Salad Archives - Vegetarian Mamma

Apple Pecan Salad (Easy Spinach Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing)

Alysen — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:40:14 +0000

This apple pecan salad is a fresh, crisp, and flavorful dish made with sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and tender greens like spinach and arugula. Tossed in a simple maple balsamic dressing, this easy salad is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Whether you’re looking for a healthy apple pecan salad, a quick lunch, or a fall side dish for Thanksgiving, this recipe comes together in minutes and always impresses.

⭐ This is the best apple pecan salad if you want something quick, fresh, and packed with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals.

What Is Apple Pecan Salad?

Apple pecan salad is a fresh salad made with crisp apples, leafy greens like spinach, crunchy pecans, and a sweet-tangy dressing such as maple balsamic vinaigrette. It is commonly served as a healthy side dish or light meal, especially during the fall season.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Pecan Salad

Easy apple pecan salad ready in under 20 minutes
Healthy apple pecan salad packed with fresh ingredients
Perfect fall apple pecan salad for holidays and gatherings
Naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan
Works as a side dish or light meal

Try my Kale Apple Slaw recipe too! Apples are so tasty in salads.

Ingredients for Apple Pecan Salad

To make this spinach apple pecan salad, you’ll need:

Fresh spinach or mixed greens
Crisp apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work best)
Pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
Dried cranberries
Feta cheese (optional)
Red onion (thinly sliced)
Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper

Best Apples for Apple Pecan Salad

Choosing the right apples makes a big difference in your apple pecan salad recipe. The best apples for salad are crisp, slightly sweet, and hold their texture. My favorite is Honeycrisp for texture and flavor.

Apple Variety	Flavor	Texture	Best For

Honeycrisp

Sweet-tart

Very crisp

Best overall

Fuji

Sweet

Firm

Kid-friendly

Gala

Mild sweet

Crisp

Budget option

Pink Lady

Tart

Firm

Extra flavor

Avoid overly soft apples like Red Delicious, which don’t add the same crunch.

How to Make Apple Pecan Salad

Wash and dry the spinach or greens.
Slice apples thinly and remove seeds.
Toast pecans in a skillet for 3–5 minutes until fragrant.
In a large bowl, combine spinach, apples, pecans, cranberries, and red onion.
Whisk together the maple balsamic dressing ingredients.
Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently.
Top with feta cheese before serving.

This easy apple pecan salad comes together quickly and is best served fresh.

Maple Balsamic Dressing for Apple Salad

This maple balsamic dressing is what takes this apple pecan salad to the next level. The combination of sweet maple syrup and tangy balsamic vinegar pairs perfectly with apples and pecans.

To make:

Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.

This dressing also works well for any spinach apple salad or fall salad recipe.

Tips and Tricks for Making The Best Apple Pecan Salad

Instead of (or in addition to!) grapes, try dried cranberries, raisins, or pomegranate seeds. You could also try this salad with fresh blueberries or strawberries if you have them, but grapes seem to be easier to find in the fall when apples are most delicious.
The best apples for salads are sweet, flavorful, and firm. You also want to choose apples that won't brown easily. I like Cortland, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples in this recipe.
- If you want it sweeter, consider Gala, Fuji, or Honey Crisp. For a tart and sweet mixture, consider: Jazz, Pink Lady, or Jonagold.
The apples will eventually brown, though, so don't stress too much about that! It's just a reaction to air, and can't be entirely avoided. However, you can rinse the apples in a lemon-water mixture to slow the process.
Buy raw pecans and toast them yourself using the instructions here. They are so much more flavorful than nuts you buy that are pre-roasted, and it's simple to do!
Salty feta cheese is perfect here, but you can also substitute blue cheese or goat cheese if you prefer. I suggest buying a chunk of feta and crumbling it yourself for the best flavor and texture.
For a vegan apple pecan salad, omit the cheese or substitute with your favorite dairy-free crumbly cheese alternative.

Ideas for additional items for your Apple Pecan Salad

Ingredient	Flavor Boost
Cranberries	Sweet + tart
Goat cheese	Creamy + tangy
Avocado	Rich + smooth
Chickpeas	Protein boost

What Dressing Goes with Apple Pecan Salad?

The best dressing for apple pecan salad is a maple balsamic vinaigrette, but other great options include:

Apple cider vinaigrette
Honey mustard dressing
Lemon vinaigrette

Each complements the sweet and savory flavors of the salad.

What to Serve With Apple Pecan Salad

Top this salad with your favorite protein and make it a filling meal! Add crispy tofu for a protein, a veggie burger, or grilled chicken for any meat eaters in your family.

Serve this with a cozy fall soup - Vegetarian Potato Soup.

Pair it with an easy gluten-free dinner - Beyond Meat Meatloaf.

This makes an excellent Thanksgiving side dish. Bring this along so you know you have a healthy, gluten-free, vegetarian option, along with my vegan stuffing and vegan sweet potato pie.

How to Store Apple Pecan Salad

Store undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Keep dressing separate until ready to serve
Add apples fresh to prevent browning

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep apples from browning in salad?
To keep apples from browning, toss them in lemon juice or a mixture of water and citrus juice. This slows oxidation and keeps the apples looking fresh longer.

What Dressing Goes Best with Apple Pecan Salad?
Maple balsamic vinaigrette is the most popular dressing because it balances the sweetness of apples with a tangy, rich flavor.

Can I make apple pecan salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but store the dressing separately and slice apples just before serving for the best texture.

Is apple pecan salad healthy?
Yes, this healthy apple pecan salad is packed with fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.

Final Thoughts

This spinach apple pecan salad is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh seasonal produce. The combination of crisp apples, leafy greens, and crunchy pecans creates a healthy apple salad recipe that works as both a light meal or side dish. With a simple homemade dressing, this apple pecan salad with feta can easily be adapted to be vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free.

If you’re looking for the best apple pecan salad recipe, this version delivers flavor, texture, and simplicity in every bite.

More Easy Salad Recipes

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Apple Pecan Salad

This Apple Pecan Salad is a healthy side, topped with crisp apples, toasted pecans, salty feta, and a simple homemade dressing.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword apple pecan salad

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 18

Servings servings

Calories 391kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Baking sheet

Ingredients

2 red apples I like Cortland, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples.
½ heaping cup red grapes
3 oz arugula
3 oz baby spinach
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¾ cup pecan halves raw
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Slice the grapes into halves and the apples into slices, discarding the cores.
Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes until fragrant and toasted.
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
Add the apples, grapes, arugula and spinach to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle over the dressing and toss well to coat.
Sprinkle over the feta cheese and pecans to serve. If desired, save some of the sliced apples to use as a garnish.

