10 Best Vegetarian Salad Recipes

Once upon a time, vegetarian salads were described as just lettuce and tomatoes, with some commenting ‘who orders that?’ But thanks to a few chefs and other food enthusiasts, vegetarian salads started to probe both our appetite and imagination, with veggies going from being a supporting act to the main event. Ricotta, mushrooms, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, parsley, tarragon and garlic – these ingredients can be used to make a number of stellar dishes. You can also dress them up real nice. Yoghurt-based dressings, balsamic vinegar, cold-pressed oils, cherry vinegar, herbs and warm spices: you can literally pick anything under the sun.

Before we get to some of the smashing  vegetarian salad recipes we were talking about, we’ve got a few exciting tips for you that’ll help you build an all-rounder salad that’s not just a 10 on 10 in terms of taste, but brimming with all kinds of essential nutrients and minerals.

1. Go Green – Build a strong foundation before you get to the finer details. So pick lettuce, beans, broccoli and other greens as they’ll fare as the most important and healthiest part of your salad. Why go green? Because green foods are a great source of phytonutrients. They help you regulate blood sugar during the day and are packed with fiber and water.

2. Time for Fiber – Lentils and legumes, flax seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds are all rich in fiber and work well in salads. High fiber foods take longer to digest so they keep you full for longer. Fiber also helps with weight-loss and maintains smooth function of the gastric system.

3. Eat More Protein – You can get protein in your diet without having to chow down chicken or fish. Quinoa, buckwheat, soy/tofu, cottage cheese: these are all some great options that go well in a salad and in fact compliment all the other seasonal produce you plan to use. Protein helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and lowers blood pressure.  

4. A Handful of Nuts – Nuts lend a great texture to salads. Try almonds, walnuts, pistachio, pine nuts and pecans: all of them work well. Nuts are also a powerhouse of energy, full of natural fibre, proteins, minerals and even unsaturated fats.

5. What’s in Season? Pick the best of what’s in season for it will be fresh and flavourful. It’ll also be lighter on your budget. This means that pick up bright bell peppers, pumpkins, zucchini, mangoes, melons in the summers and cauliflower, peas and the like in the winter.

Now that you’ve got all you need to make yourself a warm and hearty vegetarian salad, let’s move on to 10 genius recipes.

Carrot Salad with Black Grape Dressing
Recipe by Preah Narang

Carrots, almonds, raisins and spring onions work together to create a gorgeous desserts that’s not only light on the stomach but also really refreshing.

(Click here for the recipe)

Barley Salad
Recipe by Vicky Ratnani

Toss up some red and yellow bell pepper, sun-kissed corn, cooked barley, garlic, parsley and a handful of other herbs for a salad so bright and healthy, it’ll make you want more.

(Click here for the recipe)

Green Bean Salad
Recipe by Manju Malhi

A simple and quick salad that’ll only take you only 15 minutes and 5 ingredients. Garlic, green beans, pepper, salt and olive oil.

(Click here for the recipe)

 

Green Apple Salad 
Recipe by Aditya Bal

A Thai-inspired salad that’s made with everything green, olive oil, salt and pepper.

(Click here for the recipe)

Leafy Salad with Walnuts
Recipe by Vicky Ratnani

A salad with different textures, nuts, vinegar, cherry tomatoes, crunchy lettuce and Chinese cabbage.

(Click here for the recipe)

Pickled Beetroot with Feta

Recipe by Vicky Ratnani

A really creative salad made with a reduction of wine, vinegar and sugar. The only other things you need are beetroot, feta cheese, pepper, green olives, cilantro and just a pinch of salt.

(Click here for the recipe)



 

Chipotle and Walnut Wheat Berry Salad

Carrots, thyme, walnuts, wine vinegar, raisins and a few more ingredients give you a salad that’s slightly sweet, crunchy and a winner of a dish.

(Click here for the recipe)

Crunchy Ribbon Salad 
Recipe by Vicky Ratnani

A whole lot of green, carrots and cucumber shredded real fine, cherry tomatoes and a mix of black and green olives.

(Click here for the recipe)

Mediterranean Watermelon Salad
Recipe by Vicky Ratnani

A refreshing salad that needs only around 20 minutes. Watermelon cubes, cucumbers, onions, pomegranate juice, mustard paste and a few more basic ingredients you’ll find stocked somewhere in your kitchen cabinets.

(Click here for the recipe)

Quinoa Lentil Salad  
Recipe by Vicky Ratnani

This one’s a real power-booster. Quinoa, asparagus, lentils, pomegranate, some tangy mustard dressing and mosambi juice.

(Click here for the recipe)