast to the peppery bite of arugula. Finish this salad with crunchy roasted chickpeas, and you’ve got a meal you’ll be excited to recreate.

Before starting, portion out the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of cooked quinoa
• 2 cups of garbanzo beans
• 5 cups of dark, leafy greens of your choice
• 1 cup of thinly sliced yellow bell peppers
• 1 cup of diced cherry tomatoes
• avocados (to taste)
• Feta cheese (to taste)

For the dressing itself, you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons of citrus juice
• 1 tablespoon of crushed or minced garlic
• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

To really make the most of this salad, we suggest fully roasting the garbanzo beans. Begin this process by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your chickpeas on a cookie sheet in a single layer, then bake your chickpeas until they are dry, crunchy, and golden brown.  

For an extra pop of flavor, season these goodies with garlic salt, hot sauce, or whatever you prefer! Just be sure to eat them quickly. While these roasted beans are technically good for three days, they lose their crunch after just a day or two.  

Japanese-Inspired Spinach Salad

Globally-inspired flavors are always a fun way to incorporate new ingredients and fresh flavors into your meals – this salad is no different. Filling, hearty, and nutrient-dense, this salad has a huge “wow” factor within a somewhat small, dense package. It’ll be a crowd-pleaser, especially among those with a penchant for salty, nutty flavors.

Start with several simple ingredients:

• 8-10lbs of spinach and cook it to reduce
• 2 1/2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 5 tablespoons of soy sauce
• Splash of sake

Also known as “gomae,” this Japanese favorite is a recipe as old as time. It’s easy to make, and the simplicity of the recipe makes it a great opportunity to practice designing your own creations! Think it needs some sharpness? Add rice vinegar. Craving some more “umami?” Add a dash of sesame oil on top!

Because this salad involves no unnecessary oil, it makes for a great low-calorie side. Not only is it healthy, but it can freeze and store for up to a month.  

Massaged Kale Salad

Dark leafy greens like kale and greens have a reputation as the stereotypical “health food” many would rather not touch with a ten-foot pole. While it’s true that raw greens can often be tough and bitter, this massaged salad is hearty and delicious, with a bright, earthy flavor you’ll no doubt love. Not only that, but the process of making this salad can be fun!

To recreate this nutritious salad, you’ll need:

• About 10oz of leafy greens or kale
• 1/4 cup of citrus juice
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1 pinch of salt

This may be the easiest salad you’ve ever made. Simply mix all of your ingredients, then massage. Use your hands to turn the kale/greens over, ripping it and handling it until it’s reached your decided level of softness. The more you mix your kale, the more the citric acid in the lemon juice will reduce the leaves’ natural toughness.

Once you’ve finished, try topping this massaged salad with any number of your favorite proteins! This could include pumpkin seeds or roasted garbanzo beans. For a creamy, sweeter touch, try mixing in fruit as you’re massaging! Personally, we recommend avocado, mango, or strawberries; the bright flavors pair perfectly with the earthiness of most greens. 

Final Thoughts

Even with meals as easy as the salads listed above, nobody needs the pressure of coming up with creative, filling vegan options every night of the week. On days when you just need a break, Beyond Sushi in NYC has got your back.

Come treat yourself to a meal at any of our restaurants. No matter your location in the NYC area, there’s a Beyond Sushi restaurant ready to meet your needs. The beautiful atmosphere and top-notch service is the perfect combination to help you relax and indulge!

If a cozy night at home is more your speed, check out our delivery and pickup options. With our nutritious bites, take-out doesn’t have to feel like a “cheat.” Check out our menu today to see how we can serve you!