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/koET2Yo-61c?feature=share

Notes

Feel free to substitute the grapes for dried cranberries, raisins, or pomegranate seeds. The arugula and spinach can also be substituted for any mixed salad leaves of your choice.
To make this vegan, skip the feta or use a dairy-free alternative.
To help the apples not turn brown, place them once cut into a bowl with 1 tsp of lemon juice to one cup of water. Make sure to cover the apples in the lemon-water mixture.

Nutrition

The post Apple Pecan Salad (Easy Spinach Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing) appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Kale Apple Slaw

Alysen — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 23:56:53 +0000

This vibrant and nutritious coleslaw combines tender shredded kale with the crunch of red and green cabbage, sweet carrots, and juicy, crisp apples. The medley of flavors and textures creates a delightful dish that is both refreshing and satisfying. You’ll fall in love with the easy-to-make dressing, which beautifully balances a hint of sweetness with savory notes, making this kale apple slaw an irresistible and flavorful side dish for any meal.

WHAT MAKES THIS KALE AND APPLE SLAW SO GOOD?

It's so simple to make with easy-to-find ingredients. Easy Vegetarian Recipes are sort of a specialty around here!
A homemade honey mustard vinaigrette is also incredibly easy to make and gives these veggies the most amazing flavor.
Aside from kale and apples, we're upping the crunch factor by adding colorful cabbage and carrots, too. Eating your kale and cabbage raw in a salad gives you plenty of nutrients and fiber.
Kale and apple slaw is a healthy side dish that pairs well with almost anything, but is especially good with hearty proteins like Beyond Meat Meatloaf.
The flavors in this salad feel like Fall to me, but you can make it any time of year! Try this slaw for a summer BBQ along with my easy zucchini and squash bake, or serve it as a side for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

INGREDIENTS FOR KALE APPLE SLAW

Kale - Wash and dry the kale before shredding it into thin pieces. You can use baby kale, or, if you're using full-size kale, cut out the stems first.

Apples - Grab one or two crisp apples and slice them into matchstick-sized pieces.

Other Veggies - we'll add shredded carrot and shredded cabbage to this slaw. I like to shred the vegetables myself (I think it tastes better), but bagged coleslaw mix can be used as well.

Homemade Vinaigrette - It's so easy to mix up the dressing for this salad using olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.

Want to add other things to your slaw? Go ahead! Sunflower seeds or sliced almonds would be delicious, or any other veggies or fruit you want to use.

If you like, Crumbled Feta would take this slaw to a whole 'nother level!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR KALE APPLE SLAW

Take time to prep everything first. A mandoline slicer or a food processor can make easy work of shredding veggies, or give yourself a few minutes to chop everything up with your trusty chef's knife.
To make vegan kale slaw, use maple syrup or agave nectar in place of the honey in the vinaigrette.
This salad is most delicious when eaten the same day you make it. The apples will start to brown, and the kale will get soft if it's left for too long.
To prepare a day or two ahead, make the dressing but store it separately in the fridge. Toss it with the slaw just before serving.
Use your favorite apples in this recipe! Crisp apples work best. Here I used Honeycrisp apples, but you can try Granny Smith, Gala, or Pink Lady apples too.
Try other dressings! We have a whole list of delicious homemade salad dressings you can make at home.

OTHER EASY SALAD RECIPES TO TRY

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey, if you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review and star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

Kale Apple Salad

Kale Apple Salad is a healthy, crunchy and flavorful side dish with the most delicious homemade dressing. It's easy to make and everyone loves it!

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword kale apple slaw

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 145kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups kale shredded
1 cup red cabbage shredded
1 cup green cabbage shredded
2 cups apples (from 1-2 apples) peeled and cut into matchsticks
½ cup carrot shredded
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave (honey if not vegan)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon salt

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add the kale, red cabbage, green cabbage, apples, and carrots to a large bowl.
Add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and salt to a mason jar or bowl.
Whisk vigorously until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined. If you're using a mason jar, close the lid and shake vigorously.
Pour the vinaigrette over the slaw and toss until combined.

Notes

For the best texture and flavor, eat this slaw the same day that you make it. The apples will start to brown after a day, and the veggies will get soft.
Use any kind of crisp apples in this salad! I used Honeycrisp, but you can try Granny Smith, Gala, or Pink Lady.
Make this recipe vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup or agave.

Nutrition

The post Kale Apple Slaw appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

The Best Broccoli Cranberry Salad

Alysen — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:46:00 +0000

The BEST Broccoli Cranberry Salad is just minutes away from being enjoyed. Whip up this mouthwatering broccoli salad, sweetened with cranberries.

Broccoli Cranberry Salad Recipe

I love everything about this Broccoli Salad. To me, this combination of broccoli and cranberries is perfection. This creamy broccoli salad will remind you of warm spring and summer days, even when you eat it in the winter.

It is pretty amazing when food is so powerful it can drum up those warm and fuzzy memories! Have you tried broccoli salad before? If not, I am so excited that you are going to try it!

Need another easy side dish salad idea? Check out my dairy-free Mexican Macaroni salad next.

There are so many versions of this salad. You might have googled cheddar broccoli pasta salad, but there is not any pasta in this one!

But that’s a great idea. I might have to try that one day!

Any meat eaters in the house?

I heard that this cheddar broccoli salad is great topped with bacon. I mean, this vegetarian can not vouch for that, but that is what I’ve heard!

INGREDIENTS IN BROCCOLI CRANBERRY SALAD

Broccoli - Chop your broccoli into small florets to make this salad, so that it's easy to eat.

Cheddar - I like a nice sharp cheese for this, cut into small cubes.

Dried Cranberries - These things are so tangy and sweet, a perfect pairing with the broccoli and cheese.

Red Onion - I love the bright, fresh bite that red onion adds.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE BROCCOLI CRANBERRY SALAD.

In a large bowl combine, broccoli, onion, cheddar and cranberries.
In a smaller bowl combine mayo, ACV and sugar. Whisk to combine and add to broccoli mixture.
Stir well to incorporate all of the ingredients.
Chill for 45 minutes, stir again and serve! ENJOY!

Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is just simply delicious. Broccoli is part of the cruciferous vegetable family. So we are talking about cauliflower, brussels, kale and cabbage.

If you take a look at one cup of broccoli, you will find 100% of your daily needs for vitamins C and K! Needing some vitamin A, folate and potassium? Broccoli has got you covered there too!

Broccoli Salad Dressing

The dressing of this broccoli cheddar salad is pretty easy to make and it tastes pretty amazing! I think you will be impressed! Just one taste and you will agree!

