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Bowl of green salad with carrots, avocados and beans.

Healthy Rainbow Salad with Dairy Free Maple Dijon Vinaigrette (gf)

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Tracy Halasz

Ingredients

Salad Dressing (more options in post)

  • 2 tablespoons Vegenaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or any vinegar)
  • 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons oregano, dry leaves
  • pinch hot pepper flakes (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients

  • leafy greens of choice
  • cabbage (or bag of coleslaw)
  • tomatoes, halves
  • radish, sliced
  • cucumber, ribbons
  • carrots, grated
  • 1 avocado, slices or chunks
  • chickpeas
  • nuts and seeds, toasted
  • sprouts or fresh herbs

Optional Add Ons (full list in post)

  • crispy onions
  • Gardein Tenders, crispy tofu, vegan sausage

Instructions

  • If including crispy tenders, sausage or tofu (and you don't have leftovers), pop them into the oven now.

Salad Dressing (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan)

  • Mix all dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine. Can be stored in fridge all week.

Salad Ingredients

  • Drain and rinse the beans.
  • For the salad, use a variety of leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula, etc), shredded purple cabbage (or bag of coleslaw), shaved Brussels sprouts, pickled beets, cherry tomato halves, thin cucumber ribbons, radish slices, sweet bell peppers, avocado chunks, quinoa or lentils, and your favorite protein rich beans (I used chickpeas this time). 
  • Add a sprinkle of toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds and garnish with fresh herbs or sprouts. 
  • I enjoy a handful of fresh blueberries, sliced apples or pears in this salad as well.

Notes

Meal Prep - Since you'll be making this salad anyway, make a huge batch. Store the juicy vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers in separate containers. Slice the avocado fresh each day. I love batch cooking a huge green salad and grains on a Sunday for the whole week!
Add Ins - to turn your salad into a full meal deal try some of these plant-based meat replacement. Gardein Tenders (air fry or oven baked). Baked tofu or vegan sausage like Beyond or Field Roast are delicious. Add a grain like whole grain couscous, quinoa or lentils.
Make or buy fried onions for a crunchy salad topper.
Dairy-free salad dressing stores well in the fridge in a jar all week. Great for meal prep.