Healthy, satisfying Vegan Taco Salad made with black beans, fresh veggies, and taco-seasoned chickpea-walnut crumbles! Then tossed in an easy & flavorful southwestern style dressing. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)
This fresh and hearty Vegan Taco Salad is packed with protein (about 23 grams per serving) and also a variety of plant-based nutrients.
It combines black beans, fresh vegetables, and easy taco-seasoned chickpea-walnut crumbles which are my favorite vegan "beef" crumbles.
And then it is tossed with a simple but flavorful creamy southwestern-style dressing.
Ingredients for Taco Salad
For the salad portion you will toss together in a large bowl:
- Romaine lettuce
- Chickpea-Walnut Taco Crumbles
- Black beans
- Sweet corn: Either cooked fresh, canned, fire-roasted, etc.
- Grape tomatoes: Or cherry, roma, etc.
- Red onion
- Any desired toppings: Such as tortilla chips, guacamole or avocado, fresh cilantro, etc.
Ingredients for Dressing
For the creamy southwestern-style dressing you will need:
- Vegan yogurt: Be sure to use plain and unsweetened. I use Forager cashew milk yogurt.
- Lime juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chili powder: I use mild.
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Pure maple syrup
- Salt
You can also add fresh cilantro and/or chipotle for some smoky spiciness.
For more inspiration, also browse all vegan main dish recipes.
Vegan Taco Salad with Creamy Southwestern Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine (4-5 cups finely chopped)
- 1 batch chickpea-walnut taco crumbles
- 15 oz. can black beans
- 1 cup sweet corn, cooked
- 5 oz. cherry/grape tomatoes (about 1 cup)
- 1/3 cup red onion (or 2-3 green onions)
- Optional for serving: tortilla strips, avocado/guacamole, cilantro
For the Creamy Southwestern Dressing:
- 1 cup vegan yogurt, plain & unsweetened* (about 10 oz.)
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. salt (more/less to taste)
- Optional: fresh cilantro, chipotle
Instructions
- Make the chickpea-walnut taco crumbles.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing: combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk/stir to combine. Adjust flavors if desired. Set aside.
- Finely chop romaine. Halve/quarter grape tomatoes and finely dice red onion.
- Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl (including taco crumbles when finished baking). Toss to combine.
- Place portioned salad in serving bowls and top with desired amount of dressing. Add toppings if desired. (I enjoy crumbled tortilla chips for crunch.)
- If saving for later, store salad and dressing separately in sealed containers in the fridge to preserve freshness.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
If you are enjoying this healthy Vegan Taco Salad with Southwest Dressing, also check out:
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Celeste
Dressing was so good. Mix of veggies was great. My guy and I both loved it.
Kaitlin
Hello Celeste! Wonderful to hear you both enjoyed the salad and dressing. I appreciate you sharing your very kind feedback - thank you!
imsen
This salad was delicious and filling. I especially loved the dressing and the spices. I have made those twice in one week because it was so good. I highly recommend it!
Kaitlin
Great to hear. Thanks for sharing!
Karen Goolsbee
I love this recipe! It was absolutely delicious, and I'll be making this again soon. I'll have to find a way to layer this for a jar for school lunches. Thank you!!
Kaitlin
Wonderful to hear, Karen. (And great idea with turning it into a jar salad for packed lunches!)