I made it with mayo, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. I like using it on other salads and even as a spread for sandwiches too.

Give it a stir and you are almost ready to enjoy! I hope you are getting hungry!

More Salad Recipes

If you are a salad lover, you should check out some of our other salad recipes! We have a delicious Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, or for something a little different, try our Watermelon Basil Salad!

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Broccoli Cranberry Salad

The BEST Broccoli Cranberry Salad is just minutes away from being enjoyed. Whip together this mouthwatering broccoli salad that is sweetened with cranberries.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Broccoli Cranberry Salad

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings people

Calories 630kcal

Author Alysen

Ingredients

4 c broccoli cut into small pieces
½ c red onion diced
1 c cheddar cubbed
½ c dried cranberries
1 c mayo
2 T Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ c sugar

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Fill a small bowl with water and soak red onions for 5 minutes. This will take some of the "bite"out of the onion! Then drain water.
In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, cheddar, and cranberries.
In a smaller bowl combine mayo, ACV and sugar. Whisk to combine and add to broccoli mixture. Stir well.
Chill for 45 minutes, stir again and serve! ENJOY!

Nutrition

Key Takeaways

The Broccoli Cranberry Salad is quick to make and combines broccoli with sweet cranberries for a delightful taste.
Ingredients include broccoli, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, and red onion, all chopped for easy eating.
Mix the dressing using mayo, apple cider vinegar, and sugar for an amazing flavor that enhances the salad.
Broccoli packs a nutritional punch, providing vitamins C and K, along with folate and potassium.
Explore other delicious salad recipes like Mediterranean Quinoa Salad and Watermelon Basil Salad for more variety.

Other recipes to try:

The post The Best Broccoli Cranberry Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Watermelon Basil Salad

Alysen — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Sweet, savory, and totally refreshing, this healthy Watermelon Basil Salad with feta cheese is anything but ordinary!

Bring this summer salad to the next backyard BBQ, and watch it disappear.

Why This Watermelon Basil Salad Recipe is So Good

It's So Simple to Make. If you need a super quick side dish to bring to a party or serve your family, this one is a winner! It takes about 10 minutes to chop up the watermelon and mix everything together.
With a Tasty Homemade Dressing. I used to be intimidated by homemade salad dressing recipes, but honestly, they're so easy, they taste way better, and they're inexpensive. The dressing for watermelon basil salad uses lime juice and balsamic vinegar to add the perfect amount of acidity to the fruit.
And Everyone Loves It. Maybe everyone is tired of the same old, same old when it comes to summer side dishes? Serve them this fresh take instead!

If you love watermelon, you have to try making Watermelon Steaks next! It's incredible how you can transform fruit this way into a meaty-tasting main course.

Tips and Tricks for Making The Best Watermelon Salad

The best watermelon basil salad starts with fresh ingredients. Ensure your watermelon is fresh and ripe, and that your herbs and cucumbers are as fresh as possible.
Add some greens! Arugula, spinach, or parsley would be delicious mixed into this salad.
Or add more fruit. Blueberries are a beautiful and tasty addition.
Skip the feta if you'd like to make this recipe vegan, or use your favorite crumbly-style vegan cheese instead.
Store leftover watermelon salad in the fridge for up to 3 days. The melon will start to soften a bit with storage, though, so it's best to enjoy this recipe as soon as possible.

What to Serve with Watermelon Basil Salad

This salad with watermelon is definitely a summer recipe! It's great with grilled potatoes and veggies, grilled tofu, or your favorite rice or pasta dishes. Sometimes we have a dinner of sides and pair it with other salads, like the Marinated Tomato Burrata Salad.

Other vegetarian BBQ options are my Vegan Macaroni Salad, Cajun Fried Corn, Easy Summer Fruit Salad, and Vegan Baked Beans recipes.

Don't forget to mix up some refreshing summer drinks too! Try a Watermelon Cucumber Cooler, Malibu Sunrise, or a simple Whisky and Coke to cool you down.

Keep these easy recipes handy and you'll be prepared for every invitation this season!

More Healthy Salad Recipes

Apple Pecan Salad
Broccoli Cranberry Salad
Vegan Chicken Salad (with chickpeas!)
Greek Cucumber Salad
Vegan Caesar Salad with homemade dressing and tofu croutons

Watermelon Basil Salad

Sweet, savory, and totally refreshing, this healthy Watermelon Basil Salad with feta cheese is anything but ordinary!

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword watermelon basil salad

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 181kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Juice of a lime
Salt and pepper to taste
5 cups watermelon diced into cubes
⅓ cup loosely packed fresh basil chopped
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cucumber diced
¼ small red onion sliced

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

To make the dressing, add the honey, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, salt, and pepper to a small bowl and mix to combine.
Add the watermelon, basil, feta, cucumber, and red onion to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the ingredients.
Toss the salad with your hands or two wooden spoons to combine. Garnish with additional basil or feta if desired.

Notes

The best watermelon basil salad starts with fresh ingredients. Make sure your watermelon is fresh and ripe, and that your herbs and cucumbers are as fresh as they can be as well.
Add some greens! Arugula, spinach, or parsley would be delicious mixed into this salad.
Or add more fruit. Blueberries are a beautiful and tasty addition.
Skip the feta if you'd like to make this recipe vegan, or use your favorite crumbly-style vegan cheese instead.
This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
Store leftover watermelon salad in the fridge for up to 3 days. The melon will start to soften a bit with storage though, so it's best to enjoy this recipe as soon as possible.

Nutrition

The post Watermelon Basil Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Polish Cucumber Salad

Alysen — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Polish Cucumber Salad with sour cream and dill is a fresh and bright side dish with classic eastern European flavors. The Polish word for this delicious crunchy cucumber recipe is "mizeria", and it's a summertime favorite.

You have to try this simple cucumber salad recipe! It requires just 5 ingredients and some salt and pepper. It truly is simplicity, perfected.

Why This Creamy Polish Cucumber Salad Recipe is So Good

Simple, Fresh Ingredients. The polish cucumber salad ingredients are easy to find year-round, although I tend to make this salad most often in the summer when fresh dill and cucumbers are flowing from the backyard garden and farmer's market!
It Goes with Everything! Serve Polish cucumber salad at holidays, summer bbq parties, or as part of a healthy weeknight dinner. It pairs well with all types of dishes due to its easygoing flavors.
Crisp, Flavorful Cucumbers. On their own, cucumbers are nice, but not all that exciting, right? This salad will show you that sliced cucumbers can be so delicious with just a little bit of added love (plus sour cream, lemon juice, dill, and red onion!). We're sharing tips and tricks to make the perfect sour cream cucumber salad in the recipe.

