10 Refreshing Vegan Salads to Kick off Your Summer

The sun is shining more prominently and the temperature is rising, which means it’s time to bust out the flip flops, uncover the pools, and let the summer festivities begin. One refreshing and nutritious way to get sustaining energy and cool down is to make a nice, cold salad. Enjoy the bounty of summer produce and the crisp, fresh taste of organic greens while sitting in the sun. Here are 10 refreshing vegan salads to kick off your summer:

1. Soba Noodle Salad With Avocado and Mango

This salad makes for the perfect lunch, with its sweet and sour tang of mango and lime, as well as the creaminess of avocado and the fresh taste of mint.

2. Vegan Potato Salad with Cilantro, Dill, Tomatoes, and Raw Mayo

Who says vegan salads have to be all lettuce and no taste? Not only is this salad super tasty from the fresh dill, but it’s also hearty from the potatoes and raw mayo. Add some juicy, red summer tomatoes and you’re set!

3. Arugula Fennel Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

The apples in this salad make for a nice, refreshing meal, but feel free to switch out the apples for some juicy summer berries or your desired form of fresh produce instead.

4. Spicy Asian Cucumber Avocado Salad

This hydrating and cooling salad is the perfect summer snack. Small red onion and cayenne pepper gives this dish a nice kick.

5. Pistachio Artichoke Pesto Quinoa Salad

The pesto sauce here is a bit different and worth trying – it’s flavored from fresh basil, olive oil, lemon juice, and pistachios instead of pine nuts. This is another filling option because the quinoa has protein.

6. Simple Vegan BLT Salad

If you like the taste of liquid smoke, this salad is for you. The “B” here stands for black beans, not bacon.

7. Vegan Kale Waldorf Salad

This vegan salad has all the great aspects of a Waldorf salad, like grapes, vegan mayo, Dijon mustard, and apple. Plus, we know how amazingly healthy kale is!

8. Sprouted Green (Moong) Lentils and Peanut Salad

Savor the balance of savory lentils and the sweet, refreshing taste of citrus dressing. Complete with radishes, carrots, peanuts, onion, and cilantro, this salad is as colorful as it is delicious.

9. Lemony Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas work wonderfully in summer salads because they are refreshing and not too hearty, yet filling enough. Plus, these little legumes will help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol, add to your fiber intake, and regulate your blood sugar. Pair with lime, olive oil, cucumber, and dill for a cool summer salad.

10. Sweet Potato, Red Cabbage, and Kelp Noodle Bowl with Rich Miso Dressing

This recipe is quick to make and packs in lots of nutrition and refreshing flavor. Kelp, and other seaweed types, provide a rich source of vitamins and minerals such as iodine, magnesium, and B vitamins. You can serve this salad warm or cold.

Lead image source: Vegan Potato Salad with Cilantro, Dill, Tomatoes and Raw Mayo