This Vegan Chef Salad is a hearty, protein-packed, vegan version of the classic salad. With savory seitan turkey and veggies. It's perfect for lunches or easy weeknight dinners.
Classic chef salad is greens served with various meats, cheeses, and veggies, with a creamy dressing. This vegan version swaps many of those ingredients for tasty vegan counterparts.
Instead of turkey, this salad uses my seitan turkey recipe. The cheese is replaced with a vegan cheese (or omitted). And this vegan chef salad is drizzled with an uber creamy vegan ranch dressing.
The salad has all the flavors of a classic chef salad, just vegan.
Packed with protein and nutrient-dense!
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Why You'll Love This Vegan Chef Salad
- Vegan & high-protein - Homemade seitan turkey makes this a filling, meal-worthy salad
- Vegan version of a classic - we replace the standard turkey with my vegan seitan turkey, and swap the dressing for my vegan ranch
- Customizable - use your favorite greens, add extra veggies, or even switch up the protein
- Meal-prep ready - Prep components ahead and assemble right before serving
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Vegan Turkey or Pastrami: I used my vegan seitan turkey. For a slightly bolder flavor, use my vegan seitan pastrami. If you're gluten free, you can make my pastrami recipe using tofu instead (instructions in the recipe!). Or use a store-bought protein like Abbot's.
- Lettuce: green leaf or romaine lettuce is classic. You can also use spinach, mixed greens, or your favorite lettuce.
- Cucumbers: I used baby cucumber, but a regular cucumber works too
- Cherry Tomatoes: or chop up a larger tomato into chunks
- Red Onion
- Avocados: if you're planning to make and eat the salad all week, only slice up the avocado you'll eat within a day or two
- Vegan Croutons: feel free to buy croutons, or toast up some old bread (that's what I did here!). Or leave them out!
- Cheese: also optional. If you'd like to use cheese, use a vegan cheddar or vegan swiss. Sometimes it's easier to find vegan cheese in slices (instead of shreds) so feel free to cut a few slices.
- Dressing: I used my Vegan Ranch recipe which is made from vegan yogurt and spices - it's a delightful creamy-tangy flavor on this salad. You can also use Italian or vegan honey mustard.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. If you don't already have it made, prepare the seitan turkey. Let cool slightly and then use a serrated knife to slice thinly. Or, cut into chunks.
Step 2. Prepare your dressing. I used my vegan ranch recipe. You can also make vegan honey mustard or Italian dressing.
Step 3. Assemble the salad. On a large platter, place a bed of romaine. Top with the turkey, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, avocado, croutons, and vegan cheese. Drizzle with dressing of choice.
Pro Tip: Serve this salad in a large shallow bowl so every forkful gets a little of everything.
FAQ & Expert Tips
Feel free to mix everything except the croutons (if using) and dressing. Then dress each serving as you eat it.
This salad uses seitan, which isn't gluten-free. For a gluten-free alternative, opt for a GF/vegan protein like Abbot's - their chicken would be great on this salad.
I find the flavor and texture of warm seitan to be the best - if you're new to seitan, definitely serve it this way.
That said, I loved this salad cold and that's the way I personally eat it.
Seitan is a meat substitute made from vital wheat gluten. Various seitan recipes can be made from vital wheat gluten by varying the spices and cooking method.
Vital wheat gluten basically a flour like substance that is primarily protein. This is what makes the turkey so high in protein!
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this salad that nourishes our bodies. Allow this meal to keep us strong and healthy. Amen.
More classic vegan salads
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Chef Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Recipe Vegan Seitan Turkey or Vegan Seitan Pastrami (or half and half)
- 1 Large Head Green Leaf or Romaine Lettuce chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 Medium Baby Cucumbers or one regular cucumber
- 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 Small Red Onion chopped
- 2 Medium Avocados sliced
- 1 Cup Vegan Croutons optional
- 1 Cup Vegan Cheddar or Swiss optional
- 1 Cup Vegan Ranch (or Italian, or honey mustard)
Instructions
- If you don't already have it made, prepare the seitan turkey. Let cool slightly and then use a serrated knife to slice thinly. Or, cut into chunks.
- Prepare your dressing. I used my vegan ranch recipe. You can also make vegan honey mustard or Italian dressing.
- Assemble the salad. On a large platter, place a bed of romaine. Top with the turkey, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, avocado, croutons, and vegan cheese. Drizzle with dressing of choice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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