Have an abundance of cucumbers? Turn them into a festive cocktail with this white cucumber sangria recipe, or use them to make a Greek Cucumber Salad next!

Tips and Tricks for Making The Best Polish Cucumber Salad

Slice the Cucumbers Thinly. This is key to making perfect polish cucumber salad with the best crisp texture. Use a mandolin slicer to make your cuts exact, or carefully slice the cukes with a knife.
Skin on or Off? It doesn't matter, you can do what you like! Traditionally, garden cucumbers or pickling cucumbers would be peeled to make this salad, but now that we have access to English cucumbers with tender, easy-to-eat skin, it's fine to leave it on.
Salt the Cucumbers. This step in the recipe takes a little bit of time, but it's totally worth it. After you slice the cucumbers, put them in a colander with some salt and let them sit for a bit. The salt seasons the cucumbers but also removes some of their moisture.
Fresh Dill is Best. Grow some in your garden, or pick up a bit from the grocery store. You don't need very much of it, as a little bit goes a long way. Use any extra dill to mix up a tasty Mediterranean dipping sauce! In a pinch, try using freeze-dried dill in place of fresh.
Make Vegan Cucumber Salad by replacing the sour cream in this recipe with vegan sour cream or plain coconut yogurt.
Serve right away. You can store this salad in the fridge for 1-2 days, but it's best enjoyed fresh or within a few hours of making it. As it sits in the fridge, the cucumbers will release more liquid and the salad will get watery.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes to Make With Fresh Produce

Polish Cucumber Salad

A refreshing creamy Polish cucumber salad recipe with fresh dill and red onion makes the best summer side dish, and it's simple to make.

Course Salad

Cuisine Polish

Keyword polish cucumber salad

Prep Time 10

Resting time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 79kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Ingredients

1 lb English cucumber from 1-2 cucumbers
½ tsp salt
½ cup sour cream
1 tbsp fresh dill roughly chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ cup red onion finely chopped

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Peel the cucumbers if desired. Using a knife or mandolin, thinly slice the cucumber and place in a colander or large sieve over a bowl.
Toss the cucumber slices with salt and let sit and drain for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Drain and pat the cucumbers dry with a clean towel.
In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, fresh dill, lemon juice, and ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
Add the cucumbers and red onion to the sour cream mixture. Stir until combined.
Serve immediately or chill before serving. Top with additional dill if desired.

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/0tsxvNHOstM

Notes

Salt the Cucumbers. This step in the recipe takes a little bit of time, but it's totally worth it.
Serve Polish cucumber salad right away, or chill for up to a day before serving. It's best if enjoyed within 1-2 days of making it, as the cucumbers will get watery as they sit in the fridge.
It's up to you if you'd like to peel the cucumbers. With English cucumbers, I usually leave the skin on, but if I'm using standard cucumbers I'll peel them.
Make vegan cucumber salad by replacing the sour cream in this recipe with vegan sour cream or plain coconut yogurt.

Nutrition

The post Polish Cucumber Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Vegan Macaroni Salad

Alysen — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 20:28:04 +0000

Vegan Macaroni Salad is an easy crowd pleaser! This salad is packed with colorful and flavorful veggies, tender pasta, and a dairy-free creamy dressing. You will love the crunch and the creaminess this macaroni salad brings to the table!

This simple recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut free - just use vegan sour cream to make this dish vegan!

Why this Vegan Macaroni Salad is SO Good

This crowd pleasing dish is super simple to make. It is literally a dump-and-stir type of recipe. Serve with some Vegan Sloppy Joe Sliders and you've got yourself a summer BBQ type of meal!
This vegan macaroni salad without mayo is perfect for summer cookouts, Sunday potlucks, and more! No summer BBQ is complete without this delicious and creamy macaroni salad!
This dish is highly customizable, like many of our recipes around here. You can easily add in more of your favorite ingredients and take out the items you do not care for.
The texture is spot on. This salad provides a creamy and crunchy texture. You get the best of both worlds!

Looking for a delicious summer cocktail recipe? Try a refreshing gin mojito with lime and mint!

Tips and Tricks for Vegan Macaroni Salad

Want to load up this vegan macaroni salad even more? Here are some ideas of additional ingredients you can add in: beans (garbanzo or white bean), vegan bacon bits, thinly sliced radishes, a dollop of pickle relish, diced cucumber and of course some vegan cheese!
If you are using gluten-free pasta, it is best to use a brand like Jovial. It seems to hold up the best in pasta salad situations. It is also best to make it the "day of" if you are using GF pasta.
Rinse your pasta. When making a cold pasta salad, it’s better to rinse the pasta; this will stop the cooking, speed up the cooling and remove the excess starch, which could risk sticking the pasta to the other ingredients.
To make the macaroni salad extra creamy, simply add more vegan sour cream!
This vegan macaroni salad should keep for a couple of days in the fridge. If you are using gluten-free pasta that timeline may be shorter since it can get mushy. I like to let mine sit, in the fridge, for about 2 hours to let the flavors come together before serving.
Serve vegan macaroni salad with Watermelon Steaks, Pineapple BBQ Tofu, or get all my best tips and tricks for grilling tofu perfectly.

Need More Vegan BBQ Ideas?

Take any of these vegan salads and sides to the next summer party you're invited to:

Instant Pot Baked Beans
Colorful Zucchini Bake
Vegan Caesar Salad
Sweet Potato Brownies
Vegan "chicken" Salad
Broccoli Cranberry Salad (just skip the cheese)
Polish Cucumber Salad

How Long Can Macaroni Salad Sit Out?

This is a very interesting question, particularly because we're talking about a vegan macaroni salad that doesn't include any mayonnaise, eggs, or dairy products.

Are the rules the same for regular mac salad and vegan mac salad? Let's see!

Traditional macaroni salad is made with mayonnaise, sometimes hard boiled eggs, and often other things like sour cream or yogurt. None of these items should be left out of the refrigerator for any length of time! The rule is, serve the salad, then put it back in the fridge asap so that nobody gets sick from eating spoiled salad.

On the other hand, this vegan, non-dairy pasta salad is made with a dressing of vegan sour cream. The makers of Vegenaise state that their product can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours!

I wouldn't push it quite that far though. Just because this macaroni salad is dairy-free, doesn't mean that you should completely disregard food safety recommendations!

Your vegan macaroni salad can sit out at room temperature for as long as it takes to enjoy a meal. Otherwise, keep it in the fridge for best results.

More Vegan Recipes To Try

If you love air fryer recipes, be sure to check out our Sister Site, Air Fryer Eats.

Vegan Macaroni Salad

Vegan Macaroni Salad is a crowd pleaser! This vegan macaroni salad is packed with colorful and flavorful veggies. You will love the crunch and the creaminess this macaroni salad brings to the table! Naturally gluten free, dairy free and nut free, just use vegan mayo to make this dish vegan!

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword vegan macaroni salad

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 12

Total Time 37

Servings serving

Calories 346kcal

Author Alysen

Ingredients

6 cups macaroni pasta cooked
1 can red beans 15.5 oz can, drained and rinsed
2 shallots diced
3 green onions slied
1 bell pepper orange, diced
2 plum tomatoes diced
1 cup corn fresh or frozen
⅓ cup cilantro fresh
1 cup sour cream vegan
1 cup salsa
1 teaspoon cumin
1 lime juiced (about 2 T)

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to the packaging instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, rinse and drain it under cold water.
Wash and prepare all your vegetables. Add cooked pasta and vegetables to a bowl and stir.
Then add in the sour cream mixture to the bowl.
Next add in the salsa to the pasta mixture.
Finally, add in the spices. Mix well to combine everything.
You can let the vegan macaroni salad sit in the fridge for 1 hour to develop the flavor even more.

Notes

Want to load up this vegan macaroni salad even more? Here are some ideas of additional ingredients you can add in: beans (garbanzo or white bean), vegan bacon bits, thinly sliced radishes, a dollop of pickle relish, diced cucumber and of course some vegan cheese!
If you are using gluten-free pasta, it is best to use a brand like Jovial. It seems to hold up the best in pasta salad situations. It is also best to make it the "day of" if you are using GF pasta.
Rise your pasta. When making a cold pasta salad, it’s better to rinse the pasta; this will stop the cooking, speed up the cooling and remove the excess starch, which could risk sticking the pasta to the other ingredients.
This vegan macaroni salad should keep for a couple of days in the fridge. If you are using gf pasta that timeline may be shorter, it can get mushy. I like to let mine sit about 2 hours to let the flavors come together before serving.

Nutrition

The post Vegan Macaroni Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Christmas Fruit Salad

Alysen — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Christmas Fruit Salad is a perfect mix of winter fruits in bright festive colors for the holidays. This easy Christmas recipe takes just a few minutes to make, and everyone will love it!

Why This Christmas Fruit Salad Recipe is So Good

A Healthy Option: Christmas, like most holidays, can be filled with candy, cookies, and heavy meals. Including a fresh fruit salad in your holiday spread will give everyone a welcome boost of nutrition!
Super Simple to Make: To make a fruit salad, all you need to do is wash and prepare the fruit. A simple dressing made with fresh lemon juice and honey is added, and you're done.
A Traditional Christmas Side Dish: Fruit salad was introduced to Americans during WWII, and was said to be key in improving our intake of vitamin C. When the great depression hit in the 30s, fruit was not always easy to get, so it became a dish that was saved for special occasions, like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Tips and Tricks for Making Christmas Fruit Salad

Choosing Fruit: The fruits in this Christmas fruit salad work well together, are easy to find in December, and are festively red and green (with some orange and blue mixed in too)! You can feel free to add other fruits that you enjoy too. If there's something in this recipe that you don't enjoy, simply leave it out.
Other Fruits to Add to Christmas Salad include sliced star fruit, green or red grapes, green melon, watermelon, and strawberries.
Make this Recipe Vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup.
Avoid Browning: To prevent the apple and pear pieces from browning whilst you are dicing and prepping everything, you can submerge them in a bowl of water and simply drain them once ready to use.
Pomegranate Seeds Can Bleed: To prevent the lighter-colored fruit from being dyed red by the pomegranate seeds, you can scatter these over at the end rather than mixing them through if desired.
Make It Extra Fun: Instead of mixing the fruit together, layer it based on color in a clear glass bowl or trifle dish. You can also separate the fruit into individual bowls if you'd like. Or make a batch of Fruit Dip and combine this salad with the dip! It makes for a delish creamy dish!
Winter Fruit Salad is Best Served Fresh: While you can make this salad a few hours ahead of time, I don't suggest trying to make it much further in advance than that. That said, any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. They'll be tasty, but the fruit will start to brown and get soft.

What to Serve With Christmas Fruit Salad

You can serve this salad during your Christmas morning breakfast or brunch. It would be delicious along with Vegan Blueberry Scones, Vegan Biscotti, or our No Sugar Banana Bread. Fruit and cream cheese breakfast pastries could also be a delicious way to get more fruit into the day!

Christmas Fruit Salad is also a wonderful side dish to go along with your other holiday dinner offerings. Try our Deconstructed Lasagna, Ranch Mashed Potatoes, and Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots if you're looking for things to add to the Christmas menu.

More Holiday Recipes To Try

We also found this delicious recipe for Citrus salad that would make a perfect addition to any dinner table!

Christmas Fruit Salad

Christmas Fruit Salad is a perfect mix of winter fruits in bright festive colors for the holidays. This easy Christmas recipe takes just a few minutes to make, and everyone will love it!

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword christmas fruit salad

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 261kcal

Author Alysen

Ingredients

4 clementines
2 pears
2 kiwis
2 granny smith apples
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
½ cup pomegranate seeds
3 tbsp honey
Juice of a lemon

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Gather your ingredients.
Dice the apples, pears and kiwis. Peel the clementines and split them into segments.
Mix together the lemon juice and honey in a small bowl.
Add the chopped fruit to a large mixing bowl along with the raspberries, blueberries and pomegranate seeds. Pour over the dressing and stir well to combine.

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/nOb4QbcIJIU

Notes

To prevent the apple and pear pieces from browning whilst you are dicing and prepping everything, you can submerge them in a bowl of water and simply drain them once ready to use.
To prevent the color of the pomegranate seeds from bleeding into the rest of the fruit, you can scatter these over at the end rather than mixing them through if desired.
The fruits in this Christmas fruit salad work well together, are easy to find in December, and are festively red and green! You can feel free to add other fruits that you enjoy too.

Nutrition

The post Christmas Fruit Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Alysen — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Gorgeous, colorful fruit is a welcome addition to your holiday table! This easy Thanksgiving Fruit salad can be prepared quickly and is simply delicious tossed with pumpkin spice seasoning, lemon juice, and honey.

Why This Thanksgiving Fruit Salad Recipe is So Good

A Healthy Option: Thanksgiving, like most holidays, can be filled with candy, pies, and heavy meals. Including a fresh fruit salad in your holiday spread will give everyone a welcome boost of nutrition!
Super Simple to Make: To make a fruit salad, all you need to do is wash and prepare the fruit. A simple dressing made with fresh lemon juice and honey is added, and you're done.
Pumpkin Spice: I can't get enough of this stuff! A bit of pumpkin pie spice mixed into the dressing for this fruit salad makes it warm and full of the best kind of autumn vibes.

If you're looking for a vegetable-based salad for thanksgiving this year, try our Kale Apple Slaw.

Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Choosing Fruit: The fruits in this Thanksgiving fruit salad work well together, are easy to find in November, and some are perfectly seasonal, like the apples and pears. You can feel free to add other fruits that you enjoy too. If there's something in this recipe that you don't enjoy, simply leave it out.
Other Fruits to Add to Thanksgiving Fruit Salad include canteloupe, fresh mandarin orange slices, blueberries, and raspberries. Or use these fruits in this Frog Eye Salad (just swap out the pasta for gf pasta!)
Make this Recipe Vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup.
Without any Pumpkin Pie Spice, this recipe is still completely perfect! You can also use cinnamon if that's what you have on hand.
Avoid Browning: To prevent the apple and pear pieces from browning whilst you are dicing and prepping everything, you can submerge them in a bowl of water and simply drain them once ready to use.
Pomegranate Seeds Can Bleed: To prevent the lighter-colored fruit from being dyed red by the pomegranate seeds, you can scatter these over at the end rather than mixing them through if desired.
Fruit Salad is Best Served Fresh: While you can make this salad a few hours ahead of time, I don't suggest trying to make it much further in advance than that. That said, any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. They'll be tasty, but the fruit will start to brown and get soft.

What to Serve With Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

This delicious fruit salad will be perfect with your Thanksgiving dinner, no matter if you're serving a traditional roast or a vegetarian thanksgiving meal.

Try my Beyond Meat Meatloaf- it's the vegan comfort food of your dreams! You can even make meatloaf in the air fryer for your vegan Thanksgiving.

It's a great option to take to someone else's house for thanksgiving as well, especially if you aren't sure that the food being served will be vegetarian. I always make sure to bring something that I enjoy.

If you're new to cooking for Thanksgiving, check out this information on the essential Thanksgiving spices you'll want to pick up!

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

This easy Thanksgiving Fruit salad can be prepared quickly and is simply delicious tossed with pumpkin spice seasoning, lemon juice, and honey.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword thanksgiving fruit salad

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 227kcal

Author Alysen

Ingredients

2 red apples
2 pears
2 kiwis
1 cup red grapes
1 cup strawberries
½ cup pomegranate seeds
Juice of a lemon
3 tbsp honey
¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Dice the apples, pears and kiwis. Slice the grapes into halves and the strawberries into quarters.
Mix together the lemon juice, honey and pumpkin pie spice.
Add the chopped fruit to a large mixing bowl along with the pomegranate seeds. Pour the dressing over the fruit and stir well to combine.

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/dp65t5gQeZg

Notes

To prevent the apple and pear pieces from browning whilst you are dicing and prepping everything, you can submerge them in a bowl of water and simply drain them once ready to use.
To prevent the color of the pomegranate seeds from bleeding into the rest of the fruit, you can scatter these over at the end rather than mixing them through if desired.
Feel free to add or substitute any fruits that you'd like to in this recipe. Try adding orange tones with canteloupe or tangerine wedges.

Nutrition

The post Thanksgiving Fruit Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Alysen — Thu, 12 May 2022 13:26:23 +0000

Mexican Macaroni Salad is a crowd pleaser! You will love the crunch and the creaminess this macaroni salad brings to the table! This Mexican Macaroni Salad is packed with colorful and flavorful veggies.

What Makes This Mexican Macaroni Salad So Delicious

The texture is spot on. This salad provides a creamy and crunchy texture.
This crowd pleasing dish is super simple to make. It is literally a dump and stir type of recipe.
This dish is highly customizable, like many of our recipes around here. You can easily add more in of your favorite ingredients and take out the items you do not care for.
It is the perfect dish to take to your next BBQ or Potluck!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MEXICAN MACARONI SALAD

Want to load up this vegan macaroni salad even more? Here are some ideas of additional ingredients you can add in: black beans, sliced jalapeno circles and of course some vegan cheese!
If you are using gluten-free pasta, it is best to use a brand like Jovial. It seems to hold up the best in pasta salad situations. It is also best to make it the "day of" if you are using GF pasta.
Rinse your pasta. When making a cold pasta salad, it’s better to rinse the pasta; this will stop the cooking, speed up the cooling and remove the excess starch, which could risk sticking the pasta to the other ingredients.
This vegan macaroni salad should keep for a couple of days in the fridge. If you are using gf pasta that timeline may be shorter, it can get mushy. I like to let mine sit about 2 hours to let the flavors come together before serving.

More Mexican Themed Recipes To Enjoy

If you are a huge fan of flavors, (Think: southwest, Indian, Italian and more!) just like me, you have got to try this yummy spicy southwest salad. I made it recently it but swapped the chicken for sauteed tofu, swapped the cheese and ranch for DF subs! Super yummy!

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword vegan macaroni salad

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 12

Total Time 37

Servings serving

Calories 346kcal

Author Alysen

Ingredients

6 cups macaroni pasta cooked
1 can red beans 15.5 oz can, drained and rinsed
2 shallots diced
3 green onions slied
1 bell pepper orange, diced
2 plum tomatoes diced
1 cup corn fresh or frozen
⅓ cup cilantro fresh
1 cup sour cream vegan
1 cup salsa
1 teaspoon cumin
1 lime juiced (about 2 T)

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to the packaging instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, rinse and drain it under cold water.
Wash and prepare all your vegetables. Add cooked pasta and vegetables to a bowl and stir.
Then add in the sour cream mixture to the bowl.
Next add in the salsa to the pasta mixture.
Finally, add in the spices. Mix well to combine everything.
You can let the vegan macaroni salad sit in the fridge for 1 hour to develop the flavor even more.

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/Zt2Ayot7ong

Notes

If you are using gluten-free pasta, it is best to use a brand like Jovial. It seems to hold up the best in pasta salad situations. It is also best to make it the "day of" if you are using GF pasta.
Rise your pasta. When making a cold pasta salad, it’s better to rinse the pasta; this will stop the cooking, speed up the cooling and remove the excess starch, which could risk sticking the pasta to the other ingredients.
This vegan macaroni salad should keep for a couple of days in the fridge. If you are using gf pasta that timeline may be shorter, it can get mushy. I like to let mine sit about 2 hours to let the flavors come together before serving.

Nutrition

The post Mexican Macaroni Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Vegan Caesar Salad

Alysen — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:15:06 +0000

Vegan Caesar salad is crunchy, tangy, and creamy with all plant-based ingredients. Add crumbly vegan Parmesan cheese and crispy tofu croutons to the mix for the best salad ever.

VEGAN CAESAR SALAD RECIPE

Salads are so filling and delicious. but I often forget I can make them at home! This Vegan Caesar Salad is better than any restaurant offering, I promise. Plus, no fishy ingredients here!

This homemade vegan Caesar dressing is so creamy and delicious. Top it all off with crumbly grated vegan Parmesan cheese and a handful of crunchy tofu croutons, and it is one delicious salad! Pair it with some roasted artichoke halves and you've got yourself a meal!

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN CAESAR SALAD

Romaine lettuce: Traditionally, a Caesar salad is made with crispy romaine lettuce. You can switch it up if you want!

Vegan Caesar dressing: I love this super creamy vegan Caesar dressing recipe. It has all the classic Caesar salad flavor with none of the anchovies.

Croutons: Vegan croutons are so hard to find! You can make croutons at home with old bread, but you can make the best croutons out of tofu! They are perfectly crunchy with plenty of protein, too. Pro tip: For the crispiest tofu croutons, be sure to use a tofu press!

Vegan Parmesan cheese: If you have not made vegan Parm yet, you are in for a treat! It only takes a few minutes, and you can sprinkle it on anything.

If you have any questions about how to make vegan Caesar salads or and of the yummy ingredients, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CAESAR SALAD

First, wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
Then, add the chopped lettuce to a large mixing bowl. Mix vegan Parmesan cheese and tofu croutons into salad gently.
Finally, toss everything with creamy vegan Caesar dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!

For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for the best vegan Caesar salad, please see the recipe below.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN CAESAR SALAD

I love a simple soup and salad night! This vegan Caesar salad goes so well alongside a bowl of potato soup, pumpkin soup, or even tofu chili.

The tofu croutons really make this simple Caesar salad a whole meal. However, I often have a sweet tooth when I am done with dinner. Save room for these super easy and totally chewy sweet potato brownies! They are gluten-free and have none of the sweet potato taste.

WHAT IS IN VEGAN CAESAR SALAD DRESSING?

There are a lot of ways to make vegan Caesar dressing. Some people use vegan mayo or other dairy replacements, but I keep it simple.

For this vegan Caesar dressing recipe, I use soaked cashews and water for the creamy base. I add lemon juice, wholegrain mustard garlic powder, and soy sauce for that perfect tangy taste, too.

Toss it all in a blender, and you will never buy salad dressing again!

HOW TO SERVE VEGAN CAESAR SALAD

To make the best vegan Caesar salad, toss all your dry ingredients together, including garnishes, first. Then, add a little dressing, and toss. Keep adding vegan Caesar dressing until you are satisfied with the coverage.

I always add a little salt and pepper to my salads, too. It adds so much additional flavor on top!

When it comes to hearty salad recipes, making things ahead of time does not always work. However, you can mix the dry ingredients together ahead of time! When it is time to eat, just toss them in dressing and serve.

Do not try to store leftovers with vegan Caesar dressing on them. The salad unfortunately will wilt very fast.

MORE TASTY VEGAN RECIPES

This Vegan Beef Stew is a savory blend of fresh herbs and vegetables. The stew combines plant-based ingredients to deliver superb flavor and texture.

Have you fallen in love with your air fryer yet? These vegan air fryer recipes will help! You can make anything from easy apps to decadent desserts with my fav kitchen appliance.

Make the best vegan German chocolate cake from scratch! The moist chocolate cakes are topped with coconut and pecan icing and creamy chocolate buttercream.

Have you tried this vegan Caesar dressing on a simple pasta salad? Just let the noodles cool, and mix it up! You can also add it to cucumbers, or make a tasty Polish cucumber salad instead.

Looking for a side dish to add to this salad? You'll love the flavor in this Guatemalan Coconut Rice and Red Beans dish!

Want to look deeper into vegetarian and vegan eating? Visit. Creating Healthy Eating Habits at Home: Tips from the Experts

Vegan Caesar Salad

Make the best salad ever with all plant-based ingredients! This Caesar salad is filled with flavor but no fish-based ingredients.

Course Salad

Cuisine Vegan

Keyword dairy-free Caesar salad, vegan Caesar salad

Prep Time 25

Total Time 25

Servings people

Calories 189kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 head romaine lettuce
1 cup tofu croutons
½ cup vegan Caesar salad dressing
½ cup vegan Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Wash and chop the romaine lettuce.
Add chopped lettuce to a large mixing bowl. Toss gently with vegan Parmesan cheese and tofu croutons.
Drizzle salad with vegan Caesar dressing, and toss again. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Video

https://youtu.be/2nj8ejwV4gs

Nutrition

The post Vegan Caesar Salad appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Vegan Caesar Dressing

Alysen — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:14:52 +0000

Vegan Caesar dressing is creamy, tangy, and totally plant-based! Whip up this easy vegan salad dressing recipe in just 5 minutes. Perfect for meal prep.

VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING RECIPE

I love homemade salad dressings. They just taste better! This Vegan Caesar dressing is one of my favorites because so many of my friends could not tell the difference. It's got all the flavors of Caesar salad dressing and that same creamy texture.

This recipe is completely plant-based with no anchovies or Worcestershire sauce in sight! I keep it simple with just 5 pantry staples, including super creamy cashews. Toss it with lettuce for a quick and easy salad or use it as a delicious dip.

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING

Cashews: Be sure to soak your cashews in hot water for about half an hour before making the vegan dressing. This makes them super creamy and luscious.

Lemon juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice because it adds a brighter, fresh flavor. Store-bought works here, too!

Mustard: I use a hearty wholegrain mustard for this vegan Caesar dressing. It adds the most flavor and the seeds get blended into the salad dressing.

Garlic powder: I love this simple, flavorful spice. It is a little sweeter than raw garlic but adds just as much deliciousness.

Soy sauce: Keep this recipe gluten-free with coconut aminos instead!

If you have any questions about vegan Caesar salad dressing, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING

First, boil some water and soak the cashews for about half an hour.
Then, rinse and drain the nuts.
Now, add the cashews with some water, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, and soy sauce to a blender.
Finally, blend on medium speed until you get a creamy, smooth texture. Store this vegan dressing up to 5 days in the fridge. It is one of my favorite meal prep recipes!

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for the best vegan Caesar dressing, please see the recipe below.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING

There is something magical about a simple Caesar salad. Simply toss this vegan dressing with some crispy Romaine lettuce. I love to top mine with vegan Parmesan cheese and crispy tofu croutons!

Make it a soup and salad night with this creamy vegetarian potato soup. Or serve it alongside this luscious vegan pumpkin soup on a cold autumn night.

WHAT IS VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING MADE OF?

There are a lot of ways to make vegan Caesar dressing. Some people use vegan mayo or other dairy replacements, but I keep it simple.

For this vegan Caesar dressing recipe, I use soaked cashews and water for the creamy base. I add lemon juice, wholegrain mustard garlic powder, and soy sauce for that perfect tangy taste, too.

Toss it all in a blender, and you will never buy salad dressing again!

HOW LONG DOES VEGAN CAESAR DRESSING LAST?

This recipe is perfect for meal prep. It keeps up to 5 days in the fridge and can dress up your lunch salads all week long.

I do not, however, recommend freezing this dressing recipe. Luckily, it is so easy to make, you can whip up a new batch in just 30 minutes!

MORE EASY VEGAN RECIPES

Hearty Tofu Chili is the best vegan comfort food. You can make this chili recipe in less than an hour with tons of succulent veggies and protein-packed beans.

These Air Fryer Mexican Sweet Potatoes are a delicious twist on a baked potato that will knock your socks off! We are topping these beauties with a fresh, homemade salsa made from black beans, corn, onion, jalapeño and more. Fresh lime juice and cilantro bring all the authentic Mexican flavor.

Homemade Strawberry Almond Milk is so creamy and easy with just 4 ingredients! Make this all-natural vegan strawberry milk in just 10 minutes that kids and adults alike love.

If you love this creamy cashew recipe, try this vegan mac and cheese! It is also made with nutritional yeast and white miso for a kick of umami in your fav comfort food.

Vegan Caesar Dressing

Make this plant-based Caesar salad dressing in just 5 minutes. It is perfectly creamy and made with just a few basic ingredients.

Course Salad

Cuisine Gluten-free, Vegan

Keyword dairy-free Caesar dressing, vegan Caesar dressing

Prep Time 35

Total Time 35

Servings people

Calories 63kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

½ cup cashews soaked in hot water for 30 minutes or in room temperature water overnight
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon soy sauce

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Boil water, and soak the cashew in hot water for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, rinse and drain the cashews.
Add cashews, water, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, and soy sauce to a blender. Blend on medium speed until you get a smooth texture.

Notes

Vegan Caesar dressing can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

The post Vegan Caesar Dressing appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.

Vegan Parmesan

Alysen — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:14:36 +0000

Add this Vegan Parmesan to all your salads, soups, and pasta dinners! The crumbly grated texture of cashews and nutritional yeast is just like the real thing without all the dairy.

VEGAN PARMESAN RECIPE

I grew up eating Parmesan cheese by the fistful. It was that chewy, salty, slightly sweet flavor I could not get enough of! Now that I am on a dairy-free diet, I have missed it — until now! This Vegan Parmesan is just like the original with all that flavor and perfectly crumbly.

You only need 5 basic ingredients for this dairy-free Parmesan cheese recipe. Unlike many cashew cheese recipes, there is no need to soak the cashews beforehand. This is so easy, you will love it on all your salads and pastas!

INGREDIENTS IN VEGAN PARMESAN

Cashews: Raw cashews are best for this vegan cheese recipe. It has that perfect flavor and texture, too! In a pinch you can use roasted.

Nutritional yeast: I love the cheesy flavor of nutritional yeast. If you are new to this ingredient, get ready for a yummy, cheesy powder you can add anywhere.

Garlic powder: This gives the vegan Parm a sweet, herbaceous flavor. Powdered garlic is less strong than raw garlic and is the perfect spice here.

If you have any questions about how to make vegan Parmesan cheese, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN PARMESAN

First, blend the cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a blender or food processor.
Then, pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly, just like grated Parmesan cheese!
Finally, season with more salt and pepper until perfectly flavorful.
You can add this crumbly vegan cheese to salads, soups, or pasta dishes! It will last about 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for the best vegan Parmesan cheese, please see the recipe below.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN PARMESAN

I love a simple pasta dinner. Add this dairy-free cheese to a hearty bowl of vegan carbonara! Or sprinkle a little over a homemade spaghetti sauce.

My favorite salad has always been a Caesar salad. Add this cheese with some vegan Caesar salad dressing and crispy tofu croutons on top.

WHAT IS VEGAN PARMESAN CHEESE MADE OF?

Cheese is a crucial element in so many dishes, but dairy-free cheeses are hit or miss. How do you make the perfect crumbly vegan Parmesan?

The two main ingredients in vegan Parmesan cheese are cashews and nutritional yeast. That gives you that perfectly grated texture without the milk.

HOW TO STORE VEGAN PARM

This homemade vegan Parmesan cheese is a great monthly meal prep recipe! It lasts for weeks or months, depending how you store it.

In the fridge, vegan Parmesan will last about 3 weeks in an airtight container.

Want this cheese garnish around even longer? It will last up to 3 months in the freezer! Simply thaw what you need and keep the rest frozen.

MORE EASY VEGAN RECIPES

Tofu Soup is so warm and comforting with an Asian-inspired broth and all your favorite veggies! Add this crispy marinated tofu for a delicious vegan soup that's ready in minutes instead of hours.

Have you ever made tofu in the air fryer? It is truly the best! Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, this three-ingredient Air Fryer Tofu is melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

These Frosted Vegan Sugar Cookies are just like the bakery treats you love with all plant-based ingredients! Whip them up in just 30 minutes and top with a homemade pink vegan buttercream frosting and plenty of sprinkles.

If you loved this vegan Parmesan cheese recipe, you have to try this creamy vegan cheese spread! Just soak the cashews for that super luscious texture and slather it on everything.

Vegan Parmesan

Use this dairy-free Parm on everything you love! It's the perfect texture and has all the flavors you love about Parmesan cheese.

Course Salad, Soup

Cuisine Gluten-free, Vegan

Keyword dairy-free cheese, easy vegan Parmesan, vegan parmesan

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Calories 624kcal

Author Alysen

Equipment

Blender or food processor

Ingredients

¾ cup cashews
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor.
Pulse until crumbly like grated Parmesan cheese. Season to taste.

Video

https://youtu.be/ew4bcKvUfSk

Notes

Vegan Parmesan cheese can be stored up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

The post Vegan Parmesan appeared first on Vegetarian Mamma.